Would a Lexus Pickup Make Sense for the U.S.?
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,499
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
Seems like the real trucks are ridiculously upscale now, for example, a loaded '19 RAM 1500. So I would say no, Lincoln and Caddy already tried.
I saw a YouTube where the guy pointed out that one side had chrome trim and the other black on the '19 RAM, and his wife noticed after they brought it home! But 12" screen in a work truck is nice.
I saw a YouTube where the guy pointed out that one side had chrome trim and the other black on the '19 RAM, and his wife noticed after they brought it home! But 12" screen in a work truck is nice.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,499
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
I've quickly dismissed this idea in the past, but I'm starting to come around to the idea. They would have to price it very carefully, as the Tacoma and Tundra already get pretty pricey. I'd see a better chance with the Tacoma size vs. a full size, as there are plenty of very luxuriously optioned full size trucks out there, but nothing in the mid size pickup range. Hmmm...dunno. It would probably sell, but I'm not sure that it would in substantial numbers.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
I don't know that a Lexus pickup would sell, but I think it would be interesting if Toyota considered a slightly higher scale model based off of the LandCruiser. The Land Cruiser is a step up (in most ways) from the Sequoia - so why not offer a pick up that's a step up from the Tundra and base it on the LandCruiser platform? Most people know and respect the history of the LandCruiser as a very rugged and reliable vehicle - seems that may fit well in the upper tier pick up line.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,499
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
I don't know that a Lexus pickup would sell, but I think it would be interesting if Toyota considered a slightly higher scale model based off of the LandCruiser. The Land Cruiser is a step up (in most ways) from the Sequoia - so why not offer a pick up that's a step up from the Tundra and base it on the LandCruiser platform? Most people know and respect the history of the LandCruiser as a very rugged and reliable vehicle - seems that may fit well in the upper tier pick up line.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
How are you defining "designed for America"? What gives the Land Cruiser part of its appeal is its performance in harsh environment and terrain across the world plus it having a level of status that goes along with such a ruggedly-capable vehicle (a rare mix to have status plus rugged capability). I think that aspect would be appealing to customers.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,499
Likes: 389
From: ON/NY
How are you defining "designed for America"? What gives the Land Cruiser part of its appeal is its performance in harsh environment and terrain across the world plus it having a level of status that goes along with such a ruggedly-capable vehicle (a rare mix to have status plus rugged capability). I think that aspect would be appealing to customers.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,871
Likes: 4,114
From: Maryland
Its an entirely different consumer. The Sprinter and Metras don’t sell to a luxury car consumer, they are commercial vehicles and the odd unusual huge family that might look at a Sprinter. They aren’t even held in the same showroom/area of the dealer.
Mercedes has a huge commercial division that we rarely see in the US, that’s where those vehicles come from. We’re not talking about a Lexus commercial pickup here.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
Likes: 0
From: MD
I think it would need to be more than a scooped out GX. Something funky and futuristic, but also stylish. ...take the first gen. Ridgeline, put a Lexus badge on it and plop the 3.5L and 6AT and it will blend right into the rest of the lineup...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,871
Likes: 4,114
From: Maryland
Most of the things we discuss in the Car Chat forum don't make a difference to us individually, but we still discuss them...thats the point of the forum.
As for the Metras, I wound up buying a Ford Transit Connect. The Metris is not a luxurious vehicle, nor is the Sprinter, they aren't supposed to be. They're commercial vans.
Metris:
A pickup is just a different sort of vehicle than vehicles in other segments. Buyers are SUPER brand loyal, they tend to exclusively buy pickup trucks...its just not a "luxury" consumer, even though the price point is the same. An American style pickup truck also is only sold in America, which would limit its volume and how much return they would make on its development. Luxury trucks are really a 1/2 ton thing, and they only sell about 115k Tundras as it is. How many Lexus Tundra variants might they sell?
Last edited by SW17LS; Aug 21, 2018 at 06:41 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,400
Likes: 622
From: IL
No it's not. If you tick every single option box and add every single accessory that doesn't conflict with another one (always choosing the most expensive option when there are conflicts), you get to $95k. And have a bizarrely-configured truck that no one would buy.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 391
From: PA
I was thinking about this last week.....assuming resources are limited, which they are for normal people....if you could only have 10 cars (not realistic but 10), would you keep all of the cars that you have today?
For me, I would keep the 2006 LS430, and 2007 335i, all else goes (leaving room for another 8). I think these are two cars every stable of 10 should have. If the number is reduced to 5? The LS430 is out. It really is a poorly handling car, the skidpad was .73g, that's awful bordering on unacceptable. I don't have a "sport" LS, but I can't see how different shocks/springs/sway bars can do much to the .73g. Then again, it's not designed to handle anyway....if one wants a Lexus pickup, why not just get a loaded Toyota? Though you're just not going to be able to park in the lot at the union hall (I asked about this on another forum and was told you don't do that, you would have to park on the street, but nobody is going to beat you up or anything).
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,580
Likes: 391
From: PA
I think when you go beyond F250, the vehicle inherently exists to do work. Even 250 is such. I watched vlogs where they towed 28,000 lbs. and the pickups were doing 3 mpg. Why would a vehicle like that need to be optioned out like say the 1500 RAM that I saw, was? Not everybody wants to be that way. It's like being in MASS and anchoring your 60'+ Sea Ray right next to a fisherman (who fishes as their livelihood) and not having a care in the world even as they curse at you. I'm sure decked out trucks come across that way to some...