Originally Posted by mmarshall

Although it is a rather complex question, and an entire book can be written about it, there are two relatively simple answers. One, Lexus forgot who they were and what made them successful (primarily a builder of non-sport-oriented luxury cars) and tried to become a Japanese BMW. Two, the bean-counters in the organization got too much power, and we saw a decline in the quality of the materials used in many of the newer Lexus products. What the company needs to do is to return to its roots.

Originally Posted by amphipri0n

Lexus isn't the only auto company that has undertaken a marketing shift.

Originally Posted by LexBob2

IMO the thread title is misleading. It makes it sound like the division is going out of business.

Originally Posted by Hoovey2411

L-Finesse was a great design direction. Unfortunately with it came cost cutting never seen before in previous Lexus’s. The 2006 GS300 and 2007 ES350 were prime offenders when it came to fit and finish, cabin materials and assembly. Compare to a 2005 GS300 or 2006 ES330 which while they weren’t the prettiest in terms of design, their material quality and assembly were bar none when compared to the competition. Thankfully this was corrected or rather addressed in 2010 when some poor plastics were taken care of and of course when new models like the CT and 4GS came out a renewed level of quality came back to play. In terms of technology they were always in the thick of it. Even though some of the navigation systems were primitive to today’s navi’s, they were ahead of the competiton.



I completely agree Lexus needs a four door coupe. I’ve petitioned for FS350, FS450h and FS-F



No surprise. The IS350 does not compete with the A7 which is more laden with tech and luxury. For what you pay I’d hope it’s quieter and more refined than our 2IS.



The sales success of the 2004-2009 RX and 2007+ ES, as well L-Finesse, more hybrids, DI 3.5 V6, LS600hL and 8-Speed auto helped push Lexus to the front. However 2010 was a dark age as mammoth recalls and the tsunami affected Lexus’s sales crown. L-Finesse quality (not design) caught up and bit them in the ****. Still you have to give credit that 4 years later Lexus is standing tall. That said the limited options (like choice of powertrains), packaging by region, little customization compared to the competition don’t do any justice for a Luxury badged automaker. While I do believe its important to add Sport into the mix as this is what society apparently wants now, I also believe its important to remember your core values and beginnings of what made your company so successful. I have no problem with aggressive, but Lexus needs to do it in a way that you still feel the Luxury aspect. VW and Audi may have a world domination mentality aimed at 2018 but Audi has a long way to go to catch Mercedes-Benz which is the undisputed king of both sales and Luxury at the moment.



I’ll agree to the effect that currently Lexus is making you choose Sport OR Luxury… no.. I want both. I want a vehicle that is elegant and refined yet can turn bonkers at a moment’s notice.



This is subjective so I won’t argue this. I happen to like certain Spindles but not others. I like the LS, RX and IS, but the half-arsed spindle on the GS (can’t wait till the full spindle refresh) and the one on the ES I can’t stand but that’s in part because of the gap between spindle and hood.



There is a forced induction future for Lexus soon. The TTV6 and TTV8 are supposed to have better power and efficiency than the competition. Let’s hope



With the exception of the GS anything below it.. well most know my opinion on some of the latest plastics..



N/A



RX is obviously a great seller, but it lacks many Luxury features in the States like panoramic sunroof, adjustable lift gate, rear seat climate controls that the competiton or even whats available on a fully loaded Nissan Pathfinder. The RX is a nice vehicle but is not as prestigious as it should be. BMW, MBZ and Audi have their own thing going on, Lexus, Cadillac and Jaguar are actually coming on with some intensity and Infiniti, Acura and Lincoln continue to search for an identity.

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Marketing errors don't necessarily mean that a company is going out of buisness. Lincoln is a good example of that, although they have lost a number of their former customers. BMW also (probably) made a mistake with the Chris Bangle redesigns of a decade ago....yet also remained firmly in the market. But, looking back, one sometimes has to ask himself or herself how much better it would have been if those mistakes had not been made in the first place?

Altough it's too early to tell for sure, I also think that, in the future, BMW's switch to all-electric power steering will probably be a major error. While providing only minor gains in MPG at best (and removing the chances of a power-steering fluid leak or contamination), it has, at the same time, robbed new BMWs of much of their traditional superb steering feel....a strong selling point.

Originally Posted by mmarshall

Marketing errors don't necessarily mean that a company is going out of buisness...BMW also (probably) made a mistake with the Chris Bangle redesigns of a decade ago.... think that, in the future, BMW's switch to all-electric power steering will probably be a major error...it has, at the same time, robbed new BMWs of much of their traditional superb steering feel....a strong selling point.

Originally Posted by 5gears-IS

Sales numbers talk we will see what the latest generation will do. I am seeing tons of 3IS on the roads I am also seeing tons of RX's out there so something is working for Lexus.

Originally Posted by amphipri0n

Although widely criticized, the Bangle redesigns actually worked, from a sales number perspective. (Especially the bangleized 5 series)

Originally Posted by yowps3

Yeah I agree with all your points.

One thing to take into consideration is that Lexus used to sell much more cars a few years ago in USA than what they do now.

Where as the Germans are all at records numbers now.

Lexus is probably having the same crisis that Mercedes had in the 90s and early 000s
But we will wait and see whether their new game plan will work or not.

Originally Posted by yowps3

Lexus is probably having the same crisis that Mercedes had in the 90s and early 000s

Originally Posted by LexFather

This conclusion makes no sense since Lexus sells more hybrids than all other luxury brands combined and all the other luxury brands rushed to make hybrids. The HS sold poor here but is a hit in Japan. Now we have Ferrari, Mclaren and Porsche hybrids.

Originally Posted by RNM GS3

MB / Audi / BMW / Cadillac - please tell me a hybrid model they offer currently.

Really - what luxury automakers rushed to make hybrids????