Lexus's two model strategy
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: MD
Originally Posted by mmarshall
No...Infiniti did not sell both of these cars at once. They dropped the I35 (a redone Maxima) when the G35 was introduced.
Darn, what was the name of Acura's other car? They had the TL and CL, and there was something else...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,521
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by Incendiary
Darn, what was the name of Acura's other car? They had the TL and CL, and there was something else...
The Legend, which was replaced by the RL, was the top-of-the-line car.
Last edited by mmarshall; Apr 18, 2005 at 09:32 AM.
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I don't think Lexus needs this stratgey b/c the more expensive the cars get, the less sport is important. But what is important is image, prestige, luxury and somewhere in the back, sport.
I think what happened with the IS/ES was due to the market. The ES was originally positioned as a sports sedan. But people were not buying them for that. So the ES moved more and more luxury like. Even with the 2nd gen debut in 1997, Lexus tried to position it as sporty, with the AVS. But people were not buying them for that and were older buyers.
The GS 300/400 in 1998 was a turning point for Lexus, it proved people would buy a sporty looking and driving Lexus sedan. Thus Lexus simply brought over the IS (remember, the IS was only the Altezza in Japan, it was an IS everywhere else). And people were going more for sporty luxuyr cars, instead of luxury cars.
Lexus did their research, a 4-cylinder luxury car was seen as a huge "hell no" in America. So they stuffed the 2JZ inside.
The ES sold so well and is now a very respected car in its class. So Lexus could make it even more luxurious. When Lexus saw people did respond to the IS, they knew they could keep 2 cars at the same price. And they had the chance now, to design the IS from the ground up.
As much as a couple people complain the GS is not sporty, the car has always sold well when you consider all factors. And CLEARLY, looking at this website, people LOVE the GS and modify it to tastes. So Lexus does not need to lean the GS to sport and bring another luxury sedan, say the MS or something.
Also, on this forum, we have had many buyers comparison shop a loaded ES with a base GS and a loaded GS with a base LS, so if people want a more comfy ride, they can find a way to stick with Lexus.
I think what happened with the IS/ES was due to the market. The ES was originally positioned as a sports sedan. But people were not buying them for that. So the ES moved more and more luxury like. Even with the 2nd gen debut in 1997, Lexus tried to position it as sporty, with the AVS. But people were not buying them for that and were older buyers.
The GS 300/400 in 1998 was a turning point for Lexus, it proved people would buy a sporty looking and driving Lexus sedan. Thus Lexus simply brought over the IS (remember, the IS was only the Altezza in Japan, it was an IS everywhere else). And people were going more for sporty luxuyr cars, instead of luxury cars.
Lexus did their research, a 4-cylinder luxury car was seen as a huge "hell no" in America. So they stuffed the 2JZ inside.
The ES sold so well and is now a very respected car in its class. So Lexus could make it even more luxurious. When Lexus saw people did respond to the IS, they knew they could keep 2 cars at the same price. And they had the chance now, to design the IS from the ground up.
As much as a couple people complain the GS is not sporty, the car has always sold well when you consider all factors. And CLEARLY, looking at this website, people LOVE the GS and modify it to tastes. So Lexus does not need to lean the GS to sport and bring another luxury sedan, say the MS or something.
Also, on this forum, we have had many buyers comparison shop a loaded ES with a base GS and a loaded GS with a base LS, so if people want a more comfy ride, they can find a way to stick with Lexus.
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