Lexus Unfazed by LS Decline as S Class, Model S Grow
07-05-14, 10:25 AM
#31
Lexus Fanatic
The CT, IS, RX and the upcoming NX are actually more important than the LS as these models are generally the first time a new buyer "buys" into the brand.
I know a lot of people who would never even consider the SC430 but instead bought a IS250c and they are first time buyers and are as happy as hell and are now Lexus fans.
07-05-14, 10:45 AM
#32
Boardroom Thug
Example, sennheiser and akg headphones, they been around 60+ years and make great stuff. Beats comes along and in less than 5 years stomps all over their *** with a product some will say will inferior, and the brand over all has no heritage so nothing for the consumer to base trust on from the past.
07-05-14, 11:06 AM
#33
Lexus Champion
Any time an exec like Mr. Smith, makes comments like this in public, there is a certain amount of spin in them. They put out the message that they want the public to hear and digest. It happens all the time.
07-05-14, 11:44 AM
#34
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
each brand has vehicles to target segments. obviously bmw pitches the 1/2/3/4 series to younger people, the 5/6 to middle-aged people, and the 7 to older people.
Not exactly. What you see is a trend of the newer generations not caring about heritage. They do not care if you been around 20, 50 or 100 years, you're only as good as the last thing you did for them \ product you put out.
Example, sennheiser and akg headphones, they been around 60+ years and make great stuff. Beats comes along and in less than 5 years stomps all over their *** with a product some will say will inferior, and the brand over all has no heritage so nothing for the consumer to base trust on from the past.
Example, sennheiser and akg headphones, they been around 60+ years and make great stuff. Beats comes along and in less than 5 years stomps all over their *** with a product some will say will inferior, and the brand over all has no heritage so nothing for the consumer to base trust on from the past.
what most young people care about is whether a brand is 'cool' / favored / trending / relevant, etc. i see it all the time with clothes, electronics, even music. most follow their peers and the trends get started with clever marketing. established old brands, as you say, don't mean a whole lot in a lot of cases, although an example of where that isn't true is stuff like scotch whiskey. 
but since the stuff takes so long to distill and age, an 'upstart' brand is unlikely.
07-05-14, 11:52 AM
#35
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by hlee
Lexus has plenty of young people's car, IS, RC, CT, and new NX. and Lexus already got cooler with LFA and LF-LC.
LS needs to go back to its original message.
IMO, LS should always be stately, elegant, and serene. it needs to be all about 'pursuit of perfection'. to me, the current LS looks like a provocative design statement. 'i don't want to be old anymore!'
LS needs to go back to its original message.
IMO, LS should always be stately, elegant, and serene. it needs to be all about 'pursuit of perfection'. to me, the current LS looks like a provocative design statement. 'i don't want to be old anymore!'
You seem to have found the old truth that has evaded so many others. If it works, don't mess with it. Infiniti, for example, kept changing their Q45, and it ended up a sales disaster.
07-05-14, 12:09 PM
#36
Pole Position
Lexus definitely needs the LS of a past and LS of a future, kind of like ES-GS combo.
LS should be what Lexus was always about and some other model should be something like Panamera/A7/6GC but similar in size to LS. That way they have everything covered when it comes to flagship luxury sedan market.
LS should be what Lexus was always about and some other model should be something like Panamera/A7/6GC but similar in size to LS. That way they have everything covered when it comes to flagship luxury sedan market.
07-05-14, 12:22 PM
#37
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sometimes people are too emotionally attached to see things straight. LS had a great reputation, but it's clearly losing its luster. time to go back to the drawing board and rethink the strategy. and even though this is a lexus forum, it's ok to be critical of the brand. i don't wish lexus to fail. i actually want all asian brands to do well.
07-05-14, 12:29 PM
#38
Lexus Fanatic
mmarshall, you are not seeing the LS from the big picture. The IS, CT, RX, and upcoming NX are the new vehicles that appeal to the new generation. Lexus has to attract the younger people to the brand, the younger generation does not care about Q45 or Lexus LS models. The LS is not as important to Lexus in 2014 as it was when it was brought to the market in 1989.
07-05-14, 12:34 PM
#40
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mmarshall, you are not seeing the LS from the big picture. The IS, CT, RX, and upcoming NX are the new vehicles that appeal to the new generation. Lexus has to attract the younger people to the brand, the younger generation does not care about Q45 or Lexus LS models. The LS is not as important to Lexus in 2014 as it was when it was brought to the market in 1989.
Flagship is critical for brand's perception.
07-05-14, 12:55 PM
#41
Lexus Fanatic
The new generation of CT, RX, IS and the new NX buyers will likely have very limited knowledge of past LS models and what Lexus was when I first entered the brand with my LX470 back in late 1999. Lexus is different now.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 07-05-14 at 12:59 PM.
07-05-14, 12:59 PM
#42
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Lexus definitely needs the LS of a past and LS of a future, kind of like ES-GS combo.
LS should be what Lexus was always about and some other model should be something like Panamera/A7/6GC but similar in size to LS. That way they have everything covered when it comes to flagship luxury sedan market.
LS should be what Lexus was always about and some other model should be something like Panamera/A7/6GC but similar in size to LS. That way they have everything covered when it comes to flagship luxury sedan market.
Granted, this A7/Panamera fighter would be a low volume vehicle, but at least it would offer a sportier and "younger" alternative to the LS. It also takes the burden off the LS to try to be everything to everyone who's looking for a full size luxury sedan.
07-05-14, 01:08 PM
#43
IMO, LS should always focus on these people. eh, like my dad.
who are their core target market? young loaded dudes in late 30's? no. it's the 50's and 60's with money playing golf, wanting the ultimate comfort in I-95. this love/hate design drives away many potential buyers IMO because no matter how great it maybe, it's not them. it takes too long to get used to. they must be opening up their wallet and buy new S class because one looks like a proper flagship, but other looks like an alien spaceship to them.
i understand the logic behind the targeting young, wanting LS to look younger and bolder. but obviously it is not working.
by the way, i actually love the look of LS. it works for me. but i'm 35 and i never really liked previous LSs.
who are their core target market? young loaded dudes in late 30's? no. it's the 50's and 60's with money playing golf, wanting the ultimate comfort in I-95. this love/hate design drives away many potential buyers IMO because no matter how great it maybe, it's not them. it takes too long to get used to. they must be opening up their wallet and buy new S class because one looks like a proper flagship, but other looks like an alien spaceship to them.
i understand the logic behind the targeting young, wanting LS to look younger and bolder. but obviously it is not working.
by the way, i actually love the look of LS. it works for me. but i'm 35 and i never really liked previous LSs.
You do have some great points, by the way, I just couldnt resist commenting on that photo.
I also agree that Lexus should not be worried about the LS's future.
Last edited by GSthe4th; 07-05-14 at 01:26 PM.
07-05-14, 01:38 PM
#44
Lexus knows that the Traditional Luxury buyer is aging out, which makes room for new Contemporary and Progressive Luxury buyers. Lexus College teaches this.
As to the LS, future owners will not have the same perspective as their father and his LS400 did. They will have adapted and not only want big plush luxurious comfort, but also a capable car that is brimming with technology and drives well too (technology and engineering is there to accomplish this, Mercedes does an excellent job of blending comfort and sport as does GM's Magnetic Ride Control). And as for looks those are subjective but it shouldn't deter too many potential buyers. 5LS is going to be something masterful.
As to the LS, future owners will not have the same perspective as their father and his LS400 did. They will have adapted and not only want big plush luxurious comfort, but also a capable car that is brimming with technology and drives well too (technology and engineering is there to accomplish this, Mercedes does an excellent job of blending comfort and sport as does GM's Magnetic Ride Control). And as for looks those are subjective but it shouldn't deter too many potential buyers. 5LS is going to be something masterful.
07-05-14, 01:58 PM
#45
I wonder what is going to be future Lexus flagship.... other than the luxury coupe or LFA2, I wonder if it is going to be LS or LX.
With LX growing worldwide sales, I think it might become future flagship.
While LX is awesome IHMO, I dont think it ever got the same attention as LS. LS was always the flagship. But LX outsold LS worldwide last year, and that will likely continue in the future.
With LX growing worldwide sales, I think it might become future flagship.
While LX is awesome IHMO, I dont think it ever got the same attention as LS. LS was always the flagship. But LX outsold LS worldwide last year, and that will likely continue in the future.