I posted this info on the gen 8 forum but not many go there so here it is... Lexus of Fremont added $9999.00 to MSRP of a 2026 ES EV. Price of the car is over $63,000.00.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Lexus/comme...9_markup_over/

 

Testing the market I suppose but doubtful the demand is there until they hook a really dopey consumer.

 

I posted this there as well, they're clearly testing the market and likely aiming to secure some early profit given the probable expected US slow sales of this 8gen.
====================================================================
This NYT news today should be worrisome for Toyota/Lexus and dealers selling these newer EVs, like the 8gen ES, specially with the current economy.

IMHO, Honda/Toyota are playing catch-up in a market dominated by other brands that design EVs from the ground up with better style, tech, performance, and pricing. Regardless of the subjective 8gen ES styling, offering that level of performance and specs at such a high price point, especially compared to alternatives, doesn't bode well for sales IMHO.

I'm fully supportive of EVs as their driving characteristics are superior to HEVs IMHO. I don't own one yet because I haven't transitioned to solar, and electricity costs in my area are high enough to offset potential charging savings. Also, as of now, I personally prefer the convenience of a very quick regular gas fill-up (~10 gallons) and not having to worry about charging wait times or range anxiety during my occasional out-of-home long weekend trips.

Additionally, if you're like me and tend to keep vehicles for a long time (10+ yrs) or pass them on to family members, you'll probably face an expensive $$$ out-of-warranty battery replacement due to age degradation and been a large battery pack which usually cost more to replace than the car's current market value at that point. That's why some people view EVs as somewhat disposable cars. For those who lease or don't keep their cars long-term, this is less of a concern, as current battery technology can generally last well over 200k+ miles before any significant age-related degradation becomes an issue.

 

From the picture it looks like most of the add-ons is from the convenience package ,mats and wheel lock, and some other things. It’s kind of crazy to charge all of that because base price for the one that they showed the picture of was 47K thereabouts. I don’t understand why they put things on the car without people saying that they actually want things on there.

 

From the Dealer Asking Price sticker, I see Lexus of Fremont is owned by the Swickard Auto Group. If the Alaska AG lawsuit settlement, Attorney General *** Secures Landmark Consumer Protection Resolution with Swickard Car Dealerships—$800,000 now, $200,000 More if Misconduct Continues, is an indication of Swickard Auto Group's corporate wide practices, Swickard Auto Group dealerships are active contributors to giving all auto dealers a bad reputation.

In examining the Lexus of Fremont's website's 2026 LEXUS ES 350E New Vehicles listing matching the Reddit posted window sticker photo, I see Lexus of Fremont is doing the same Swickard Auto Group deceptive advertising practices they got dinged for by the Alaska AG. The website advertised price is $51,744 (including the $85 document fee); whereas, on the Dealer Asking Price sticker, the price is $63,435 (without any mention of a document fee).

Overall, not very conducive to enticing one to do business with Lexus of Fremont. A quick search reveals there are 7 other Lexus dealerships in the San Francisco, CA area, so there's got to be at least one of those that aren't quite as consumer hostile as Lexus of Fremont appears to be.

 

Unfortunately, many dealers do this, while others will throw the fees, add-ons and extended warranties at closing when buyers are already worn out and ready to sign. Some people focus only on the monthly payment and may not notice these extras at signing; especially if the payment stays within their target, even if it's a 7+ year lease.

 

It pays to research and do your due diligence. I recently went shopping for a car with my partner, and if both of us weren’t cognizant of the tricks that they pull, we definitely wouldn’t have gotten almost 8000 off MSRP. Both of us at all times were ready and willing to walk a lot of people either don’t know or don’t put in the time to do research on such a high price object, and therefore sometimes get finessed

 

They don't get finessed, they get screwed...

 

lol I was trying to say it in a nice way, but yes screwed

 

Agree, doing research first, no purchase rushing, being willing to walk away at any time, and decline add-ons at signing are the best ways to increase chances for a good deal.
When buyers are in a hurry or show emotions for a specific model or color, that's when sharks smell the blood and buyers become easy prey.

 

I don't think they will sell more than 5000 2026 ES

 

They will have to actually have some for sale to sell any. Tonight, there are 5 ES electrics in stock within 500 miles of NE Indiana, at three dealers, 450-491 miles away. And no ES hybrids anywhere before June. However many they sell, I bet most will be hybrids once they actually have some on the lot.

Trying 500 miles from NYC, I got my same first five plus two more nearer NYC. I did another search for 500 miles from San Francisco and there were more hits than I could count, so I guess the west coast is where they thought the market is.

 

What website are you using?

 

If you go to Lexus.com and go to shop es, you have to put in the zip code. Now the es’s are showing up in inventory. You have to play with the filters though

 

Yes, I used the Lexus website filtered for ES all electric and 500 miles. It only searches up to 500 miles from the ZIP code you enter, so no nationwide results are given.