Why "IS"?
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Why "IS"?
This is a silly question perhaps but it's difficult to search for an explanation, but I assume that the following happened.
1) Mid 90's Lexus marked its 'Luxury Sports Sedan' the ES 250 and later ES 300. ES = Executive Sedan...
2) Towards '00 Lexus decided to split the market between an entry-level Luxury Sedan, the ES, and a Luxury Sports Sedan...
3) Lux Sports Sedan, based on Toyota Altezza, christened the "IS"
Is there any meaning to "IS"? Does it fit in the Lexus 'ranking' (LS/LX; GS/GX; ES/RX)...
And does it market well? IS vs. ES. vs. LS...?
1) Mid 90's Lexus marked its 'Luxury Sports Sedan' the ES 250 and later ES 300. ES = Executive Sedan...
2) Towards '00 Lexus decided to split the market between an entry-level Luxury Sedan, the ES, and a Luxury Sports Sedan...
3) Lux Sports Sedan, based on Toyota Altezza, christened the "IS"
Is there any meaning to "IS"? Does it fit in the Lexus 'ranking' (LS/LX; GS/GX; ES/RX)...
And does it market well? IS vs. ES. vs. LS...?
#2
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by enigma354
This is a silly question perhaps but it's difficult to search for an explanation, but I assume that the following happened.
1) Mid 90's Lexus marked its 'Luxury Sports Sedan' the ES 250 and later ES 300. ES = Executive Sedan...
2) Towards '00 Lexus decided to split the market between an entry-level Luxury Sedan, the ES, and a Luxury Sports Sedan...
3) Lux Sports Sedan, based on Toyota Altezza, christened the "IS"
Is there any meaning to "IS"? Does it fit in the Lexus 'ranking' (LS/LX; GS/GX; ES/RX)...
And does it market well? IS vs. ES. vs. LS...?
1) Mid 90's Lexus marked its 'Luxury Sports Sedan' the ES 250 and later ES 300. ES = Executive Sedan...
2) Towards '00 Lexus decided to split the market between an entry-level Luxury Sedan, the ES, and a Luxury Sports Sedan...
3) Lux Sports Sedan, based on Toyota Altezza, christened the "IS"
Is there any meaning to "IS"? Does it fit in the Lexus 'ranking' (LS/LX; GS/GX; ES/RX)...
And does it market well? IS vs. ES. vs. LS...?
#4
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I prefer model "names", but it seems that lettrs and/or numbers is the trend. Here's an interesting article on this subject from CNN:
http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/07/pf/a...oder/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/07/pf/a...oder/index.htm
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by jrock65
I don't think it stands for anything. I don't think "RX" and "GX" stand for anything either. Could be wrong though.
#6
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Originally Posted by XeroK00L
It's believed that the "RX" stands for "Recreational Crossover" and the "GX" for "Grand 4x4". Whichever that helps you remember its name better, I guess.
#7
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Originally Posted by 1Violinist
I prefer model "names", but it seems that lettrs and/or numbers is the trend. Here's an interesting article on this subject from CNN:
http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/07/pf/a...oder/index.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2004/09/07/pf/a...oder/index.htm
I think the main reason why some luxury car companies keep to the alphanumeric naming system is to advertise the brand's name. I know when people ask what I drive, I'll say "a Lexus SUV", instead of an RX330. Most people I know aren't car buffs, so they wouldn't know an RX330 from an X5.
I think either way you get excellent name recognition, whether it be make or model; it just depends on how shiny the image is of the make and model. (one good example is Acura's back and forth experimentation of "Legend" to "3.5 RL" to "RL". They wanted consumers to say "I drive an Acura" and not "I drive a Legend".
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#8
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Cool article, although:
This is not necessarily true for ES vs. IS...
The first letter in a Lexus name indicates the relative size and cost of the car. The higher in the alphabet the letter is, the higher the price. For some reason -- a Toyota spokesman wasn't sure why -- the R SUVs are an exception to this particular rule. They are actually the least expensive Lexus SUVs
#9
Lexus Champion
Honestly, although it doesn't really count now, I always thought "IS" stood for "Inline Sport" or "Inline Sedan", in regards to the engine. But that doesn't exactly fit anymore
#11
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
I bet if BMW and Mercedes all of a sudden switched to real names (Although they never will) all the Japanese companies will eventually return back to the original names of their cars like Legend, Integra, Inspire, Soarer, Aristo, Celsior and such. Back then the alpha numeric names used to mean something with the European cars, but BMW especially often goes off that with teh 325 that has a 3.0 and such.
#12
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Originally Posted by CK6Speed
I bet if BMW and Mercedes all of a sudden switched to real names (Although they never will) all the Japanese companies will eventually return back to the original names of their cars like Legend, Integra, Inspire, Soarer, Aristo, Celsior and such. Back then the alpha numeric names used to mean something with the European cars, but BMW especially often goes off that with teh 325 that has a 3.0 and such.
but if anything i like how toyota and lexus do things differently on their models
#14
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
If anything it seems that numbers are here to stay, and that they may be changed around...
For instance MB....vs. Lexus
1980's 420 SEL (MB)
1990's LS 400
1995... S 430 (MB)
2000... LS 430
For instance MB....vs. Lexus
1980's 420 SEL (MB)
1990's LS 400
1995... S 430 (MB)
2000... LS 430
#15
Lexus Test Driver
Mercedes had a code in its model numbers
Originally Posted by enigma354
If anything it seems that numbers are here to stay, and that they may be changed around...
For instance MB....vs. Lexus
1980's 420 SEL (MB)
1990's LS 400
1995... S 430 (MB)
2000... LS 430
For instance MB....vs. Lexus
1980's 420 SEL (MB)
1990's LS 400
1995... S 430 (MB)
2000... LS 430
300SD= 3.0 Liter Saunder Class Diesel, short wheelbase implied
Now they just call them S Class, E Class, C Class etc. which is not as specific
SL stood for Super Light which of course it is not anymore......
Lexus Luxury Sedan and 4.0 Liter = LS400 is more like the original Mercedes system of designation up the the IS220d (Diesel)