^ aren't there ES taxis in dubai or something?

 

Lexus Bullish on Auto Sales in RP
By Abigail L. Ho
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 22:25:00 01/18/2009

MANILA, Philippines—Lexus Manila Inc. is optimistic it can sell between 200 and 300 units of luxury vehicles this year, even amid the global economic slump.

In an interview during the launch of the first Lexus showroom in the country, Lexus Manila president Daniel Isla said the luxury vehicles market was not expected to be hit that much by the belt tightening that most consumers were choosing to do now.

“We’re still confident that the luxury market will be there. This market won’t be severely affected by the slump. There’s demand, we’re still feeling it,” he said.

As of last year, luxury vehicles accounted for 1.4 percent of the overall automotive market.

If there would be a dip in this share, it would probably just be very minimal, he said.

“During previous years, like in 1997 and 1998 when we had the Asian financial crisis, the share of luxury vehicles only went down from 1.8 percent to 1.6 percent or 1.4 percent. It’s just a small band,” he added.

For Lexus’ debut year in the Philippines, he said the company was not aiming for a specific market share, but was just planning to sell between 200 and 300 units.

Since the opening of Lexus Manila’s 10,500-square meter showroom at the Fort Bonifacio Global City last Wednesday, he said results had been “encouraging.”

“We’ve been getting a lot of walk-ins, an average of 20 a day. We now have seven reservations, and that’s just after three days,” he said.

For its Philippine debut, Lexus Manila brought in five new models--four sedans and one sport utility vehicle. Prices of these models range from P2.9 million to P8.2 million.

Isla said the Global City showroom would be the only Lexus Manila showroom in the country for the next five years, as it took four years to finalize its location as well as concept and design.

It likewise entailed a huge investment, he said.

Lexus Manila is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Philippines (75 percent) and Mitsui and Co. Ltd. (25 percent).

The Lexus brand was also recently launched in emerging markets Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

 

Actually, as mentioned it's been sold in South Korea, Taiwan, China, Middle East, etc.

Lexus Manila is looking to cater to the top 1% of the population according to what I read, the very wealthy. At those prices, I can see why. The prices for Lexus throughout Asia are definitely eye-watering compared to the US, but the vehicles are often fully equipped as well.

WOW those prices are mind-boggling. $200K for the IS-F? Suddenly the reported $300K LF-A pricetag doesn't seem too outlandish.

 

I thought the same thing!

Could cut you a deal for one with low miles for say $125 000....lol.

 

More pics of the dealership in their website:
http://www.lexus.com.ph/forms/lexus_facility.asp

 

Nice! Looks like the website launched simultaneously with the new Lexus Manila.

Those pics show how gorgeous the facility is...garden, sculpted wood walls worthy of Frank Gehry's Disney Hall, sculpted forms throughout.

 

wow.. that's nice!

 

they need to bring the IS300 back to the US. the 250 is just embarassing

 

Very nice, the dealership looks fantastic.

 

Very nice dealership^^

 

Yes, I've been in ES350 Taxi's in Dubai, they are unmarked though, but with meter inside.

 

Wow! That looks awesome

 

More pics







The design of the showroom is a collaboration between Japanese and Filipino architectural firms (Nomura Co. and Recio + Casas Architects respectively) so it is indeed a world-class design with local styling and craftsmanship. Truly a FIRST for car dealerships here in the Philippines.

Well the IS 300 (shown in the pics) acts as a "middle man" between the 250 and the 350. Plus, in our case, it's the only available choice of IS for our market as the other two won't survive (due to the poor quality of fuel we have here locally in RP).

In any case, the IS 300 with its 3GR-FE engine (w/o direct injection) should not disappoint either as it still has Dual-VVTi. To point out, I've ridden in my grandma's Corolla Altis many times and even with its 1.6 liter Single-VVTI engine, the ride was still neat. Heck, if I find that pleasing, then what more with the new Lexus IS 300?

P.S.
I should be able to give some feedback on the IS 300 from our test drive session by next week (hopefully). Stay tuned

 

You've gotta be joking. With the way people drive there and the road conditions? I wouldn't even bother with a car. Small Utes are the way to go there.

 

You may have point there. However, that still won't stop Lexus Manila from reaching their sales target for 2009 (involving around 200 to 300 units). The LS 460 L will most likely sell the most number of units here followed by the IS 300 and then the GS 460. As for the ES 350, it is just an upscale Asian Camry so it may not sell that much though it will still sell. As for the LX 570, well grey market pricing is still cheaper and the standard rims are better. But I expect some sales to occur.

Anyways, those are my projections anyways. That and Audi, BMW and MB sales dealerships here in the Philippines SHOULD BE AFRAID as Lexus Manila is going to crack the whip in order provide greater competition to the Philippine Premium Automobile Market.

Heck, I'm already tempted as to what I would get as a graduation car......and surprisingly the IS 300 is a strong candidate. I might also consider the GS 460 but it is so expensive (though I love the touch screen and that Bluetooth Telephone feature thingy).....

P.S.
However I do agree with you Shoyuu regarding what you said in connection to bringing Hybrid cars to the Philippines. At the moment, it is hard to bring these in officially because of our road conditions may not be friendly to hybrid cars PLUS the fact that flooding can happen and that is a big danger to the electric battery/motor. In fact, I remember Sir Okabe, the head of Asia-Pacific, Oceania and Middle East operations and managing director of Toyota Motor Corporation said that these dangers pose a risk into bringing hybrid cars into a developing country such as the Philippines. They may become more feasible in the future once the risks become less dangerous. Hopefully by 2011, we can see a Prius or a Honda Insight or some Lexus hybrids sold here so that the local auto market would become more diversified........hopefully.

So yeah, hybrids may not work in our local market yet (until we fix some things up). Though there seem to be a few brave souls who've risked doing such like those select people who bought grey import Camry Hybrid cars from America (I've seen five on the road and a relative of mine has one).