LexFather

Its great that we still have high expectations for Lexus and we still want MORE. It seems the biggest wants are more "F" cars, more coupes and more hybrids. Sometimes though, I think some of us forget just how far this company has come in such a short time, especially when you look at other brands in disarray or with small product lines year after year after year. Lexus is still far behind in the volume of models and engines offered by the Germans, especially if you include Europe. This company had 2 sedans 20 years ago only

Please feel free to add your thoughts and any "expansions" I missed (or correct me).

1989 (2 sedans, 2 engine choices)
ES 250
LS 400
1992 (2 sedans, 1 coupe, 4 engine choices)
ES 300
LS 400
SC 300/400
1993 (3 sedans, 1 coupe, 4 engine choices)
ES 300
GS 300
LS 400
SC 300/400
1996 ( 3 sedans, 1 coupe, 1 SUV, 4 engine choices)
ES 300
GS 300
LS 400
SC 300/400
LX 450
1998 (3 sedans, 1 coupe, 1 SUV, 4 engine choices)
ES 300
GS 300/400 gained V-8 option
LS 400
SC 300/400
LX 470
1999 (3 sedans, 1 coupe, 2 SUVs, 4 engine choices)
ES 300
GS 300/400
LS 400
SC 300/400
RX 300
LX 470
2001 (4 sedans, 1 coupe, 2 SUVs, 6 engine choices)
IS 300
ES 300
GS 300/430
LS 430
SC 300/400
RX 300
LX 470
2001 (4 sedans, 1 coupe, 1 wagon, 2 SUVs, 6 engine choices)
IS 300
ES 300
GS 300/430
LS 430
SC 300/400
RX 300
LX 470
2003 (4 sedans, 1 coupe/vert, 1 wagon, 3 SUVs, 5 engine choices)
IS 300/sportcross
ES 330
GS 300/430
LS 430
SC 430
RX 330
GX 470
LX 470
Looking back now, we saw the multiple concepts at auto shows and when L-finesse debuted with the 3GS...it signaled not just a styling change with the company but taking the company another level. Look at how much as been added to Lexus since 2006.
2006 (4 sedans, 1 coupe/convert, 3 SUVs, 8 engine choices)
IS 220d(Europe)/250/350 awd option
ES 330
GS 300/430 awd option
LS 430
SC 430
RX 330/400h first hybrid
GX 470
LX 470
2007 (4 sedans, 1 coupe/convert, 3 SUVs, 9 engine choices)
IS 220d(Europe)/250/350 awd option F-sport parts
ES 350
GS 350/430/450h 2nd hybrid
LS 460/600h L SWB/LWB 3rd hybrid
SC 430
RX 350/400h
GX 470
LX 470
2008 (4 sedans, 1 coupe/covert, 3 SUVs, 11 engine choices)
IS 220d (Europe)/250/350/IS-F awd option, F sport option, "F" line
ES 350
GS 350/450h/460 2nd hybrid
LS 460/600h L SWB/LWB 3rd hybrid
SC 430
RX 350/400h
GX 470
LX 570
2010 (5 sedans, 2 coupe/converts, 3 SUVs, 13 engine choices)
IS 220d (europe)/250/350/IS-F/IS C awd option, F sport option, "F" line, coupe convert
HS 250h 4th hybrid
ES 240 (china)/ES 350
GS 350/450h/460 2nd hybrid F sport option
LS 460/600h L SWB/LWB 3rd hybrid sport option
SC 430
RX 350/450h
GX 460
LX 570
(2010 debuts new RX, HS, GX & facelifted GSh, LS, ES, very busy year)
2011 projected (5 sedans, 1 supercar coupe, 2 coupe/converts, 3 SUVs, 12 engine choices)
IS 250/350/IS-F/IS C awd option, F sport option, "F" line, coupe convert
HS 250h 4th hybrid
ES 350
GS 350/450h/460 2nd hybrid F sport option
LS 460/600h L SWB/LWB 3rd hybrid sport option
SC 430
LFA
RX 350/450h
GX 460
LX 570

This is pretty simplified. I didn't mention Coach/Platinum/Neiman Marcus/Pebble Beach and other special edition cars....can we name them all?

Amazingly in 20 years, the only vehicle discontinued never to return is the IS 300 sportcross!

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Faymester

what about ... an ISF Sportcross!

Jewcano

iTrader: (4)

Check your 01 models again .

There was no SC300/400 in 2001.....

lex

there was no RX450h in 2006. it was 400h

LexFather

Thanks edited........

encore888

Hehe the fact that it's getting hard to keep track of all the Lexus models now offered, and that there are variants that only certain markets get and not others--this shows the globalization of Lexus. More variants, more models...just a few years back we were thinking about 'oh wow, the letter 'h' is here' and how that would be the performance marque potentially...

...now we run the gamut from the standard models, to the h models, to the F line, and with L models, more Ultra Luxury/Premium packages, etc.--spoiled for choice. It's like seeing the sequel to a really good first movie in a trilogy--the first set things up, got a teaser for what's to come--and now we are seeing the diversification and more possibilities than ever before.

That being said, there are some caveats--for instance, with more choice comes more controversy, there are now more models to like and more to dislike, for whatever reason; also, it's harder to maintain reliability leadership with all the variations, statistically when they only had the LS and ES, they had a simpler time refining the models and putting Lexus at the top of the charts.

Now with so many different models, cycles, and so on it's a similar effort to get Lexus into the top 5, but they still are usually able to do it. Overall, I am looking forward to the models Lexus comes up with next.

jaseman

I still think of Lexus as just a rebadged Toyota. A very nice one, but a Toyota none the less.

So it's not really 100% correct to say that they have grown so much in the last 20 years, or don't offer the same amount of variants as their German counterparts. It's just that, in many markets, Toyota just choses to badge (or re-badge depending on the car) certain cars with the "L" brand. The same can be said for Acura and Infinity as well.

If the Japanese had felt, 20-odd years ago, that the American market would have accepted Toyota, Honda, or Nissan as a luxury marque, the landscape might look totally different. Instead of an ES, we would just have a base Camery, as a very luxurious one as an option. Now, it makes sense to have a separate upscale marque, but it's still just a Toyota.

We, theoretically, could be having the same conversation if Mercedees had decided to market a lower-end brand in the U.S. to compete with Honda, Ford, or Chevy.

So realistically, while the Lexus brand itself has grown, the line-up of cars offered by Toyota has not grown any more or less than the other manufacturers.

Just something to think about...

encore888

While the rebadged Toyota bit can be debated about for a number of Lexus models, the LS has always been designed as a Lexus first. It was only badged as a Toyota for JDM markets after the fact, when local dealers wanted to sell the model domestically. And since the current generation, the GS, IS, RX models have been designed and sold only as Lexus models...not rebadges. These vehicles have been produced in the dedicated Lexus design facilities, etc.; the LS has no major shared components with Toyota models.

The ES is more unclear, given its shared Camry platform and former Windom equivalent, along with the HS and its Sai equivalent, while the GX and LX have Land Cruiser counterparts. However, the fact remains that the actual Lexus-only lineup has grown and expanded, and is not simply a matter of repurposing models to the L line.

LexFather

In looking at your posts, you seem to be relatively new to the brand, thus your misconceptions in your post.
Which reminds me I have to add the IS 200 which debuted in Europe in 1998....yes, as a Lexus with a new dedicated platform. Do not confuse it being called an "Altezza" in Japan as it being a rebadge for instance, nothing could be further from the truth. Another example is the GS was called the Aristo in Japan and there it had 4WS as an option, a turbo option and no V-8 option.

I strongly suggest reading "the Lexus Story".

jaseman

Being that the ES, HS, GX and LX all have Toyota counterparts, that means that roughly 40% of the Lexus model line-up has some shared platform across the the two marques.

I'm not saying that Lexus' offerings haven't grown greatly, just that, the we wouldn't have the nameplate had Toyota felt they could sell luxury to the American market two decades ago as a Toyota (again, same as Honda/Acura or Nissan/Infinity). So essentially, it's still Toyota building cars, unlike someone like GM for instance, which is more a merging of different manufacturers over the years.

Was just something I always found a bit humorous. That's all.

jaseman

Will look it up. Maybe it's not the Toyota answer to Honda/Acura that my perception of it is...

LexFather

Don't confuse sharing platforms with "rebadges". For example the HS while sharing platform with the Avensis, has a completely different body, interior, hybrid engine, options, technology. In comparison, the TSX is a rebadged Euro Accord.

We are aware Toyota builds them, that is one of the selling points. Its not just AMERICA that is drawn to badges....its the entire world. Thus Toyota created Lexus. As Encore stated, the original LS had over 1 billion spent on R&D in 1980s money! It was new from the ground up and completely new to the company. It shared NOTHING with the Cressida for instance. Toyota put in the effort to substantially differentiate the two brands, clearly much better than Acura/Infiniti. Thus where Lexus stands today.

I am not saying Lexus hasn't had a couple of blatant rebadges (LX 450 comes to mind) but they try to separate the two brands with each generation.

Lets not forget the Audi/VW connection as well. Its advantageous to Lexus/Audi to have those brands behind them.

jaseman

As I stated earlier, it was more of something I just always found a little funny. Until the mid-to-late 90's, much of the general car buying public had no clue of the Lexus/Toyota connection. Nor that of the other Japanese marques. Humor doesn't always come across on the internet...

Yes it is indeed advantageous, but can also be a detriment to the upscale brand. VW's spotty electrical issues have been a sticking point for many potential Audi buyers.

Didn't mean to sidetrack your thread, BTW

IS-SV

A nice concise history of Lexus, going from nothing to solid top tier lux brand in 20 years. Amazing auto business model without the benefit of legendary tradition and heritage. Yes we are aware of the models with shared platforms and/or rebadges, which is not the entire product lineup.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

^^^Indeed, nice little history.

I can still remember the day that my friend and I were speechless when the GS300/GS400 hit the magazine and we drove out the next day to see if it was at the dealership.

Can't wait for more coupe and F cars from Lexus