Lentz on Lexus: Few Regrets
#151
Lexus Fanatic
Those numbers make more sense as quarterly figures.
#152
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by RNM GS3
China is going to influence the auto industry more than anyone - just look at why Buick still exists,
But it is also true that Buick benefitted from a number of gross mistakes at Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Saturn, leading to the demise of those three brands.
reason Lincoln is bringing back Continental name, etc.
Lexus introduced 1 new engine (2.0 turbo) in past 10 years thats unacceptable.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-21-15 at 06:08 PM.
#153
Lexus Test Driver
Then post conflicting data from another source. Automotive News is a very respected source.
As for US vs worldwide sales, who cares? Lexus was designed for the US market, growth in other markets is secondary. US trends aren't really affected by trends in other countries.
Lexus is doing fine.
As for US vs worldwide sales, who cares? Lexus was designed for the US market, growth in other markets is secondary. US trends aren't really affected by trends in other countries.
Lexus is doing fine.
Just as an example - the S-class/E-class trounce the LS/GS in sales worldwide; just image the profits they generate.....thats why MB can afford to develop niche models like an S-coupe or CLS or AMG versions. There is enough economies of scale to make it work.
Lexus can't be as aggressive or build low volume models / engines bec their profit margins are not comparable on their RWD models and they cant truly spread out the cost to keep their bean counters happy.
Anyway thats my 2 cents.....
#154
Lexus Test Driver
The Continental is coming back because Lincoln finally realizes that the MKS was not an acceptable replacement for the Town Car. The Continental's interior is a major upgrade over the MKS, but it remains to be seen if the rest of the car is or not. The Continental, unlike the Cadillac's CT-6, is not RWD.
It took the interest of Chinese consumers to persuade Ford Motor to revive a quintessentially American car, the Lincoln Continental.
It is the latest twist in a global car market that has automakers hustling to develop models that appeal to both Chinese and American buyers.
In the case of the Continental, the growing demand for large cars in China provided a strong business incentive for Ford to resurrect the sedan for the United States market as well.
Mark Fields, Ford’s chief executive, said the new Continental was designed with American and Chinese consumers in mind.
Ford estimates the global market to be approaching two million sales a year, with much of the future growth coming from rich Chinese buyers with chauffeurs.
It is the latest twist in a global car market that has automakers hustling to develop models that appeal to both Chinese and American buyers.
In the case of the Continental, the growing demand for large cars in China provided a strong business incentive for Ford to resurrect the sedan for the United States market as well.
Mark Fields, Ford’s chief executive, said the new Continental was designed with American and Chinese consumers in mind.
Ford estimates the global market to be approaching two million sales a year, with much of the future growth coming from rich Chinese buyers with chauffeurs.
#155
Lexus Fanatic
Again I disagree - this USED to be the case when the US had the largest auto market but other parts of the world are now very important as well especially for Luxury automakers.
Just as an example - the S-class/E-class trounce the LS/GS in sales worldwide; just image the profits they generate.....thats why MB can afford to develop niche models like an S-coupe or CLS or AMG versions. There is enough economies of scale to make it work.
Lexus can't be as aggressive or build low volume models / engines bec their profit margins are not comparable on their RWD models and they cant truly spread out the cost to keep their bean counters happy.
Just as an example - the S-class/E-class trounce the LS/GS in sales worldwide; just image the profits they generate.....thats why MB can afford to develop niche models like an S-coupe or CLS or AMG versions. There is enough economies of scale to make it work.
Lexus can't be as aggressive or build low volume models / engines bec their profit margins are not comparable on their RWD models and they cant truly spread out the cost to keep their bean counters happy.
If Lexus never caught on in China, that doesn't mean it won't continue to be popular or even become more popular here.
Lexus can be plenty aggressive...its just that Lexus/Toyota is not an aggressive company... they aren't the sort of company that designs niche vehicles. Doesn't mean they aren't successful. They're within 1k units of top sales with way fewer models than MB and BMW.
Different companies with different perspectives and goals.
#156
Lexus Test Driver
I'm not saying that other markets aren't important also, but if a product is popular in one market, and not in another, it doesn't mean the product is irrelevant. We don't have Peugeot here, or Vauxhall, or Opel, but that doesn't mean those products are irrelevant...they're quite relevant in the markets they serve.
If Lexus never caught on in China, that doesn't mean it won't continue to be popular or even become more popular here.
Lexus can be plenty aggressive...its just that Lexus/Toyota is not an aggressive company... they aren't the sort of company that designs niche vehicles. Doesn't mean they aren't successful. They're within 1k units of top sales with way fewer models than MB and BMW.
Different companies with different perspectives and goals.
If Lexus never caught on in China, that doesn't mean it won't continue to be popular or even become more popular here.
Lexus can be plenty aggressive...its just that Lexus/Toyota is not an aggressive company... they aren't the sort of company that designs niche vehicles. Doesn't mean they aren't successful. They're within 1k units of top sales with way fewer models than MB and BMW.
Different companies with different perspectives and goals.
Just look at the movie Box Office - nobody cares about US #s - its about Global #s........same thing with autos is coming very soon.
#157
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by RNM GS3
It took the interest of Chinese consumers to persuade Ford Motor to revive a quintessentially American car, the Lincoln Continental.
It is the latest twist in a global car market that has automakers hustling to develop models that appeal to both Chinese and American buyers.
In the case of the Continental, the growing demand for large cars in China provided a strong business incentive for Ford to resurrect the sedan for the United States market as well.
Mark Fields, Ford’s chief executive, said the new Continental was designed with American and Chinese consumers in mind.
Ford estimates the global market to be approaching two million sales a year, with much of the future growth coming from rich Chinese buyers with chauffeurs.
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-21-15 at 06:20 PM.
#158
Lexus Fanatic
Lexus will be relevant in the US for many years to come but globally they are not and that can impact their ability to deliver competitive product set in the US market. We already are seeing this with their limited models, powertrains etc. to certain extent.
Just look at the movie Box Office - nobody cares about US #s - its about Global #s........same thing with autos is coming very soon.
Just look at the movie Box Office - nobody cares about US #s - its about Global #s........same thing with autos is coming very soon.
Not being relevant in other markets hasn't hurt Lexus so far.
What you're missing is Lexus doesn't have to rely on themselves like BMW or Mercedes do. Toyota's huge R&D capability comes into play here. Lexus doesn't have to sell cars in China to be able to develop new models and powertrains for our market.
As always you speak as if Lexus is hurting and limping and there is just no evidence to support that at all.
#159
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by SW15LS
If Lexus never caught on in China, that doesn't mean it won't continue to be popular or even become more popular here.
We don't have Peugeot here, or Vauxhall, or Opel, but that doesn't mean those products are irrelevant...they're quite relevant in the markets they serve.
Hope your new LS is doing well, BTW............
Last edited by mmarshall; 05-21-15 at 06:39 PM.
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