GS was launched at the beginning of 2005 as a 2006 model. New one is rumored to launch in 2012 as a 2013 model. So that's 7 years.

 

Not for nothing, but that's usually how Lexus does business.

 

Yes, the GS 300 and GS 430 launched in '05. I'm talking about the GS 450h, which debuted in 2006.

 

The GS is the oldest in the segmet what do you think? You are also inaccurate about how German sales work, go back to the yearly/monthly car reports here and see for yourself.

BINGO I have no problem with the document but this sensationalism is clearly coming from the stupid *** title and article that does people a major disservice. C'mon people we saw this coming, its not the end of the world and Lexus position will be much better when they get new products. Not rocket science.

LS had 11 world firsts
CT has worlds first usage of bamboo (real bamboo) and a new age environmentally friendly plastic.
HS is the most recyclable car and also uses new age plastics that are better for the enviroment
Remote Touch was introduced and hailed
First with LED lights and the only brand with LEDS lights offered in 4 vehicles
LFA is more extreme than anything BMW, Audi has built. Only the old SLR Mercedes can match it with technology
First 8 speed automatic
surely I'm misssing quite a few things

and people can hate hybrids all they want, they are by far the MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CARS ON THE ROAD and Lexus debuts them first and has FIVE of them


Bingo Infinity gets freaking 60% of their sales from ONE MODEL. They sold a measly and laughable 86,000 vehicles just two years ago with new product, less than in their struggling 1990s. This fact is glossed over and not mentioned in the media. Whats mentioned is a lame "oh their sales are up" well no crap, they sold 86,0000 cars, as much as an RX, for an entire year. THey had no where to go but up.

After 11 years Lexus is going to lose the crown for legitimate reasons
-older product
-better competition
-recall/bad publicity

and its somehow the end of the world?

 

Also to add to your point, not for nothing, but outstanding products will sell regardless of their age. Some cars just have the right formula for success.

Lexus can sell RXs and ESs like the 5 O'Clock Free Crack Giveaway until the last day of the last year of the model cycle...same goes for the BMW 5 series and 3 series, and Merc E Class. Sales of the 7 series, X3, C Class, ML, etc all taper off as they age...

This isn't a Lexus-specific problem. It's a product problem, but just like Lexus has homeruns and has-beens, so does everyone else.

 

those numbers really put things into perspective.

 

Wow, a lot was packed into that memo. I agree with most, but not all. Seems that Lexus dealers are really looking after themselves in some of the comments, instead of the overall brand imaging.

they want less standard options in vehicles so that the base price is low (value orientation). Do we really want to attract value oriented buyers? This will prevent Lexus from moving more upscale in the market, which they have already lost sight of with the 29K CT. Do they really want Lexus to become the new BMW where they nickel and dime you for every option?

Glad they brought up outdated technology such as blind spot assistance: Lexus cars really need:
some sort of blind spot technology
a better pre-collision technology such as distronic plus on mercedes vehicles that will bring you to a stop
some sort of night vision
more HUD
3D capability on Nav
better voice command such that one can just say "123 Front street san francisco" in one line instead of going through menus
better center instrument display. I dont care of the RX has an OLED screen, it is still pixelated and is still mono colored, and other brands are moving towards better graphics
Tire pressure read outs on all models
massaging seats in the front for premium models
better special interior combo colors (not the nasty blue in the IS series)

just to name a few

 

Totally agree with you there.

I know right? I swear to goodness... why do you want 2 more SUVs in your lineup? Have mercy there are already three... While I agree that perhaps the GX could and should be more 3 row range rover sport than "mini" land cruiser, what ffs are you going to do with a 5 SUV lineup when the RX already outsells all those competing crossovers in it's class as well as a class below and above combined? wtf?

Have to agree on the SC though. And an entry level roadster/coupe. And an IS coupe. lol.

 

And this is a bad thing because?

 

It's plain and simple. Lexus numbers are down because their core models are old and due for replacement. Once they arrive, the numbers will spike and no one will ever remember this article. Fast forward five years later and the same accusations will pop up, with the same finger pointing, the same fix, and the same numbers trend.

Repeat chorus.

 

Why is that a concern at all? So because nobody has heard of Toyota's future plans, that means they have none? . That's like saying if a tree falls in a forest and nobody is there to hear it, it doesn't make a sound .

Toyota is a secretive company, always has been. There were a few leaks over the past few years, but Toyota has clamped down on the leaks.

If Toyota's gigantic R&D budgets over the last few years don't clearly indicate to you and other critics that BIG things are coming with future Toyota and Lexus models, then I don't know what will.

Still not willing to call out BMW and Benz for the same things you're calling out Lexus for I see.

 

^^ In all fairness, bmw and mercedes are making great strikes in exterior design, new engine, interior design and materials, and overall quality.

as a side note, the CLS550 is now on mbusa.com and it is 3K cheaper than the outgoing model with more standard features...Lexus needs to pay attention. It has the new 4.6 liter DI, bi turbo engine whipping out 403 hp with epa est 16/24 which isnt stellar, but is far better than the 14/21 of the outgoing 5.5 liter 380 hp

 

Man, you chewed my *** a year ago for complaining about Lexus, especially on the quality standards!

 

Read the letter. I find that many elements are quite constructive. Interesting that they complain so much about lack of follow up and answers.

Two major comments

1) Lexus doesn't know what it's strategy is. If it did it wouldn't have dealers proposing so many contradictory asks eg they want a bargain version of the GX without leather seats as an entry 7 seater while still complaining about lack of sales of the luxury models.

2) Dealers should hold themselves to the standards they hold Lexus. Most of my issues with Lexus have been how the dealers have conducted themselves. In my opinion, Lexus would be better off doing away with the dealer network and selling direct to the customer. It could control standards way better that way.

 

Sorry. That was unfair. I think I was defending Lexus back then because I believed the recalls were unnecessary. I still do believe that. However the product is clearly lagging the market.

While some defend Lexus' innovation record I continue to believe they are completely lagging. I don't see how anyone can say a company is an innovation leader when they were the last company to switch from cassette deck to MP3 player, the last luxury player to introduce HD navigation, a company that still hasn't figured out an easy way to enter addresses into the nav.

And the idea that there is a massive R&D budget which will leapfrog everyone in 2013 with new products is also ridiculous. A good R&D function would update every vehicle every couple of years to keep them current in tech. Not launch an p to date vehicle, and then let it fall behind the times for 6 of the 8 years of the production cycle.

But Lexus will be fine. Brand Loyalty is a strong thing, and there will always be a segment that buys cars from the worlds number four luxury car manufacturer. I could not imagine TRDFantasy in anything else.