Lexus VP Jim Farley comments to Motor Trend
09-27-07 | 03:27 AM
#1
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Lexus VP Jim Farley comments to Motor Trend, Bloomberg
Apparently Motor Trend had dinner with Mr. Farley last night in Carmel, near Laguna Seca where the IS-F is again being shown to the press:
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6217330/...-chris-farley/
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6217330/...-chris-farley/
Lexus sells more cars per dealership in Russia and China than it does in the U.S. Surprise you? It did me. "We're huge in Russia," Farley says. "China, too. They love our cars." The same can't be said for Europe, though. "We don't have the diesels for France, Germany, Italy," Farley admits. "Just making a transmission for a diesel engine can take ten years to recoup the costs, yet that's what European buyers want." When I asked if Europe really matters that much, given the Lexus success in Asia, Farley didn't hesitate: "It is a status thing. If you want to be taken seriously as an automaker, you've got to do well in Europe." Then he cracked a sly smile: "We have some things coming that I think will impress you."
Last edited by encore888; 09-27-07 at 03:42 PM. Reason: add Bloomberg reference, as in post #16
09-27-07 | 09:07 AM
#3
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Its impressive. Lexus does so well most everywhere but they know internally Europe is still an area of opportunity. People want to be associated with success with a luxury brand.
Lexus in such a short time has become an incredible brand. I believe in the top 100 brands in the WORLD, Lexus was 90, which was above Nissan, which has been around for ages.
Their management continues to make the right decisions. THey need some aggresive ones though, for Europe.
The hybrids are doing well, lets see what else they will come up with
Lexus in such a short time has become an incredible brand. I believe in the top 100 brands in the WORLD, Lexus was 90, which was above Nissan, which has been around for ages.
Their management continues to make the right decisions. THey need some aggresive ones though, for Europe.
The hybrids are doing well, lets see what else they will come up with
09-27-07 | 10:05 AM
#6
Lexus knows what is wrong, and they are addressing it as profitably as possible. For them to enter the diesel game, with no guarantee of diesel technology's longetivity in the future, is definately foolish.
I hope they have something up their sleeves to address Europe...
I hope they have something up their sleeves to address Europe...
09-27-07 | 10:19 AM
#7
"Just making a transmission for a diesel engine can take ten years to recoup the costs, yet that's what European buyers want."
How about putting the $$$ and effort into the "Sports" division where Lexus is constantly getting beat up by the mags-that's what the Americans want
Nevertheless, Lexus is a phenomenal car company.
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09-27-07 | 10:58 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
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Lexus knows what is wrong, and they are addressing it as profitably as possible. For them to enter the diesel game, with no guarantee of diesel technology's longetivity in the future, is definately foolish.
I hope they have something up their sleeves to address Europe...
I hope they have something up their sleeves to address Europe...
That will be the quickest way... 
09-27-07 | 12:56 PM
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New info from these comments:
1. Per-dealer sales is huge in Russia and China (both have smaller #s of dealerships). Not to mention we just learned Lexus surpassed Benz in China for the top spot.
2. A diesel would take 10+ years to recoup the cost, so it's debatable how they would approach Europe.
Also if you read the whole thing, it's evident that you can take the man out of Scion, but you can't take the Scion out of the man (Mr. Farley launched Scion). He wants a Scion as a company car....imagine the Lexus head driving a Scion lol.
1. Per-dealer sales is huge in Russia and China (both have smaller #s of dealerships). Not to mention we just learned Lexus surpassed Benz in China for the top spot.
2. A diesel would take 10+ years to recoup the cost, so it's debatable how they would approach Europe.
Also if you read the whole thing, it's evident that you can take the man out of Scion, but you can't take the Scion out of the man (Mr. Farley launched Scion). He wants a Scion as a company car....imagine the Lexus head driving a Scion lol.
