Lexus confirms compact car, but not for U.S.
10-20-08, 05:52 AM
#1
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Lexus confirms compact car, but not for U.S.
New model will be positioned below the IS but is unlikely to arrive in the United States
Lexus is unlikely to launch a model positioned below the IS250 in the United States but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level car for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where premium hatchbacks sell in substantial numbers.
The carmaker’s executive vice president Tokuichi Uranishi has previously hinted that a model positioned below the current IS could be launched to help reach an internal goal of 150,000 sales in Europe by 2015. Now, the managing director for its European division, Tadashi Arashima, has confirmed in an interview with Germany’s WirtschaftsWoche newspaper that Lexus will eventually launch a new compact car.
“We will offer a Lexus in the compact class,” he told reporters, explaining that the company needs “smaller and more efficient vehicles” to meet Europe’s CO2 emissions regulations. He described the car as being a rival to the likes of BMW’s 1-series and Audi’s A3, although he didn't reveal any exact release date.
Lexus has been selling in cars in Europe since 1990 but it still commands less than 1% of the total market, something Arashima hopes to change with the introduction of a more affordable and more fuel-efficient model.
He also reaffirmed Lexus’ strategy to differentiate itself from its premium rivals by offering more hybrid models. He pointed out that the Lexus, together with Toyota, will sell between 50,000 and 60,000 hybrids this year and is expecting this level to rise to 100,000 by 2010.
http://www.motorauthority.com/lexus-...e-in-2010.html
Lexus is unlikely to launch a model positioned below the IS250 in the United States but that doesn’t mean it won’t develop a new entry-level car for other markets. One possibility is Europe, where premium hatchbacks sell in substantial numbers.
The carmaker’s executive vice president Tokuichi Uranishi has previously hinted that a model positioned below the current IS could be launched to help reach an internal goal of 150,000 sales in Europe by 2015. Now, the managing director for its European division, Tadashi Arashima, has confirmed in an interview with Germany’s WirtschaftsWoche newspaper that Lexus will eventually launch a new compact car.
“We will offer a Lexus in the compact class,” he told reporters, explaining that the company needs “smaller and more efficient vehicles” to meet Europe’s CO2 emissions regulations. He described the car as being a rival to the likes of BMW’s 1-series and Audi’s A3, although he didn't reveal any exact release date.
Lexus has been selling in cars in Europe since 1990 but it still commands less than 1% of the total market, something Arashima hopes to change with the introduction of a more affordable and more fuel-efficient model.
He also reaffirmed Lexus’ strategy to differentiate itself from its premium rivals by offering more hybrid models. He pointed out that the Lexus, together with Toyota, will sell between 50,000 and 60,000 hybrids this year and is expecting this level to rise to 100,000 by 2010.
http://www.motorauthority.com/lexus-...e-in-2010.html
10-20-08, 06:42 AM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Long overdue. I said years ago that Lexus should have a true entry-level product (perhaps done on the Corolla platform). A lot of people said no, that would hurt their so-called "image" and it wouldn't sell, citing the example of the Infiniti G20 (which, BTW, DID sell better than some thought...Infiniti brought it back after the first version was dropped).
Now, Lexus needs to bring it here as well, and not make the mistakes that BMW did with the 1-series......using the same drivetrains (and essentially the same prices) as the 3-series.
Now, Lexus needs to bring it here as well, and not make the mistakes that BMW did with the 1-series......using the same drivetrains (and essentially the same prices) as the 3-series.
10-20-08, 06:44 AM
#7
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10-20-08, 06:56 AM
#8
Speaks French in Russian
How about neither Corolla or Avensis platform. 
I'd prefer it to be based on a RWD platform. Nice that this model wuld be sold outside of the U.S. IMO it has no place here.
I'd prefer it to be based on a RWD platform. Nice that this model wuld be sold outside of the U.S. IMO it has no place here.
10-20-08, 07:21 AM
#9
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Since the IS back seat already has no room they'd better package a compact better or it might as well be a 2 seater.
10-20-08, 01:38 PM
#14
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No way it will be built on an old Scion platform. Seems Lexus management has finally decided after 20 years to take Europe more serious and conform to that market. They might sell 40k this year, 150k is unheard of for any luxury brand that is not German there.
I do hope its RWD as well and they do follow BMWs cue. Sell hatches/coupes/5 doors in Europe and bring the big engine coupes here ala the 1 series.
I do hope its RWD as well and they do follow BMWs cue. Sell hatches/coupes/5 doors in Europe and bring the big engine coupes here ala the 1 series.
10-20-08, 03:10 PM
#15
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I honestly cant imagine that it will do well, in europe hot hatches are racy and fun lexus has one fun car the isf, hot hatches are usualy turbocharged. Lexus only has one turbo motor and its in the is220d not sporty at all. A lot of hot hatces are fun fwd cars i.e mini cooper s, vw gti, peugeot 307 gti, opel astra vxr, the alfa romeo brera and mito. all those car's look fun and manage to pull it off not looking like something from the fast and furious. best of luck to lexus hope they get it right