tex2670

Now that I've had a chance to calm down, I'm thinking "Is it really any dumber than the tennis ball Lexus?" Don't get me wrong--it's ridiculous. I suppose the US Open model protects you from dings and dents, but....

https://www.cars.com/articles/2009/0...n-tennis-ball/

Tro209

While the Tennis IS was probably just as weird, the key difference here is the timing and in general the relevance of the vehicle. Lexus showed the Tennis edition at the US Open, where tennis related things were happening. In which case it kind of made sense. But showing a Sriracha edition IS at the LA Auto Show where the other manufacturers are showing off their new and interesting vehicles? That's just stupid. It doesn't make sense for them to show it off there. The timing is bad, the location is bad. It's just very poorly thought out and doesn't make Lexus look good.

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

There's nothing in the pipeline for them right now. LC is almost a year old at this point and for whatever reason the LS isn't ready yet. If they didn't have a show car they'd literally have nothing new to show in LA.

And why isn't this the right place to promote the car? Huy Fong foods is based in Azusa, CA and they source all of their chilies from Ventura County. If anything, this is the most relevant major auto show to unveil the car.

Tro209

Hmm true... I didn't think of it that way. Without this there's nothing else to show. But honestly thats kind of Lexus/Toyota own fault if anything. But yeah I guess you could say it's somewhat relative but I doubt anybody there was thinking "Oh I get it, Huy Fong Foods is based in Azusa, CA, This car is totally relevant to our surroundings!" No. They're thinking what pretty much all of us are thinking. "What the heck were they thinking?"

I know not showing anything at all is bad but this isn't any better either. And it only mad Lexus look bad in a way if you ask me. Or if anything, out of ideas. This is something that should be held off for SEMA or some other creative place, or at least somewhere where the general consumer understands why the vehicle is even there...

I mean I don't know. I'm not saying it's a completely stupid idea (although it is very dumb), but I am saying it could have been handled better that's for sure.

JDR76

Motor Trend lists it as one of their "Best Cars of the 2016 Los Angeles Auto Show". http://www.motortrend.com/news/best-...les-auto-show/

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

The folks that seem the angriest are those that were expecting an IS-F or new engines to be debuted with 2 days worth of hype

TRDRAV4

HF is actually based in the city of Irwindale not Azusa, and they have been at odds with that city over the "smell". HF even threatened to move to pull a "Toyota" and move to Texas at one point. That's another story itself. I personally feel that the car would make more sense to be unveiled at a foodie or Asiancentric event (because of its cultural roots and how many America is embracing the sauce in their diets). HF has been aggressively marketing the brand, since you can buy all sorts of Sriracha related merchandise (they're doing what Disney and Star Wars do very well).

http://www.sgvtribune.com/general-ne...ts-750000-back
+1

Allen K

iTrader: (4)

Ah that's right. Brain fart on location. It's a nice plant if you can get out there, I think they're still offering tours

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

If you add Sriracha to everything, then no, this is serious.

TRDRAV4

A tour would be cool, since a lot of manufacturing has left the state thanks to our so business friendly state lol. Personally, I don't use the sauce that much, but I understand the appeal to younger eaters; I don't know if I could deal with the smell of the factory though, it would be cool.

G Star

iTrader: (2)

I think CL may be the only place on the internet that is still mad about this.

It wasn't meant to be something that was taken too seriously, obviously by their extremely cheesy and comedic ad.

Tro209

I wouldn't say we're mad. At least I'm not mad anyway. But more of us just trying to grasp the concept of why at the LA Auto show? Either way, after reading the good things Motor Trend said, maybe it wasn't as dumb as I thought it was. In some way it makes sense.... But then again in many other ways it makes no sense and should be punishable by DEATH (Jk)

dseag2

Maybe Lexus wants to break through in Thailand.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

you're welcome!

depends on if it has mustard on it.

reading that article, you can feel how bored the writer is looking for ANYTHING different. well this is different.

a year old and it's not even shipping yet. when is the LC coming out? early next year i believe?

Toys4RJill

Anyone come up with why Lexus would do this?