LexFather

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03...and-in-europe/


When I (an American) think about the Lexus brand, the first thing that comes to mind is not its hybrid option. In Europe, it seems Lexus and hybrid are synonymous because a Lexus official told the BBC, "Hybrid is Lexus brand defining technology." We have written about the increasing Lexus hybrid sales in Europe over the years and even the shocker that hybrid Lexus vehicles were outselling the gas versions 4-to-1 in Europe. Sainsbury's chief executive, Justin King, gave up his Maserati Quattroporte for a hybrid Lexus. Overall, though, Europeans still love diesel and aren't big fans of hybrids. Also, and you might find this hard to believe (he wrote sarcastically) but Europe already has one (or two?) luxury car brands.

So, why is the Lexus hybrid doing well in Europe when hybrids and even Lexus is not doing well? Complete lack of competition! "Only Lexus has hybrid, and we have three while others have yet to launch one" the Lexus company official said. Lexus was the only hybrid we could recommend to Yoko Ono when she lamented the lack of a comfortable hybrid because, as the BBC notes, Audi, BMW and Mercedes don't currently sell a hybrid.

So, word to GM and Ford (two companies apprehensive about hybrids in Europe), here's how you get hybrids to work in Europe: make them high-end. Diesel is "a more honest technology" than the hybrid system, said BMW's outgoing sales and marketing director, Stefan Krause. Still, we'd rather see a hybrid BMW on the sales lot than more concepts.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think the fight between diesel and hybrid in europe is going to be a very interesting (and important) one

Lexmex

Well, it definitely helps Lexus stand out.

SLegacy99

I think the S class hybrid will stir things up.

Nextourer

Well the RX is selling well cause it's the only SUV hybrid lol. (That and in the UK, it's exempt from Congestion Charges)

RXSF

diesel will probably win at the end especially with bluetec appearing in Merc an VW models. sooner or later, audi and bmw will catch on.

lexus really has to start making cleaner diesels as well

Sens4Miles

At almost $5.00/gallon, you really think diesel will win over hybrids?
I think anything diesel is a waste of time at this point. The fuel is way too expensive to offset any of the additional MPG gains. If the Germans (and Lexus for that matter) want to continue developing more diesels, they need to be in the form of diesel-hybrids. Otherwise, it does not make a bit of sense to use them over petrol when they are more polluting and do not provide savings at the pump.

Their main focus at this point should be on Plug-In hybrids. Diesel anything is old school technology and would be a waste of R&D money for them. The best option for fuel savings and lower emissions are Plug-Ins

RXSF

old habbits are hard to change. Diesel is and has been popular in Europe for ages. Im pretty sure Diesel is still the winner in terms of gas mileage and cost of running a car.

in the eyes of europeans, their petrol is way more epensive, i think it comes close to $7 a gallon US, so i think diesel will win over there.

i agree that diesels and hybrids are not the long term solutions, but in order to reach a final solution, many steps have to be taken, and clean diesels is one of them

@lpher

In my part of europe...dieselprices are now about the same as for regular petrol...

JessePS

hydrogen-plug in-hybrid would be interesting to see from Lexus muahaha.

Nextourer

Here, diesel is about the price of midgrade.

LexFather

I have a feeling the new hybrid only Lexus coming out next year is going to sell like hotcakes in Europe.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

personally i think that's their main target. i think it'd going to be interesting to see how that car does here in the US

RXSF

i woul think well. many middle to upper middle class families would love a high mileage oriented hybrid that had the lexus name plate. not everyone wants to drive a toyota prius, so a lexus prius should do quite nicely.

whoster

Even Top Gear has resorted to using the RX400h as their chase vehicle in the segments filmed in the City due to the Congestion Charge exemption.