DFGeneer

Of course, 320d is still an Ultimate Driving Machine. Even the 316d with the whooping 115 PS (113 bhp) is!

DustinV

Exactly. Plus, there's no wagon available. A lack of more engine choices, trims etc. all kill whatever little appeal the IS has in this market.


Good to see the CT200h doing well. I personally wish it came with more engine choices. I don't require a hybrid for my driving needs.

DustinV

BMW can't ignore the customers who want a BMW but look for fuel economy, especially in todays market.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

both are valid points for Driving dynamics and fuel economy. Let's not forget a lesser engine will also lower the entry point for buyers who are buying into a marquee

venom21

From Lexus Europe’s PR Manager, Etienne Plas via Lexus Enthusiast


So BMW gets Toyota's hybrid tech, while Lexus sees their one calling card given away and receive nothing in return....

LexFather

Right, b/c Lexus is that stupid to make an agreement to give BMW everything and get nothing in return. You must have sat in the meeting to find this out. Do share!

Did it occur to you that maybe, just maybe they don't want to publicize any more specifics and are happy with what BMW is going to offer them.

At least it won't be crap like the Infiniit M getting an old Renault diesel engine. Lame.

GS69

Lexus Will Not Receive Diesel Engines Under Planned BMW-Toyota Tie-Up

Toyota's premium brand Lexus will not receive diesel engines from BMW as part of a planned Toyota-BMW technology tie-up.

BMW, which competes against Lexus in the premium segment, will work with Toyota on next-generation environmentally friendly technologies, including joint development of lithium-ion batteries.

Part of the deal, announced at the Tokyo auto show, includes the supply of BMW's 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter diesel engines for Toyota's European models starting in 2014.

''The agreement with BMW does not include any supply of BMW engines to Lexus,'' Toyota Europe spokesman Etienne Plas told Automotive News Europe.

BMW's development chief Klaus Draeger said the tie-up will not give Lexus an advantage. ''We don't have any concerns. The engines are not planned for use in the Lexus brand,'' he told the German business magazine WirtschaftsWoche.

Toyota's European strategy has been to concentrate on offering hybrid cars, although 52% of cars sold in Europe in 2010 were diesels, according to industry association ACEA.

''Lexus sales are so small in Europe that it makes more sense to position Lexus as an innovation leader and to go in the direction of plug-in hybrids and full hybrids,'' said Professor Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer from the Center for Automotive research at the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany.

Dudenhoeffer said that given Lexus' small presence in the premium car market in Europe, it was more likely that Toyota would continue to view Lexus as a niche brand in the region and focus its attention on building sales in Europe with diesel versions of its core Toyota brand models.

Lexus' 11-month unit sales in Europe were 24,623, giving the brand a 0.2 percent share, according to ACEA. BMW brand sold 590,453 cars in the same period to achieve a 4.7 percent market share.

spwolf

well thats because you are biased against hybrids :-).
You drive automatic, Lexus/Toyota hybrid is perfect car for you :-).