I was driving home from Atlanta and, while my passengers were sleeping, I started thinking about general crap. As a third gen GS passed me, I began wondering if Lexus would ever get full autonomy from Toyota. I know it seems like a pretty big stretch, but considering how Lexus has become it's own global brand recently, I don't think it would be too far from the realm of reality. As is, the Lexus lineup has undergone massive changes from the days when a lot of the parts were stamped with the Toyota name (Like my second gen) to now having everything stamped with Lexus.

For some reason, I think that if any of the luxury divisions would do it, it would be Lexus. They seem to be running their own shop now that they have become a worldwide brand, rather than a re-badged Toyota.

Anyhow, these are just my crazy thoughts and would like to know other members inputs.

 

What do you mean by full autonomy? As in they split off from Toyota completely and become their own brand? I highly doubt that Toyota would allow such a thing to happen.
Or as in Toyota sharing less and less parts that are Toyota parts? I doubt this as well because part sharing is a great way to reduce costs.

 

First option. They split from the Toyota Tree and become their own company. It happened with the Army and the Air Force back in the 40's...

 

Lexus is too valuable to Toyota and Lexus on it's own probably would hike up R&D costs substantially.

 

I don't think there is a chance at all. Too many models share cross platforms either in parts or models. Also, Toyota designed tends to share more in common with Lexus than the other way around. The manufacturing of parts and suppliers rolls over to both cars.

 

They practically treat Lexus as if they aren't the same company. Thats what makes them so good at what they do, they don't use the same engineers as they do in Toyota. On the other hand Honda has a problem with doing that to Acura and thats why they will remain where they are unless they take a much different approach.

 

It's starting to happen:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus#D...and_technology

This written partly by yours truly.

Source: http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/090601.html

 

I still don't think either party will allow a full schism.

 

I think Lexus may become it's own design and engineering and marketing entity, but still use Toyota technology/parts. But then again, isn't that what they're doing now?

 

In a lot of the world, Lexus is still sold through a Toyota dealer, in fact I heard that this was going to be part of the strategy down here at some point.

 

Only thing that I wish was different is for the RX/ES to be on a dedicated Lexus chassis. I feel like placing at least the RX on a RWD chassis, perhaps the IS platform, would only be good. 270HP is simply too much for the FWD models. Swap the layout, and a 270HP RWD RX wouldn't be too bad.

I am about to swap into an RX350 from my GX 470, and am not at all looking forward to it

 

That's how Lexus Europe got started. However, having Lexus sold with Toyota hurt the luxury image, so Lexus Europe has now embarked on more standalone Lexus dealerships.

 

This makes me think of the Porsche and VW overlap that was written-up in Fortune recently. Some hints at how the combination works.

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortu...5700/index.htm

 

The main reason i bought a Lexus was BECAUSE its a Toyota. When you buy a new car *if you want reliability* you buy japanese, best japanese is Toyota, I wanted upscale so i got a lexus. If there were Toyota badges for the 2IS, i woulda swapped out the lexus for the toyota ones the first wk.

 

Porshe & Audi did a great job seperating themselves from VW. The relationship between the above brands and VW are not as well known (to the lay person) as say the relationship between Toyota & Lexus.