Lexus Planning Euro 1 Series Rival? (http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/lexus/lexus-planning-euro-only-1-series-rival/)
Lexus is unlikely to launch a sub-$30,000 model in the U.S. but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level model for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where small cars like BMW’s 1-series hatch and Mercedes A and B-Class sell in substantial numbers. Toyota exec Tokuichi Uranishi has revealed that Lexus could develop a new entry-level model for Europe to help reach its European sales target of 150,000 vehicles by 2015.

During an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Uranishi explained that for Lexus to become a true rival to Mercedes-Benz and BMW, it has to strengthen its standing in Europe and to do so it will need to expand its product portfolio.

Lexus is already confirmed to launch the upcoming LF-1 flagship coupe as well as a hybrid only model and possibly a seven-seater crossover, which should see its market share in Europe rise considerably. This year, Lexus hopes to sell 56,000 vehicles in Europe, a fraction of its global target of half a million vehicles.

I hope it looks better then the 1 series....

So like.. a Lexus CS200 or something? lol.

I wonder if they'll come out with a sedan or a hatch. If it's for Europe, most likely a hatch.

I hope it does work out. One thing if they want this to work in Europe, it will have to be a diesel or diesel-hybrid. Be as reliable as any other Lexus. Still have the same quality as a regular Lexus.

Can anything that seats 5 be smaller than the IS? :confused:

Can anything that seats 5 be smaller than the IS? :confused:
Maybe they are talking about the next generation, when the new IS will get a little bigger, & the new entry-level model for Europe will be about the size of the current IS, with diesel/smaller engines ?

woot, they are making the TS (or it was called that in Holiday Auto mag)

LMAO... I hope they do this. Not that I have any problems whatsoever with the 1-series or with the idea of Lexus making a competitor... I think it's a great idea.

I just can't wait to see what the couple of people on this board who have insisted to me than Audi and BMW are not 'real' luxury brands due to the A3 and 1-series have to say when their favorite brand, Lexus, follows suit.:D

LMAO... I hope they do this. Not that I have any problems whatsoever with the 1-series or with the idea of Lexus making a competitor... I think it's a great idea.

I just can't wait to see what the couple of people on this board who have insisted to me than Audi and BMW are not 'real' luxury brands due to the A3 and 1-series have to say when their favorite brand, Lexus, follows suit.:D
You forgot Mercedes with their A & B-class ;)

IIRC, they are mainly referring to the European markets which are quite different from here. From article above, Lexus may only be planning the new entry-level model for Europe, not here ...

You mean like a Toyota Blade ?

This is sooooo not necessary.

I have my reservations about such a model, but if it is made, then I agree it should be ONLY for Europe. It would be a big mistake for other markets.

I have my reservations about such a model, but if it is made, then I agree it should be ONLY for Europe. It would be a big mistake for other markets.

Any smaller Lexus model would have to be sold worldwide - the small sales volumes in Europe wouldn't justify it otherwise.

Any smaller Lexus model would have to be sold worldwide - the small sales volumes in Europe wouldn't justify it otherwise.

Exactly why they shouldn't bother to build it in the first place. They have the unique advantage of having the Toyota brand to take care of that market.

Exactly why they shouldn't bother to build it in the first place. They have the unique advantage of having the Toyota brand to take care of that market.

I don't disagree but there's big profits in small premium hatches. Lexus could sell a sub-IS hatch for double the price of a Toyota Auris.

from what I read in Holiday Auto in Japan, they said it'll be the dimensions of the IS300 since the IS350 got a little bigger. There were always rumors that the Altezza will be revived.

Lexus has been in the Latin American market in some countries, but has not had great success, in large part due to pricing and fierce existing European competition. Infiniti keeps a Q45 in the market in Mexico and Acura has almost their full range, but it doesn't compare in the entry models with the likes of Audi and BMW, the stalwart opponents. Thus, such a vehicle would help in the way of a branding concept in many markets that might not otherwise be possible.

I don't disagree but there's big profits in small premium hatches. Lexus could sell a sub-IS hatch for double the price of a Toyota Auris.

Double the price of an Auris is the price of an IS...........

BOOOOOOOOOOOO, let Toyota continue to have this market.

Double the price of an Auris is the price of an IS...........

What and you don't think that top spec versions of any sub-IS model wouldn't overlap low spec IS models? Happens with A3s and A4s, 1-series and 3 series BMWs, not to mention B & C class Mercs.

What and you don't think that top spec versions of any sub-IS model wouldn't overlap low spec IS models? Happens with A3s and A4s, 1-series and 3 series BMWs, not to mention B & C class Mercs.
yep... and people buy executive hatches in europe, because other cars are too big for them... especially in continental europe...

Hi folks!

>> Lexus AS 200<< (http://www.cwwcardesign.com/cars/lexus_as200.html)

This is possible smaller Lexus. The real car will def. look different, but from todays design ...who knows.

I called it AS200, perhaps it will be a CS200 or what ever. For our markets there will be a 200d version.

Greetings
André

Hi folks!

>> Lexus AS 200<< (http://www.cwwcardesign.com/cars/lexus_as200.html)

That's an odd photoshop job. They used the GS grill and headlights...

That's an odd photoshop job. They used the GS grill and headlights...Odd, but not too bad :) I doubt it will look close to that though.

That's an odd photoshop job. They used the GS grill and headlights...

Nope. I just used an IS and added the small GS lights beside the grill. The chrome parts behind the batch are taken from a LS...

Any smaller Lexus model would have to be sold worldwide - the small sales volumes in Europe wouldn't justify it otherwise.

No it wouldn't. Such a small Lexus being sold worldwide would do harm to the brand image and reputation of Lexus. Lexus US executives have already said such a car would not be fit for the US market. At most, this car might be sold in Asia as well as Europe if it ever comes to production.

Or they can consider selling only the most powerful & highest spec. version here that can justify a $30K+ price tag, just like what BMW is doing with the 135i coupe . . .

That's an odd photoshop job. They used the GS grill and headlights...

hmm, I would've said ES grille...

Luxury Corolla? Only if it gets the IS350 motor like the 135i.

LOL...Well I be damned... I thought Lexus was not going down market. 3.5 litre 306hp motor in a small package is not a bad thing imo.. There is a market out there for these luxury pocket rockets. BMW 135i will be a huge hit, so other companies (like Lexus) are looking to follow suit.

The only problem I see there is that BMW doesn't have a economy brand, they have Mini if you can call that an economy brand (more like niche market). Toyota already has hatches they could toss a 3.5 V6 in and just make an executive trim level. The only thing you'd be buying at that point would be badge if it was a Lexus.

No it wouldn't. Such a small Lexus being sold worldwide would do harm to the brand image and reputation of Lexus. Lexus US executives have already said such a car would not be fit for the US market. At most, this car might be sold in Asia as well as Europe if it ever comes to production.

Lexus is almost unknown outside the U.S. and Japan. I see about one or two cars here in Germany a week. And the Toyota/Lexus headquarter is just three miles away...

Lexus needs a bigger lineup to compete with european cars. So they need a smaller vehicle in the here so called Golf-Class (Rabbit-Class). The problem: They have to compete against Toyota...and this doesn't make big sense.

And there is an Audi A1 to come...

http://www.cwwcardesign.com/cars/lexus_cs200.html

Europe is completly different... People need small cars. So if there isnt an Lexus, they will buy Audi or MB.

Also, A6 is the best selling luxury car in my country, and 80% of them that I saw, have cloth seats. Europe is different.

I agree. The European and North American markets are VERY different, which is a why a small Lexus below the IS just would not work in North America, but it would work in Europe.

I agree. The European and North American markets are VERY different, which is a why a small Lexus below the IS just would not work in North America, but it would work in Europe.
Definately.

The A-Class and 1-Series do well in Europe. Most drivers in Europe are "enthusiasts" compared to Americans, and want a light sporty car instead of a hefty big one. Of course, the rich will always want it bigger and better, but smaller German cars do much better for more people. MB and BMW do well with small luxo-sport cars because of their history and functionality, which by those standards are "luxurious."

As far as America is concerned, everyone wants it "bigger." Caddys and Hummers rule the roads. Light and sporty is nice, but people want something that has presence and comfort. I doubt that anything smaller than the IS will work in the U.S, unless if it's badged with Toyota/Scion instead of Lexus. Lexus will not do well with small luxo-sport cars because Americans percieve luxury and prestige with "bigger and better"...

Toyota already has hatches they could toss a 3.5 V6 in and just make an executive trim level. The only thing you'd be buying at that point would be badge if it was a Lexus.

They do and they have. Toyota puts a slightly de-tuned IS350 engine in the Auris for the Japanese market. I take it no-one here would be interested in a sub-IS compact with a 300+ hp V6 engine in - a la Audi S3?

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/226749/