Would a Lexus Pickup Make Sense for the U.S.?
CL Community Team
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From: IL
I think people who are calling the Cadillac EXT a failure are wrong. The EXT and Avalanche need to be viewed upon hand in hand. Just like a Land Cruiser and LX. The Avanlanche/EXT survived 12 years which makes it pretty successful IMO. The recession killed the future development. Also, the Avalanche/EXT was technically a Suburban more than it was a Silverado.
Basing it off the Land Cruiser would arguably be even worse, since now they have to re-engineer the platform to be a pickup, it would be too small for American tastes, and they would not likely be able to sell a Toyota version to help offset some of the engineering costs with some actual volume. The Avalanche was not a runaway success, but did push a little over 10x the volume that the EXT did--just enough to keep both on the market.
Lexus Fanatic
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
the 450 was (is) a tank, a slightly upgraded landcruiser. respectully yours is 22 years old though so not very relevant to product decisions now. the current lx570 is less off road capable than previous versions and while it has great towing capacity, i highly doubly any see any serious off roading in north america.
however, lexus u.s. website says it's rugged, so there is that
however, lexus u.s. website says it's rugged, so there is that
Lexus Fanatic
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From: ON/NY
the 450 was (is) a tank, a slightly upgraded landcruiser. respectully yours is 22 years old though so not very relevant to product decisions now. the current lx570 is less off road capable than previous versions and while it has great towing capacity, i highly doubly any see any serious off roading in north america.
however, lexus u.s. website says it's rugged, so there is that
now their page is pushing the 2 row instead presumably since it's cheaper but the 2 row still STARTS at 86k.
however, lexus u.s. website says it's rugged, so there is that
now their page is pushing the 2 row instead presumably since it's cheaper but the 2 row still STARTS at 86k.
For the Lexus LX 2-row, it just goes to show you how uncompetitive the LX is for North America. It’s just a tad bit too small. They are nice I will say.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Aug 23, 2018 at 07:34 AM.
Thread Starter
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Lexus Champion
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From: Illinois
Mercedes
Sometimes manufacturers need to take some chances and be a little experimental. If Lexus were to target the equestrian and marine industry, they would have a hit on their hands. If you have ever been around either (we have), high end (1/2 ton) trucks is what you see a lot of, more so with smaller horse trailers for horse jump competitions and fairs. This is the demographic.
For the Lexus LX 2-row, it just goes to show you how uncompetitive the LX is for North America. It’s just a tad bit too small. They are nice I will say.
Targeting the marine and/or equestrian markets would be too small and limited to have much of an effect at all on sales of a Lexus pickup. Usually entire brands focus on these niche segments to increase brand awareness. BMW in golf, sailing cup etc. Lexus in golf and tennis and Mercedes in whatever they sponsor.
Sometimes manufacturers need to take some chances and be a little experimental. If Lexus were to target the equestrian and marine industry, they would have a hit on their hands. If you have ever been around either (we have), high end (1/2 ton) trucks is what you see a lot of, more so with smaller horse trailers for horse jump competitions and fairs. This is the demographic.
For the Lexus LX 2-row, it just goes to show you how uncompetitive the LX is for North America. It’s just a tad bit too small. They are nice I will say.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Mercedes
Targeting the marine and/or equestrian markets would be too small and limited to have much of an effect at all on sales of a Lexus pickup. Usually entire brands focus on these niche segments to increase brand awareness. BMW in golf, sailing cup etc. Lexus in golf and tennis and Mercedes in whatever they sponsor.
Targeting the marine and/or equestrian markets would be too small and limited to have much of an effect at all on sales of a Lexus pickup. Usually entire brands focus on these niche segments to increase brand awareness. BMW in golf, sailing cup etc. Lexus in golf and tennis and Mercedes in whatever they sponsor.
Not sure why everyone seems to so offended.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Illinois
Not offended, just don't think it's a viable idea. Personally couldn't care less if Lexus launches a pick up. It would be interesting to hear someone from the brand pass along the rationale for not having one
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Lead Lap
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From: NY
Except for the first sentence, this is all true. The EXT was a complete sales flop, averaging 2k units/year. The only reason it existed in the first place and then stuck around was because the work was already done. It was literally an Avalanche with the trim from the already-existing Escalade bolted on, since they were the same truck up until the C-pillar. Almost nothing had to be created bespoke for the EXT. That would not be the case for a Lexus pickup truck, as there is no Lexus version of the Sequoia. Everything that would differentiate the TX570 or whatever they would call it from the Tundra would have to be engineered from scratch.
Basing it off the Land Cruiser would arguably be even worse, since now they have to re-engineer the platform to be a pickup, it would be too small for American tastes, and they would not likely be able to sell a Toyota version to help offset some of the engineering costs with some actual volume. The Avalanche was not a runaway success, but did push a little over 10x the volume that the EXT did--just enough to keep both on the market.
Basing it off the Land Cruiser would arguably be even worse, since now they have to re-engineer the platform to be a pickup, it would be too small for American tastes, and they would not likely be able to sell a Toyota version to help offset some of the engineering costs with some actual volume. The Avalanche was not a runaway success, but did push a little over 10x the volume that the EXT did--just enough to keep both on the market.
I'm a bit late to this thread but... a Lexus PICKUP? It doesn't make sense... you'd have an immaculate, high end interior and carpet that would get dirtied up and scuffed in short order if anything useful were to be done with it. And for all the body-on-frame hauling capability no one would ever want to put a scratch on the thing.
I know Cadillac does (or did) sell their own luxury pickup truck and that also makes no sense to me at all.
I suppose there is a market but... weird trend...
I know Cadillac does (or did) sell their own luxury pickup truck and that also makes no sense to me at all.
I suppose there is a market but... weird trend...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
I'm a bit late to this thread but... a Lexus PICKUP? It doesn't make sense... you'd have an immaculate, high end interior and carpet that would get dirtied up and scuffed in short order if anything useful were to be done with it. And for all the body-on-frame hauling capability no one would ever want to put a scratch on the thing.
I know Cadillac does (or did) sell their own luxury pickup truck and that also makes no sense to me at all.
I suppose there is a market but... weird trend...
I know Cadillac does (or did) sell their own luxury pickup truck and that also makes no sense to me at all.
I suppose there is a market but... weird trend...
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,426
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From: ON/NY