Johnny

There are three dealers in metro Bangkok. I spotted one solitary LS460 flashing by near the Grand Palace over the three week duration I was there - you have to be well heeled to buy one. The basic model costs about $325K USD. Forget hybrid as only the RX features one - pollution is king in Thailand. I did spot about five IS250s and the same number of RX350s (IS350 is just n/a). The cost for the IS250 is about $125K USD - LS600 price level here. GS, LX and GX are just not on the menu. An interesting footnote, the ML system is available in a 17 or 19 speaker configuration.

If you want to import your "used" Lexus for personal use, the time limit is six months and a tax security deposit equivalent to the normal import duty (about $250K for an LS460) for that vehicle must be paid and is refunded when the car leaves Thailand. If you exceed the six month term, the deposit is forfeited and fines are applied.

So Philly1

No wonder there isnt any it cost 4,958,238,210,658 dollars just to buy one

To rich for my blood.

ToyotaFan

The RX350 is very popular actually, especially in JDM-spec Harrier guise. Probably something to do with the JDM ones having more equipment.

One reason that the LS isn't popular is, in most Asian markets (Especially in Malaysia, Thailand & Singapore.), a lot of businessmen tend to lean in favor of the three pointed star or propeller badge, but there are consumers who look past the badge and go for other alternatives such as the Lexus LS.

Also, both German brands assemble the S Class & 7 Series locally and have a price advantage.

The LS600h isn't officially imported btw, SEC Group imports them (Although I was puzzled with why the display unit at the motor expo didn't have the LED projectors. I though they were standard on the 600h.).

Gojirra99

Starting this year, the new RX is officially a Lexus even in Japan, so I think no more new Harriers even for Thailand ?

It's the same for Hong Kong and Singapore, the LS600h's there do not have the LED headlights, it has been discussed in THIS THREAD
.

iKenn

iTrader: (1)

So, what would it cost to take my IS350 with me if I go there for 2 months?

You think it will hold up in Laos?
haha... I need a SUV.

encore888

Wow, the LS price there is

Correct, the new RX is replacing the previous models.

ToyotaFan

Yup, I knew that. I guess the Thai grey importers (As usual) will still bring in the higher spec RX350/ 400h (The official imports miss out on things like the NAV system, which also mean, no front, side & rear cameras.).

Interesting, something to do with the regulations there.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

sometimes i just feel so glad that i am in the US where owning a car is so "cheap" compared to other countries

Gojirra99

How much is the M3 convertible in HK ? Although I have to say the 3-series, and BMW's in general, seem a lot less popular there compared with Mercedes. Everytime I go back, I see a lot more Mercedes than bimmers ...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

yeah 3 series isn't as common, and m3 is considered pretty rare over there. the new m3 isn't cheap there, last time i talked to my cousin he said it costs about 130k US @_@

"surprisingly", i was reading newspaper and 600h (no lwb) in hk costs about 100k US. i would think it costs more

Gojirra99

I think the paper you've read must have been mistaken , if you look at my link in post#4 above again, I took that picture of the LS600hL in HK myself, so there is definitely LWB LS hybrid available in HK, and it cost the equivalent of more than US$200K new, that was in November, 2007

Even if they've more recently decided to significantly reduce the price there due to the financial market crash, I would assume it won't be as drastic as a >50% reduction in price ......

rominl

iTrader: (4)

nono, i mean they have lwb in hk, but the one they quoted was swb 600h

but i am skeptical on price. if you want go read the past week of newspaper in hk. they were talking about complaints on government on purchasing 2 ls600h for vip use and that's a waste of money, and they said each of them cost about 800k HK, which is about 100k US. i didn't really believe it too, specially looking at my m3, but i don't know how to confirm

Gojirra99

Looking at the Lexus HK website, apparently the hybrid LS is available ONLY IN LWB, it's the LS460 that's available only in SWB :

http://www.lexus.com.hk/lexus_cars/ls_new/index.asp

I think it's possible that those reporters who wrote the newspaper article could have mistakenly quote the LS460 that the government really intend to purchase as LS600h ...... See those guys may not be that knowledgeable about cars, and since the Chief Executive in HK has a LS600hL, they might think the government wants to purchase the same model ??

HK$800K sounds reasonable for a LS460 too, since in the U.S., the base price is about US$65K, which is about HK$500K ......

Gojirra99

The thing that's confusing about that Lexus HK website though, is that I've personally seen the LS460L LWB Executive Package in HK too in November 2007(the last time I was in HK), remember these pictures I've taken and posted in THIS THREAD ?

So the LS460L is definitely available in HK too, but I still think the most likely explanation is that the government want to purchase the LS460 for HK$800K each for the VIP's instead of the LS600h ...

rominl

iTrader: (4)

ah that could be true. if they are referring to just the normal swb ls460 and 100k US, that sounds about right