definitely, and that's why it's selling!

 

Source

Toyota Is a Haven in the Auto Storm

Toyota’s cars are known for being practical and reliable, albeit without much character. The same can be said for the Japanese car maker itself, which delivered a stable performance last quarter despite the spluttering global auto market.

On Friday, the world’s top auto maker by market value reported better-than-expected sales and profit growth for the three months through June. The company revised down its guidance for its fiscal year ending next March, but that is almost entirely due to currency—the yen has appreciated 2.6% against the dollar this year.

 

I had to laugh when I read that the writer didn't think Toyota vehicles had much character. To the extent that "character" means "quirky," I'll happily do without character, thanks. I've had several cars that came loaded with character.

 

Here is a breakdown of what Toyota is doing with some of their money.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20.../#.XUon7dFE2hA

 

^and saving a bunch of it...

But the old heads just want the LS to be a Lexus S-Class for 25% off.

 

I don't mind TMC saving money at all, however I don't think that is really their reason.

I believe that presently there are too many different engine variations including: gasoline, diesels, turbos, 48 V electric turbos, hybrids, plug-ins, hydrogen fuel cell electric, lithium ion electric, and solid state electric - it makes financial sense to restrict the number of engine variations, until a clear technology emerges.


As for old heads wanting LS to be an S Class for 25% less?
I don't think so.
I think people want the LS to be a success.
I think people want the LS to actually be purchased by consumers - rather than selling just 300+/month after only 15 months.

nicedude, you have been given the opportunity to transform the 5LS into a Porsche Panamera or whatever, but it is disappointing that you can only get 300+ buyers/month after just 15 months.
With this sort of disastrous sales response, I don't think Lexus will allow you to have the 6LS in the same format as the current 5LS.
LS must be commercially viable to sell.
We can't have too many loss making white elephants on top of the LFA, LC and RC coupes.


Model S and LS?
Although the 5LS is only EPA midsize, the 5LS is still a full size luxury sedan.
In the same way, although Model S is EPA full size [thanks to its frunk space], it is still actually only in the midsize luxury sedan class.
If you ever sit in the back of Model S, it simply doesn't have the legroom to compete with a full size sedan - even a 5LS has quite generous rear leg room.
Model S is not a chauffer type of car.

However, there is absolutely nothing wrong with comparing a Corolla with a Lexus LX!
Although the two vehicle are not direct competitors, there is nothing wrong with such comparison.
I've seen people compare 5 Series with LS; they're not direct competitors, but there is nothing wrong with such comparisons, because in reality, consumers really do cross-shop between a Corolla and an LX - this is NOT common, but it certainly does occur now and then.
Model S and 5LS certainly does compete - though not directly...
.

 

Who is "we?" You don't represent Lexus. Good thing too. You can harp on all you want about the slow selling sporty offerings all you want, but without those offerings, you might as well just buy some Acuras. If you know, you know.

No ish man. I already posted an article in the past with an Lexus VP stating they have lost LS sales to the Model S. That was like over five years ago. You think the trend is going to end? Nope.

We agree more than we disagree about Lexus. I just like the sporty offerings and you think they are a waste of money. It is what it is.

 

No, I do not pretend to represent Lexus.
I only give my educated guess on what they can do to get a healthy lot of consumers to buy their products.
As I said a number of times before: Sales are fact, but my explanation for how certain models sell is only my opinion, and we all have a right to an opinion without being mocked by another poster.

I don't mind sporty offerings at all eg Tesla Model S, because at least consumers are buying it.
However, to make a sporty offering that consumers are not interested in purchasing - that is something else.

Like I say, I don't mind a few white elephants in the LFA, RC and CL coupe - but we can't have too many loss making white elephants, and I'm sure that President Akio knows that better than anybody.

 

Was wondering the same question, what is behind the weird Toyota strategy.

 

The market has become much more complex than 10 years ago. I would say they want to be decisive and clear that any move they make will translate into a success.
The RX series is due for a refresh.
Information display interfaces needs work. They absolutely have to get it right and re-engineer car's
The status of the GS series is called into question. The Model 3 became a market disruption to everyone. Soon it will be a Model Y and the truck.
The entire market is re-calculating their next move to the right product mix of sedan/hybrid/suv/trucks. BMW blew it with their electrification strategy and too broad of a line up.
The eventual phasing out of 3G technology this December means cars integrated with 2G/3G tech are obsolete tech wise (think Audi).
5G will truly be the next tech evolution into a true wireless experience with the car. Imagine no need to plug in the phone for any other reason to charge it.
These things take 2-4 years to sort out and get mainstreamed. Before we know it, the NX will be due for a refresh. The vicious cycle never ends to stay relevant.

Overall, it is freakin complicated for a giant company and they may very well be 'slow' to adapting change or disrupting the current supply & mfg process too much. Subaru has embraced the stay competitive and bold to change/adapt from one year to another. One look at how the Forrester & Outback has evolved over past 5 years is a solid testament to putting the best of what they have to offer in the Ascent.

Toyota sticking with a 'design' for 7 years won't cut the competitive mustard for the next decade. If anything, Toyota seems to be reevaluating their identity with so much tech changes in flux. They better get their winning plan together with something big every year for 5 years straight starting in '21, '22... to '25 years and embrace a long tech curve of standardization and integration with 5G technologies. One quick look back at the LS430 ultra luxury is a reminder of how bold they were at the time doing navigation all alone early 2000's. That's not necessary this time around. It's going to be a tech integration challenge for the next 5-10 years. They can do it. Will it be too late or have the toyota/lexus reliability & loyalty diehards moved on to greener & sexier alternatives? Only time will tell!

 

They'd have another $100k of my money if it were.

 

counterpoint - the tesla s was introduced 7 years ago and still seems to be 'current'.

agree! i had a 2000 gs400 and my neighbor had a bmw 540i and we both laughed at his horrendous and useless cd-based nav system while my hard drive based system worked well.

 

I think Toyota is just out of talent, or has a toxic environment that wont allow fresh talent. Between Toyota and Lexus their whole line up is downright pathetic, they are no longer leading in anything. There is only one Toyota that I care about, and its a BMW.

 

They are leading in profits..and in hybrids...and US job hiring at the moment. Fuel economy across many of their products is quite competitive. Leading CR in recommended models. Unmatched reliability as well. Toyota and Lexus still do lots of things the right way.

 

I can say that the 2019 Toyota Camry doors are like paper thin.