Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Lexus launches in Philippines

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 04:55 PM
  #1  
encore888's Avatar
encore888
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
Lightbulb Lexus launches in Philippines

Luxury auto brand Lexus arrives in RP

MANILA, Jan. 17 (PNA) -- Lexus Manila formally opened its state-of-the-art showroom at the Fort Bonifacio Global City on Jan. 14, 2009. Its facilities and amenities foretell of a world-class standard of luxury that the Lexus brand will offer to its customers.

Alfred Ty, chairman of Lexus Manila, beams with great pride at the 10,500-square meter structure that now changes the automotive luxury landscape in the Philippines. He says, ”The architectural and interior designer firms of Lexus Manila, Nomura Co. Ltd. and Casas Architects, are masters of modern architecture whose works are regarded highly in terms of aesthetics and functionality.”

The flow of design from the impressive exteriors seamlessly blends with the warm and relaxing interiors of the state-of-the-art showroom. The facilities are a first of its kind in the Philippines as exemplified by the indoor courtyard and unconventional furniture pieces, all originally designed.

Danny Isla, president of Lexus Manila, says “This is a place where every customer is treated as if he or she is a personal house guest. This is a place where the customer will experience a unique kind of luxury as we live by our guiding principle in our Pursuit of Perfection.”

Lexus Manila brings the Lexus brand to the Philippines following its highly successful introduction to the world market. Lexus was first launched in the United States in 1989 and has since been consistently the top selling line in luxury motor vehicles.

Lexus will initially be available in five models, namely the LS460L, GS460, ES350, IS300, and LX570. All these five models boast of superior engineering and the distinctive aesthetics that mark a different kind of luxurious appeal.

The LS460L is the flagship model of Lexus, a long wheel base luxury sedan which boasts of semi-aniline leather seats with ottoman and massage features. Following the LS460L model is the GS460, which is a 4.6L V8, eight-speed luxury sedan which bears a sporty elegance

The ES350 is a six-speed V6 luxury sedan catering to discriminating executives. On the other hand, the IS300 is expected to appeal to the performance purists younger set of affluent motoring enthusiasts. (PNA)
scs/ALM/BAC
Source:
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&nid=3&rid=181421

Further:
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=432572
http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?...ws5_jan15_2009

Original thread from when the P1-B firm Lexus Manila was announced, with picture of the dealership under construction:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...us-manila.html

Photos: http://justadose.blogspot.com/2009/0...-now-open.html
Attached Thumbnails Lexus launches in Philippines-lexus-manila.jpg  
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 06:57 PM
  #2  
lex-phil's Avatar
lex-phil
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: BC
Default

Found the pricelist in another forum (motioncars.com): (in USD using xe.com)
IS300 - Php 2,938,000.00 - ($62,331.60)
ES350 - Php 3,678,000.00 - ($78,031.18)
GS460 - Php 5,328,000.00 - ($113,037.02)
LX570 - Php 7,218,000.00 - ($153,134.61)
LS460 - Php 7,268,000.00 , Php 8,238,000.00 (4-Seater Model) - ($154,621.85 - $175,257.95)

3rd gen. RX350 will be out in March for Php 4,200,000 or $89,154.93.

Prices are ridiculous, but car prices in the Philippines are among the lowest in the region. And people still buy these vehicles.

Here's a shot of the dealership (same angle as the one in the other thread)
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:15 PM
  #3  
RXGS's Avatar
RXGS
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,627
Likes: 211
From: .
Default

If lexus is just getting there, how come when i went there, i saw at least 7 of em floating around, mostly lx470's. I am guessing they came from other countries?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:20 PM
  #4  
lex-phil's Avatar
lex-phil
Driver
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: BC
Default

^ Grey market imports. Many luxury cars are still sold through importers, even brands that have a dealership in the country. Reason for this is that their prices are competitive vs the dealership prices (several thousand pesos cheaper, usually).
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:26 PM
  #5  
RXGS's Avatar
RXGS
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,627
Likes: 211
From: .
Default

sounds like a way to make good money, i remember seeing an article about cars that the police found in the Philippines from thailand i think, and crushed em cause they were illegal
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:36 PM
  #6  
rsantiago's Avatar
rsantiago
Pole Position
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Carson, California currently in Makati City, PI
Default

Originally Posted by lex-phil
^ Grey market imports. Many luxury cars are still sold through importers, even brands that have a dealership in the country. Reason for this is that their prices are competitive vs the dealership prices (several thousand pesos cheaper, usually).
Yep, the only downside to Grey Market Imports is the red tape you'll have to deal with the customs and registration.

Anyway, hopefully, I'll get a chance to check this dealership (casa) out and snap some photos for my fellow Club Lexus Members.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:39 PM
  #7  
Gojirra99's Avatar
Gojirra99
CL Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,271
Likes: 349
From: Canada
Default

No LS600h for the Philippines ?
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 07:49 PM
  #8  
LexusChris's Avatar
LexusChris
Racer
20 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 10
From: New York
Default

Should take a trip to the Philippines and stop by haven't been back home in two years time to stop by again.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 08:53 PM
  #9  
pisaykotik's Avatar
pisaykotik
Lexus Champion
CL Folding 200,000
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,596
Likes: 0
From: NorCal
Default

Originally Posted by lex-phil
Found the pricelist in another forum (motioncars.com): (in USD using xe.com)
IS300 - Php 2,938,000.00 - ($62,331.60)
ES350 - Php 3,678,000.00 - ($78,031.18)
GS460 - Php 5,328,000.00 - ($113,037.02)
LX570 - Php 7,218,000.00 - ($153,134.61)
LS460 - Php 7,268,000.00 , Php 8,238,000.00 (4-Seater Model) - ($154,621.85 - $175,257.95)

3rd gen. RX350 will be out in March for Php 4,200,000 or $89,154.93.

Prices are ridiculous, but car prices in the Philippines are among the lowest in the region. And people still buy these vehicles.
Yep those are ridiculous prices and I totally agree with you that many would still buy these cars at those prices.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 10:21 PM
  #10  
I8ABMR's Avatar
I8ABMR
Lexus Fanatic
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 22,608
Likes: 105
From: Waiting for next track day
Default

wow thats a solid mark up.
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2009 | 10:44 PM
  #11  
lighthalo's Avatar
lighthalo
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: florida
Default

i wonder if customers take their shoes off upon entering inside the dealership? (customary) lolol
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 12:08 AM
  #12  
gshb's Avatar
gshb
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 1
From: CA
Default

wow, i know where that dealership is. i was wondering why there was no lexus in the philippines. soft suspension is perfect for the road conditions.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 04:50 AM
  #13  
rsantiago's Avatar
rsantiago
Pole Position
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Carson, California currently in Makati City, PI
Default

Originally Posted by I8ABMR
wow thats a solid mark up.
One thing to remember is the SRP (Suggested Retail Prices) shown also includes the 12% Value Added Tax. Here in the PI cars coming into this country is heavily taxed on displacement, so the higher the displacement the higher the price, BMW's and Benz's here are mostly 4 bangers, even the S-Class is only a S350. The traffic here in Manila is hell especially on weekdays, you'd be better off driving a Yaris or a Fit.

Usually, people that buy the nice cars in the PI are either connected with politics, Fli-Chinese businessmen with too much money to floss around.

For example an Honda Accord V6 cost nearly 2 million pesos or almost 44k dollars, even the 4 banger Camry's start at 1.4 million pesos or 30k dollars.

Last edited by rsantiago; Jan 18, 2009 at 04:58 AM.
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 06:58 AM
  #14  
Blackraven's Avatar
Blackraven
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
Default

Realizing that the dealership was almost closing last Saturday (it was around 6 pm already then), I had to rush over to the showroom yet I had no driver or car with me then..........so I had to rush to the dealership ON FOOT (yup from Makati to Fort Bonifacio )

Thankfully, I was able to make it just in time (even with sweat on my face).

Nevertheless, without further a do, I announce to all the good news: Lexus has now officially arrived here in the Philippines

Few pics on the dealership




Reply
Old Jan 18, 2009 | 07:08 AM
  #15  
Blackraven's Avatar
Blackraven
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,459
Likes: 1
From: Makati, Philippines
Default

GS 460









Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:33 AM.