A nice article in a local newspaper here confirmed on the web what I have been trying to confirm 100% for a month or so,

Spanish, http://www2.eluniversal.com.mx/pls/i...abla=articulos

Somewhat not to consistent English translation, http://www.google.com/translate?u=ht...&hl=en&ie=UTF8

Many thanks Lexus and welcome.

 

Lexus moves into another market!

I wonder how many dealers they will set up first. And looks like your calls for Lexus to expand into Mexico have been answered.

 

From what is usually done with luxury makers entering Mexico, such as Acura back in late 2004, usually Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey I would assume would be first.

Again, I am very proud that they are coming and wish them the best of success. A local club I belong to down here, NipponPower, was very happy when I broke the news to them.

 

Good luck to their success in Mexico

 

I also noticed in that same article, and I had heard this previously, that Toyota is going to bring hybrid models to Mexico. If they can effectively show the cost savings on this, given that premium gas here is about $4 USD a gallon, they could put themselves in the forefront here and have some effective branding linkage between Toyota and the word hybrid.

I can tell you from some market research I know has been conducted here, the hybrid term here is synonymous with Japanese vehicles, but not any in particular.

 

Hybrid is definitely a showcase technology that works very well for Lexus and Toyota. There was an announcement yesterday that a new hybrid-only Lexus model will premiere at the next NAIAS.

I wonder what the lineup will be in Mexico? Definitely RX, probably IS, LS...

 

That is great to hear that Lexus will expand into the Mexico market. it should do well in the major cities.

 

You read my mind on the IS and LS.

This is what Toyota has here, http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/to...e_overview.php

This is what Acura has here, http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/ac...e_overview.php

This is Audi,
http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/au...e_overview.php

This is BMW,
http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/bmw/make_overview.php

This is Mercedes,
http://mx.autos.yahoo.com/newcars/me...e_overview.php

Nissan sells only the Q45 Infiniti.

The RL just does not sell here, but the LS could be a potent force against those otherwise considering an S class (or other Mecedes sedan due to price) or a 7 series. I don't see too many 7 series on the road, but a noticeable amount of Mercedes sedans here. I don't think it would be too hard for Lexus to effectively position the fine features and quality of the LS into this market. I know quite a few people who have the cash to buy something like that and they are all to familiar of quality issues they have been having with the European brands.

The IS350 could effectively chop off some BMW market, the 335i is here, but if you price it right people will be getting an excellent deal by going with an IS for the hp and quality it provides. Too many friends I know have 325s or A4s and want something better and the IS fits the bill perfectly for size and power.

SC430 would be the novelty here. There are a few roaming around and I remember the day I was at Toyota Interlomas and someone came in with one and there more than an enough interested people. It is very distinct from anything else sold here.

The ES might be a tougher sell given its similarity to the Camry. The TL does sell well here, so that might a trouble spot.

The GX, well we have the 4Runner here, again this might prove difficult.

The LX, same thing, you will see a Landcruiser every now and then, but a lot of people seem to prefer a large Chevy, Ford or Escalade.

Finally, there is my beloved RX class. We have had the Highlander arrive within the last few months and I don't see too many on the road. The RAV4 is the big Toyota seller, but you don't see people moving up to an Acura RDX for instance. This is kind of on anomaly for me. A lot of people I have talked to want something bigger than the RAV4, but the price keeps the Highlander a bit out of reach and they wind up getting a Mitsubishi or something else. There are certainly enough X3s and X5s on the road, a few MLs here and there and not much else in the luxury segment that is a dominant force.

I can see the RX having a place here if it can target itself as a substitute for another luxury car maker and not as a complement to the Highlander (a.k.a. un Highlander mas lujo).

One other thing to keep in mind, Mexicans tend to keep their vehicles for MUCH longer than Americans and no doubt this is a significant reason for the rise and popularity of Japanese vehicles here.

 

I know you are happy!! I am sure it will be another huge success for the company.

 

At last some some factory sponsorship for your racing team . . . Equipo Toro Negro? Sorta a nice ring to it . . .

 

 

Interesting, thx for the links to the lineups available in Mexico. Judging by the ranges of the marques, your suggestion on the SC 430 (or SC 460 etc.) could work indeed as a novelty, 'halo car' style vehicle.

And looking at the 5/A6/E sales offerings, perhaps the GS could be sold too. Probably not the ES; rather, Mexico would possibly get the international range that is being used in Europe/Asia/S Africa/etc. - LS/GS/IS and RX.

 

This is exciting news!!! I hope Lexus the best in Mexico, and maybe I will see a Lexus the next time I go to Mexico. My family and I always go to my parent's hometown, Juchipila, Zacatecas. It is too big to be a town but not big enough to be a large city. I remember a couple of years ago, I spotted a 2 bmw 3 series, one black and one blue and a silver mercedes clk. Those cars belonged to the kids of the few rich families that live in Juchipila but come and go to Guadalajara.

 

I wonder if Lexus of Mexico will be offering some armoring for their vehicles.

 

That's a good question. I know a bunch of places that do the armoring in the Polanco neighboorhood along Avenida Masaryk (kind of like Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills) and they are already well versed in armoring things like a 4Runner or Landcruiser.