Comments on: Lexus Going Nowhere Fast in Japan http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/ The Truth About Cars is dedicated to providing candid, unbiased automobile reviews and the latest in auto industry news. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:08:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: argentla http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-256812 argentla Mon, 24 Mar 2008 19:06:58 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-256812 A number of years ago Lexus sued a bunch of gray-market importers who were buying JHM Toyotas with right-hand drive, adding Lexus badges (purchased over the parts counter) and selling them in the UK. The charge was that these importers were committing fraud! The irony is pronounced. A number of years ago Lexus sued a bunch of gray-market importers who were buying JHM Toyotas with right-hand drive, adding Lexus badges (purchased over the parts counter) and selling them in the UK. The charge was that these importers were committing fraud! The irony is pronounced.

]]> By: marc http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-256302 marc Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:01:49 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-256302 So this story is really making the rounds. First off, it is not a new story. Toyota lowered the projected sales for Lexus quite early on, realizing that they had a dearth of product and a slowing auto economy. The current projected sales are 40K a year, so Lexus actually came quite close to it. The article also fails to mention that Lexus sales are actually right in line with the Euro brands. BMW sells highest at about 45K, but Merc is around 30K and Audi trails at 15K. In fact Lexus outsold Merc in Jauary (app. 3000 to 2300), despite, as the article claims, its January sales being so low. So what is really going on here? Either a slow news day at BusinessWeek or an agenda???... So this story is really making the rounds. First off, it is not a new story.

Toyota lowered the projected sales for Lexus quite early on, realizing that they had a dearth of product and a slowing auto economy. The current projected sales are 40K a year, so Lexus actually came quite close to it.

The article also fails to mention that Lexus sales are actually right in line with the Euro brands. BMW sells highest at about 45K, but Merc is around 30K and Audi trails at 15K. In fact Lexus outsold Merc in Jauary (app. 3000 to 2300), despite, as the article claims, its January sales being so low.

So what is really going on here? Either a slow news day at BusinessWeek or an agenda???…

]]> By: GS650G http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-255412 GS650G Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:58:39 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-255412 I road in a 1995 Soarer back in 1996, a SC300 with japanese drive. Great car, made me want one stateside. They have strange names for cars there, like Bluebird for Nissan's flagship and ED for one of Toyota's Japan only brands. I can't see American men buying a car with an name like ED. I road in a 1995 Soarer back in 1996, a SC300 with japanese drive. Great car, made me want one stateside. They have strange names for cars there, like Bluebird for Nissan’s flagship and ED for one of Toyota’s Japan only brands. I can’t see American men buying a car with an name like ED.

]]> By: willbodine http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-255042 willbodine Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:31:17 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-255042 Well 38,000 units in a country of 125 million isn't exactly diddly squat. Toyota/Lexus is in it for the long haul. To be continued... Well 38,000 units in a country of 125 million isn’t exactly diddly squat. Toyota/Lexus is in it for the long haul. To be continued…

]]> By: BlueBrat http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254952 BlueBrat Mon, 24 Mar 2008 01:39:16 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254952 This is very interesting I think, especially the <em>Lexus is too Japanese for his tastes… 'Foreign brands have more individuality.'"</em> comment from the Japanese fellow. I guess this just re-enforces the "Lexus is for people who hate to drive" statement that I love quoting. But I guess that while I do think they offer a very good luxury ride quality, it's almost too placid and dulled to boredome, eh. Is this re-badging & price-point issue the reason why Acura doesn't exist in Japan? This is very interesting I think, especially the Lexus is too Japanese for his tastes… ‘Foreign brands have more individuality.’” comment from the Japanese fellow. I guess this just re-enforces the “Lexus is for people who hate to drive” statement that I love quoting. But I guess that while I do think they offer a very good luxury ride quality, it’s almost too placid and dulled to boredome, eh.

Is this re-badging & price-point issue the reason why Acura doesn’t exist in Japan?

]]> By: quasimondo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254492 quasimondo Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:50:50 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254492 <em>The 20% bit sounds good, alas it’s not strictly true. Although the SC430 was indeed sold as the Toyota Soarer, the current generation of both the GS and the IS arrived in Japan directly as Lexuses.</em> People aren't stupid. Even with the redesign, they know the IS is an Altezza, plus a 20 percent markup. There was no significant increase in the price of the IS, GS, or SC in the American market when those cars were redesigned, so how can Toyota expect their home market to buy when it looks like they're charging you more for a badge change? The 20% bit sounds good, alas it’s not strictly true. Although the SC430 was indeed sold as the Toyota Soarer, the current generation of both the GS and the IS arrived in Japan directly as Lexuses.

People aren’t stupid. Even with the redesign, they know the IS is an Altezza, plus a 20 percent markup. There was no significant increase in the price of the IS, GS, or SC in the American market when those cars were redesigned, so how can Toyota expect their home market to buy when it looks like they’re charging you more for a badge change?

]]> By: SkiD666 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254482 SkiD666 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:03:09 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254482 Toyota sales were down 7% in Japan last year, maybe there should be a Toyota/Lexus death watch series. Toyota sales were down 7% in Japan last year, maybe there should be a Toyota/Lexus death watch series.

]]> By: plribault http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254452 plribault Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:26:25 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254452 The 20% bit sounds good, alas it's not strictly true. Although the SC430 was indeed sold as the Toyota Soarer, the current generation of both the GS and the IS arrived in Japan directly as Lexuses. If, as mentioned, those three cars did not take the market by storm, the LS is doing quite well against the S Class, the king of the luxobarge niche. The Merc is most often seen in top spec models because <em>they are the most expensive and that is the entire point of buying one</em> for a lot of the show off types that make the customer base for the german brands in Japan. That's what "individuality" means in the quote above. With the LS600h, which takes the spot of most expensive japanese car on the market, there is at last an opportunity for those guys to throw a load of cash at a japanese car and not being laughed off the golf club car park by their german-equipped peers. This is an important starting point. The brand cachet (pardon my french) will eventually cascade down the social ladder from there. Toyota can afford to wait some years... The 20% bit sounds good, alas it’s not strictly true. Although the SC430 was indeed sold as the Toyota Soarer, the current generation of both the GS and the IS arrived in Japan directly as Lexuses.
If, as mentioned, those three cars did not take the market by storm, the LS is doing quite well against the S Class, the king of the luxobarge niche. The Merc is most often seen in top spec models because they are the most expensive and that is the entire point of buying one for a lot of the show off types that make the customer base for the german brands in Japan. That’s what “individuality” means in the quote above.
With the LS600h, which takes the spot of most expensive japanese car on the market, there is at last an opportunity for those guys to throw a load of cash at a japanese car and not being laughed off the golf club car park by their german-equipped peers. This is an important starting point. The brand cachet (pardon my french) will eventually cascade down the social ladder from there. Toyota can afford to wait some years…

]]> By: quasimondo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254402 quasimondo Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:11:38 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254402 Jurisb, Altered nomenclature with a 20-percent increase in price? If Cadillac did that you'd be all over them. Oh, wait... Jurisb,

Altered nomenclature with a 20-percent increase in price? If Cadillac did that you’d be all over them.

Oh, wait…

]]> By: shaker http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254352 shaker Sun, 23 Mar 2008 12:29:47 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254352 The sales of Harley Davidsons are pretty respectable there, as well, as it's a sign of one's wealth (and eclectic tastes?). I've got nothing against "Altezza" taillights per se, but they just look like crap on some cars. The sales of Harley Davidsons are pretty respectable there, as well, as it’s a sign of one’s wealth (and eclectic tastes?).
I’ve got nothing against “Altezza” taillights per se, but they just look like crap on some cars.

]]> By: carlisimo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254302 carlisimo Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:55:05 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254302 Altezza = IS Windom = ES Aristo = GS Celsior = LS Soarer = SC Harrier = RX Land Cruiser Prado = GX Land Cruiser Cygnus = LX But yeah, the IS was one of the first cars to come with transparent taillights, so people outside of Japan started calling them "altezzas" and the name stuck. Given that they've become common on many cars (stock), Toyota can be proud of having actually affected car design. Altezza = IS
Windom = ES
Aristo = GS
Celsior = LS
Soarer = SC
Harrier = RX
Land Cruiser Prado = GX
Land Cruiser Cygnus = LX

But yeah, the IS was one of the first cars to come with transparent taillights, so people outside of Japan started calling them “altezzas” and the name stuck. Given that they’ve become common on many cars (stock), Toyota can be proud of having actually affected car design.

]]> By: jurisb http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254282 jurisb Sun, 23 Mar 2008 06:38:37 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254282 quasimondo- lexus is not rebadging in Japan, they just have altered nomenclature, because japanese don`t like these short letter abbreviations. Don`t you think Altezza sounds better than GS? By the way, altezza name is used for transparent taillights with chrome lamp housing inside, and was started in Toyota Altezza. Imagine tuners bragging around that they have bought an aftermarket gs taillights? Let`s leave these boring names to germans, and those who chase them, or think, they are chasing them. quasimondo- lexus is not rebadging in Japan, they just have altered nomenclature, because japanese don`t like these short letter abbreviations. Don`t you think Altezza sounds better than GS? By the way, altezza name is used for transparent taillights with chrome lamp housing inside, and was started in Toyota Altezza. Imagine tuners bragging around that they have bought an aftermarket gs taillights? Let`s leave these boring names to germans, and those who chase them, or think, they are chasing them.

]]> By: carlisimo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254232 carlisimo Sun, 23 Mar 2008 05:29:05 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254232 Another problem is that in Japan, even downmarket brand dealerships treat you the way Lexus does here. It's harder for Lexus to distinguish themselves in that way, over there. Another problem is that in Japan, even downmarket brand dealerships treat you the way Lexus does here. It’s harder for Lexus to distinguish themselves in that way, over there.

]]> By: casper00 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254192 casper00 Sun, 23 Mar 2008 04:59:06 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254192 Lexus has nothing to lose, if they are not doing good in Japan, no problem they can always revert back. I think Lexus is just testing waters. Lexus has nothing to lose, if they are not doing good in Japan, no problem they can always revert back. I think Lexus is just testing waters.

]]> By: John R http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254162 John R Sun, 23 Mar 2008 02:58:13 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254162 Hopefully Ghosn is watching this as he plans on bringing Infiniti to Japan. Hopefully Ghosn is watching this as he plans on bringing Infiniti to Japan.

]]> By: quasimondo http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowhere-fast-in-japan/comment-page-1/#comment-254062 quasimondo Sun, 23 Mar 2008 01:08:04 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lexus-going-nowwhere-fast-in-japan/#comment-254062 Selling a rebadged Aristo as the GS, a rebadged Soarer as the SC, and a rebadged Altezza as the IS. I would've hoped that ToMoCo had realized the pitfalls of badge engineering after watching what GM did. So much for arguments about purity of origin... Selling a rebadged Aristo as the GS, a rebadged Soarer as the SC, and a rebadged Altezza as the IS. I would’ve hoped that ToMoCo had realized the pitfalls of badge engineering after watching what GM did.

So much for arguments about purity of origin…

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