http://www.sys-con.com/read/358481.htm

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/05/07 -- For the second straight year, Porsche earned the top score as the most prestigious luxury automobile brand in the 2007 Luxury Brand Status Index (LBSI) survey from the independent New York-based Luxury Institute. Mercedes and Lexus tied for second place; BMW was rated third.

Porsche retains #1, Lexus moves up from #3 to tie Mercedes...

Survey methodology:
A national sample of over 1,600 wealthy American consumers, with an average income of $313K, and average net worth of $3.3 million, was surveyed online. Survey results are weighted to match demographic and net worth profiles of the same audience according to the latest Survey of Consumer Finances from The Federal Reserve.

Basically a multimillionaire's club only survey...:cool:

Not what I would've expected from the results. I expect the super wealthy to drive MBZ/BMW/Exotics/Bentley/etc. more often than a Lexus. How many of the Rich and Famous drive a Lexus? You don't see any on MTV's "Cribs" either. :D

Hehe, well research shows that the actual multimillionaires in the US are more low-key than the bling-bling celebs you see on MTV Cribs. :) Still, they like prestigious brands--Louis Vuitton, Rolex, etc. And they recommend Lexus. :thumbup:

Yes, that is true. I'm willing to bet a large percentage of the millionaires are more frugal with their money (hence why they are wealthy). Still, I expected them to be in MBZ. In my part of California (OC), more millionaires seem to drive MBZ. I'm basing this on where their houses and where they live. It's hard to tell who's a millionaire by what they drive, it's easier to tell by the house they own. ;)

Well OC is supposedly the only county left in the nation where Mercedes still outsells Lexus. But with Newport Lexus open and other increases occurring, the market is going to get even more competitive.

Actually though research suggests that most multimillionaires own 2 or more cars, so there's room for Porsche for the weekends and a Lexus or Mercedes or some other brand for the daily driver.

It's pretty amazing how far Lexus has risen up the pack. In 2005, the tops were Benz-Porsche-BMW-Jaguar and Lexus jumped in for 2006 and now up in 2007.

Big news for Lexus from a prestige standpoint. A 150k LF-A sounding feasible!

Well OC is supposedly the only county left in the nation where Mercedes still outsells Lexus. But with Newport Lexus open and other increases occurring, the market is going to get even more competitive.

Actually though research suggests that most multimillionaires own 2 or more cars, so there's room for Porsche for the weekends and a Lexus or Mercedes or some other brand for the daily driver.

It's pretty amazing how far Lexus has risen up the pack. In 2005, the tops were Benz-Porsche-BMW-Jaguar and Lexus jumped in for 2006 and now up in 2007.

Interesting info, good to know. I do see more Lexus on the road today than I did only a couple of years ago. I see quite a few new LS460s here as well.

Yes, that is true. I'm willing to bet a large percentage of the millionaires are more frugal with their money (hence why they are wealthy). Still, I expected them to be in MBZ. In my part of California (OC), more millionaires seem to drive MBZ. I'm basing this on where their houses and where they live. It's hard to tell who's a millionaire by what they drive, it's easier to tell by the house they own. ;)

Yes, its very noteworthy that many rich people here in Orange County aren't even into cars. Sure, Porsches and other prestigious marquees are a dime a dozen but many of these rich people also drive more mundane vehicles such as Camry's and such. If you go down to Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach where harbor-front homes go for up to 20 million dollars, you see Lexus RX's and Camrys allover parked on their driveways too. Also, another really popular car for the rich down in Newport and neighboring upper-class enclaves is the Prius. It is not uncommon in Newport Beach to find a Prius parked in a driveway of a harbor-front house with a 40 foot yatch docked on the other side of the house.

I think it was already posted the average American millionare drives a Toyota (not Lexus)

I'm guessing the LS600hL had something to do with this
surprising and somewhat shocking result. It has been stated
by quite a few publications that this car has been generating
quite a buzz in priviledged circles.

I'm guessing the LS600hL had something to do with this
surprising and somewhat shocking result. It has been stated
by quite a few publications that this car has been generating
quite a buzz in priviledged circles.

definetly agree, w/o hybrids Lexus would not have been able to rank so high. It's possible 10yrs from now America buyers will consider Lexus higher than MB.

Not what I would've expected from the results. I expect the super wealthy to drive MBZ/BMW/Exotics/Bentley/etc. more often than a Lexus. How many of the Rich and Famous drive a Lexus? You don't see any on MTV's "Cribs" either. :D

I've seen a couple of Lexus on Cribs (SC430) ;) Of course there will always be the big British cars to show off wealth along with the racy Italians.

Yes, that is true. I'm willing to bet a large percentage of the millionaires are more frugal with their money (hence why they are wealthy). Still, I expected them to be in MBZ. In my part of California (OC), more millionaires seem to drive MBZ. I'm basing this on where their houses and where they live. It's hard to tell who's a millionaire by what they drive, it's easier to tell by the house they own. ;)
There are several celebs with Lexus, they most drive the RX400h though

Lexus tied with MB oy vey!

very interesting, indeed i would expect some other brands ahead as well. but it's definitelyg ood news!

I belive the article. When I used to work as a personal assistant for an artist in Santa Monica and Malibu I would meet some very wealthy people and the cars that you see them usually drive is just like any other car the general population drives. Although during the weekends you do sometimes see people in Ferrari's and Bentleys but its not as often as you would think.

Very nice to see Lexus climbing its way up the prestige totem among the wealthy.:thumbup: Who cares what MTVs feature?:p OK maybe the halo effect from the wealthy will eventually propagate down to the MTVs as well.

I'm pretty sure Lexus edge in reliability caused them to catch up with Benz. If Benz doesn't wake up they will be left behind. Far behind.

I guess there's been some Lexus I have missed on Cribs. Guess I haven't been watching that much lately. :D

Apparently, some diehard germ fanboys can't accept Lexus being prestigious on Autospies.

I've stated before, some people cannot accept that Lexus is true tier one competition. Which is fine, they are just missing out. :)