Some Luxury Buyers Downshift to Hyundai Genesis
#137
Lexus Champion
That roof line looks like it'll be very MB CLS or VW CC-ish. If it follows the pattern that the Genesis sedan and coupe have been following, this should also be a hit.
#138
Lexus Fanatic
#139
Lexus Champion
honestly I don't think Genesis customers are cross shopping E, 5, or the GS. They are cross shopping the TL, ES, 3, and C-class. The reason the Genesis has a chance is because it more powerful, bigger, and has decent quality. I think people look at this car because maybe they don't want the cheapest BMW, Benz and Lexus... I don't think the Genesis has any identity...
#141
Lexus Test Driver
My girl saw one in black one last night; when we stepped out of my car.....
Me- Hey Babe what do car do you think that is? pointing to the genesis
Her- A Merecedes?..no wait!...a Lexus huh
Me- It's a Hyundai
Her-WTF? ...damn it looks really nice
Me-
Me- Hey Babe what do car do you think that is? pointing to the genesis
Her- A Merecedes?..no wait!...a Lexus huh
Me- It's a Hyundai
Her-WTF? ...damn it looks really nice
Me-
#143
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#144
Guest
Posts: n/a
No, this is wrong. "German" cars have an almost mythical status in Asia, especilly in Japan and South Korea. Anyone willing to make a statement of their wealth goes and buys a German luxury sedan. They are from the "land of the Autobahn", they are perceived as having superior engineering, however fair or unfair that may be. Lexus and Acura have tanked in Japan, even with all it's nationalistic pride. The same holds true in S. Korea as well, who have absorbent import tarrifs to subsidize Hyundai.
Here's a great Business Week piece
Why Toyota's luxury lineup is getting little traction at home—while German brands remain an obsession
Here's a great Business Week piece
Why Toyota's luxury lineup is getting little traction at home—while German brands remain an obsession
Japan is very very brand oriented. Thanks for the link.
#146
I didn't know Businessweek was the authority on consumer sentiment in Japan?
Seriously though, I have a hard time taking articles like that very seriously considering the author probably spoke to 5 different Japanese people including his co-author, not to mention this article is over a year old and sentiments can change considerably over that time.
Seriously though, I have a hard time taking articles like that very seriously considering the author probably spoke to 5 different Japanese people including his co-author, not to mention this article is over a year old and sentiments can change considerably over that time.
#147
Guest
Posts: n/a
I didn't know Businessweek was the authority on consumer sentiment in Japan?
Seriously though, I have a hard time taking articles like that very seriously considering the author probably spoke to 5 different Japanese people including his co-author, not to mention this article is over a year old and sentiments can change considerably over that time.
Seriously though, I have a hard time taking articles like that very seriously considering the author probably spoke to 5 different Japanese people including his co-author, not to mention this article is over a year old and sentiments can change considerably over that time.
For one Toyota has more market share than Honda+Nissan.
They are very very brand oriented, even shunning their own home luxury brand Lexus for now. The LS was the first Lexus to be in very high demand.
Japan is aging.
Japan is 99% Japanese with about 250k Brazillians, the largest minority.
Japan's youth are shunning cars creating a huge problem for carmakers.
The electronics in Japanese cars shame what we have.
Getting back to the Genesis consumer tastes as you stated can change quickly. If the economy gets back rolling, the Genesis could be undesirable as people would rather their "badges".
I'm curious can they hold on to around 1000-1500 units a month.
#148
Lexus Champion
honestly I don't think Genesis customers are cross shopping E, 5, or the GS. They are cross shopping the TL, ES, 3, and C-class. The reason the Genesis has a chance is because it more powerful, bigger, and has decent quality. I think people look at this car because maybe they don't want the cheapest BMW, Benz and Lexus... I don't think the Genesis has any identity...
#150
Super Moderator
The LS is doing really well in Japan though, also the IS, and their numbers/market share will look better in Japan with the RX officially a Lexus this year, they will become more prominent in Japan when they add more Lexus models.