Lexus is moving away from sedans and toward SUVs
#16
Lexus Fanatic
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 02-04-17 at 11:09 AM.
#17
Lexus Fanatic
From a strict, literal interpretation of the meaning of the word "coupe" (2-door) I would agree with you. But, in practicality, the Mercedes CLS, VW CC, and similar designs effectively function as 4-door coupes. And, to a lesser extent, did the now-discontinued Mazda RX-8 and its two small half-rear doors.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
The basic problem with the Land Cruiser and LX is that, while they are indeed excellent vehicles (I certainly agree with you there), they are simply too expensive. Relatively few buyers can afford them, and, at least here in the D.C. area where I live, most of the ones that can afford them seem to be going with the less-reliable Range Rover instead. Land Rover dealers in my area currently can't keep up with demand.
#19
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
From a strict, literal interpretation of the meaning of the word "coupe" (2-door) I would agree with you. But, in practicality, the Mercedes CLS, VW CC, and similar designs effectively function as 4-door coupes. And, to a lesser extent, did the now-discontinued Mazda RX-8 and its two small half-rear doors.
#20
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
The basic problem with the Land Cruiser and LX is that, while they are indeed excellent vehicles (I certainly agree with you there), they are simply too expensive. Relatively few buyers can afford them, and, at least here in the D.C. area where I live, most of the ones that can afford them seem to be going with the less-reliable Range Rover instead. Land Rover dealers in my area currently can't keep up with demand.
#21
Lexus Champion
#22
Lexus Test Driver
Lexus isn't moving away from sedans at all. They have not discontinued one. They have added the NX, RC, and LC. I'd say they are filling out their line-up to match market trends. Smaller crossovers are hot, so they need those to stay high. The rest, especially the ES and IS, will continue to move fine.
#23
Lexus Fanatic
There are some rumors that the GS may not be around much longer, but I have not yet seen anything I would consider credible enough to post. That's something that I should have asked the Lexus reps there at the D.C. auto show, but I had a million things on my mind there, and just forgot.
#24
Lexus Fanatic
To the point.
The average height has increased a little from 5'9" to 5'10", while weight has increased considerably.
Overpopulation reduces land size blocks.
Family sizes are smaller, yet Gen Y children are staying home with their parents longer, thus the increase in internal square feet area as the internal sizes of homes are bigger than ever.
Smaller land size combined with larger homes means "vertical" living via two storey buildings, and even high rise buildings in the inner city.
Ditto motor vehicles.
Here, the slightly taller, but considerably heavier [obese] human body frame preferences a larger motor vehicle.
However limitations in road space no longer prefers the big long wide sedans of the 1970's, but rather the shorter, narrower, yet much taller SUV's of today.
Crossovers are sedan-based, while SUV's are truck ladder-type chassis based, but commoners keep using the term SUV in place of the correct term crossovers - so we just accept that...
.
The average height has increased a little from 5'9" to 5'10", while weight has increased considerably.
Overpopulation reduces land size blocks.
Family sizes are smaller, yet Gen Y children are staying home with their parents longer, thus the increase in internal square feet area as the internal sizes of homes are bigger than ever.
Smaller land size combined with larger homes means "vertical" living via two storey buildings, and even high rise buildings in the inner city.
Ditto motor vehicles.
Here, the slightly taller, but considerably heavier [obese] human body frame preferences a larger motor vehicle.
However limitations in road space no longer prefers the big long wide sedans of the 1970's, but rather the shorter, narrower, yet much taller SUV's of today.
Crossovers are sedan-based, while SUV's are truck ladder-type chassis based, but commoners keep using the term SUV in place of the correct term crossovers - so we just accept that...
.
#25
Lead Lap
There are some rumors that the GS may not be around much longer, but I have not yet seen anything I would consider credible enough to post. That's something that I should have asked the Lexus reps there at the D.C. auto show, but I had a million things on my mind there, and just forgot.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Wouldn't really affect me much personally, anyway, since I'm generally not one of the GS's target buyers.
#27
Lexus Fanatic
They are simply too antiquated to be competitive with RR or any other premium modern SUVs. Most people lease these days, so reliability is a moot point. They may be great for someone who lives in the boonies and needs offroad and towing capabilities, but they are utterly lousy for urban drivers.
#28
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
Not true at all. The Land Cruiser and the Lx vs RR have their own niche market and buyers. The LC and LX serve the Toyota customer very very well. Same with 4Runner and GX. Range Rover on the other hand serves their target market extremely well. As for the use of the vehicles, Toyota body on frame SUVs are excellent for a variety of uses, either in the city, on the highway, towing a boat, hauling 5-7 people, heading to the ski hill or country home. You can't go wrong with Toyota body on frame SUVs. As for the cross overs, the Toyota cross overs are good for the city slickers, light snow, occasion travel with 5 adults etc etc.
#29
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (3)
Lexus isn't moving away from sedans at all. They have not discontinued one. They have added the NX, RC, and LC. I'd say they are filling out their line-up to match market trends. Smaller crossovers are hot, so they need those to stay high. The rest, especially the ES and IS, will continue to move fine.
#30
Lexus Fanatic
Not true at all. LC, LX, and GX all sells about 2500 a month. That is not a niche. Add in Toyota 4RUNNER and the Sequoia and you are looking at about 15k plus in Toyota body on frame sales per month. What you are not understanding is that the SUVs from Porsche and Audi sell to "their" brand while the Lexus and Toyota SUVs sell to "their" brand. None of the Lexus SUVs compete with Porsche, and why would they want that? That is not the Lexus SUVs brand. As for MB, Audi, again those brands sell to "their" customers. A Toyota body on frame SUV is not for everyone, but at the same time a RR SUV is not for everyone either.