Autonews: new ES, LS, IS in 18 months
02-07-12, 08:32 AM
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Autonews: new ES, LS, IS in 18 months
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl...302069948/1292
within 1.5 years. others get midcycle refresh includes spindle grill
within 1.5 years. others get midcycle refresh includes spindle grill
02-07-12, 08:56 AM
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I've met Mr. Hennessy a number of times, really nice guy and runs class act dealerships with his brothers. We know from the past that when he speaks its usually very accurate. Low inventory has a huge problem after the Tsunami. I'll be at the Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett dealer tonight for the GS debut there.
I still think Lexus has a lot more work cut out for it than in the past, competition is fierce and Audi's rise with Infiniti/Acura's reversal has slanted power to the Germans and this hurts Lexus tremendously. This might sound crazy but they might not be #1 in America for a few years. Lexus is going to have to go into different niche's outside of their care sedan group with more sedans, more car based SUVs and more sports cars/4 door coupes etc with a fresh showroom at all times.
The CT proves when done right Lexus can succeed in new markets that have failed for others even. I hope the GS is well received as well as the new refreshes.
I still think Lexus has a lot more work cut out for it than in the past, competition is fierce and Audi's rise with Infiniti/Acura's reversal has slanted power to the Germans and this hurts Lexus tremendously. This might sound crazy but they might not be #1 in America for a few years. Lexus is going to have to go into different niche's outside of their care sedan group with more sedans, more car based SUVs and more sports cars/4 door coupes etc with a fresh showroom at all times.
The CT proves when done right Lexus can succeed in new markets that have failed for others even. I hope the GS is well received as well as the new refreshes.
Lexus dealer: We'll win back our customers
Mark Rechtin
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Automotive News -- February 6, 2012 - 12:01 am ET
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Peter Hennessy: "I am sure we had some defectors."
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In a year when Lexus inventories were limited by the earthquake in Japan, losing some customers to rival luxury brands was to be expected.
But Peter Hennessy, incoming chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council, predicts a batch of new products and improved availability will win back those customers and attract some new ones.
"I am sure we had some defectors," he said. "Availability is going to be far better this year. We have new product coming. I think we'll be attracting a new customer to the brand this year."
Lexus plans to launch the redesigned GS 350 this month. Redesigns of the ES 350, IS 250/350 and LS 460 will come during the next 18 months. Lexus will be using the "spindle grille" front fascia across the lineup, including the mid-cycle change to the LX 570 SUV.
After the quake, "we were selling to our existing customer base in a greater proportion than in prior years," said Hennessy, an Atlanta-area dealer who also holds Honda and Porsche franchises and is a partner in Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Mazda, GMC, Buick and Jaguar-Land Rover stores.
Last year Lexus lost the luxury sales crown to BMW and Mercedes-Benz for the first time in more than a decade. Still, Hennessy said he was encouraged by the conquest rates of the CT 200h hybrid hatchback that debuted early in 2011. He said customers were willing to wait five months to take delivery after the quake depleted inventories.
As of Jan. 1, Lexus dealers had only a 20-day supply after a strong December sales promotion. But Hennessy predicts fresh allocations will expand inventories quickly.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...#ixzz1liR5tqpM
Mark Rechtin
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Automotive News -- February 6, 2012 - 12:01 am ET
Add a comment
Recommend
Peter Hennessy: "I am sure we had some defectors."
Thought Leadership
Imagine More Possibilities
Sponsored by
» New Economy, New Customers: What They Want in 2012
» 3 Steps to Creating a New Culture
» Expand Your Marketing Reach with QR Codes
» Building a New Business in the Service Drive
» 4 No-Cost Ways to Improve Customer Satisfaction
In a year when Lexus inventories were limited by the earthquake in Japan, losing some customers to rival luxury brands was to be expected.
But Peter Hennessy, incoming chairman of the Lexus National Dealer Advisory Council, predicts a batch of new products and improved availability will win back those customers and attract some new ones.
"I am sure we had some defectors," he said. "Availability is going to be far better this year. We have new product coming. I think we'll be attracting a new customer to the brand this year."
Lexus plans to launch the redesigned GS 350 this month. Redesigns of the ES 350, IS 250/350 and LS 460 will come during the next 18 months. Lexus will be using the "spindle grille" front fascia across the lineup, including the mid-cycle change to the LX 570 SUV.
After the quake, "we were selling to our existing customer base in a greater proportion than in prior years," said Hennessy, an Atlanta-area dealer who also holds Honda and Porsche franchises and is a partner in Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, Mazda, GMC, Buick and Jaguar-Land Rover stores.
Last year Lexus lost the luxury sales crown to BMW and Mercedes-Benz for the first time in more than a decade. Still, Hennessy said he was encouraged by the conquest rates of the CT 200h hybrid hatchback that debuted early in 2011. He said customers were willing to wait five months to take delivery after the quake depleted inventories.
As of Jan. 1, Lexus dealers had only a 20-day supply after a strong December sales promotion. But Hennessy predicts fresh allocations will expand inventories quickly.
Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/2012...#ixzz1liR5tqpM
02-07-12, 09:23 AM
#3
So what I am reading is the ES, LS and IS new design launch will be spread over the next 18 months which would follow the rumors on here. I am concerned about others getting a mid-cycle facelift with the spindle grill and not looking very good. I am afraid of the other models looking like some new fascia was just stuck on so the family resemblance can be made consistent across the brand instead of just waiting until a complete redesign can be done of the models which are not yet ready to be fully released.
02-07-12, 09:47 AM
#4
So what I am reading is the ES, LS and IS new design launch will be spread over the next 18 months which would follow the rumors on here. I am concerned about others getting a mid-cycle facelift with the spindle grill and not looking very good. I am afraid of the other models looking like some new fascia was just stuck on so the family resemblance can be made consistent across the brand instead of just waiting until a complete redesign can be done of the models which are not yet ready to be fully released.
02-07-12, 10:32 PM
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02-08-12, 12:21 AM
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The only model I am worried about is the redesign of the LS... I'm not sure that it will be a hit especially with the new Lexus design patterns... The LS is the flagship but should still maintain it's ultra luxury feel and not be too radical...I really hope they don't mess it up...
02-08-12, 01:32 AM
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The only model I am worried about is the redesign of the LS... I'm not sure that it will be a hit especially with the new Lexus design patterns... The LS is the flagship but should still maintain it's ultra luxury feel and not be too radical...I really hope they don't mess it up...
02-08-12, 03:37 AM
#14
The only model I am worried about is the redesign of the LS... I'm not sure that it will be a hit especially with the new Lexus design patterns... The LS is the flagship but should still maintain it's ultra luxury feel and not be too radical...I really hope they don't mess it up...
02-09-12, 04:19 PM
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