Late last year, Toyota Motor North America CEO Jim Lentz suggested the automaker, after taking stock of its inventory, might cut some struggling product from its store shelves. It now seems on the verge of adding a new one.
Bound for a Detroit debut, the company’s Lexus LC Convertible Concept is not a way-out pipe dream unveiled by an automaker hoping to generate buzz with an inch-deep piece of vaporware. Instead, it is simply the division’s high-zoot LC coupe, sans roof. And all of the wording surrounding the car screams that production is nearly inevitable — so long as the public responds favorably.
Toyota says the drop-top Lexus suggests the “future direction” of its flagship car, providing a detailed list of specifications to underscore what the concept has to offer (length grows by four-tenths of an inch, and that’s about it). An accompanying video superimposes phrases like “Too powerful to ignore” over seductive angles of the vehicle’s body and innards. Yes, the vestigial rear seat remains.
The company’s intentions aren’t subtle. Toyota even goes as far as calling it an “aspirational halo vehicle,” all but shouting that it wants buyers interested in a high-end drop-top that doesn’t hail from Germany.
Available in LC 500 and LC 500h hybrid form, the LC line starts at $93,225 (after delivery) for a coupe boasting 471 horsepower from its 5.0-liter V8, with power routed to the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission. Springing for the hybrid drops horsepower and raises the price. Entry price for the hybrid’s 354 hp and odd multi-stage tranny is $97,735, and it’s easy to see a convertible LC retailing for over $100k to start.
While Lentz’s November comments hinted at a product cull, his words can be interpreted as Toyota seeking to put extra effort behind certain models. “We are taking a hard look at all of the segments that we compete in to make sure we are competing in profitable segments and that products we sell have strategic value,” Lentz said.
As a high-tech, high-priced flagship, the LC has strategic value. It’s the company’s only grand tourer and, in this form, it would be the company’s only convertible.
Lexus needs a new reason for buyers to check out, and maybe slide into, its slinky two-door. Despite going on sale in early 2017, last year’s sales fell 20 percent below that of its first, truncated year on the market. Lexus moved 1,979 LCs in 2018 compared to 2017’s 2,487, and December’s sales show a 48 percent year-over-year decline. Is the LC in trouble? That depends on the brand’s expectations for the model, but falling sales and the appearance of this “concept” points to dissatisfaction among company brass.
If the automaker doesn’t built this convertible, one wonders what that means for the model’s future.
[Image: Toyota]
This is what Lexus needs to do to elevate the brand. They may not profit from it now, but the future will bring great rewards.
2015 Lexus sales 344,601
2018 Lexus sales 298,310
Slow Death.
You need more words to back up that statement…..nothing about their sales figures suggests a slow death..
All of that difference can be attributed to the now defunct CT and the older than dirt IS and GS…
CT sales 2015 – 14,657, CT sales 2018 – 0
IS sales 2015 – 46,430, IS sales 2018 – 22,927
GS sales 2015 – 23,117, GS sales 2018 – 6,604
I think it’s a bit early to be thinking of any funeral arrangements.
thejohnycanuck
But 2018 was the first full year on the market for the LC, 3 row RX, redesigned ES & LS. Plus Lexus dropped the price of the Hybrid NX & RX. Sales were still down.
Oh, forgot to mention 35,524 of those Lexuses were sold off the discount rack in December
That means nothing without knowing how many sold of the Discount Rack in December 2015.
Well if your selling an average of 24,000 vehicles a month and sales spike to 35,000 for end of year close outs. At the same time everyone else is trying to reduce their inventory. That tells me Lexus and their Dealerships putting a lot of cash on the hoods in December. Looking at which models had a big sales spike in December ES, LS & NX. My guess is dealerships will be stocking less of those this year.
Maybe it’s the grille and not the car that’s keeping buyers away
Maybe buyers are getting old and starting to die off in mass.
Mr. Gazis sir, a new 100k car or a 24yo with 100k in student loan debt? Neither! I’ll retire on time.
@lie2me They are stunning when seen in the wild and yes, the grill works on this design.
Retro’s in, 90’s are in…Give me the Supra wrapped in an Original SC300/400 looking body.
As long as Lexus still builds a V8
Stunning. I want one.