Why aren't Lexus doing better?
Discussion
This was prompted by a recent What Car thread.
As far as I can tell, Lexuses seem to tick many of the boxes that people want to see ticked:
And yet I see hardly any of them on the roads. The new LS was launched last year and since then I have seen a grand total of 2. In the same time I must have seen dozens of 13-plate and 63-plate S-classes and XJs. The new IS has been out for a while and I have seen only 3 on the roads, compared to countless 63-plate C-class and 3-series.
So, why don't more people buy them?
I thought it might be because of the styling. Some people find the styling heavy handed. But the Bangle era 5-series was no oil painting, and that didn't stop it selling in vast numbers. And I'm not sure the other German makes are much better.
Is it because they don't do diesels? And that people don't like the hybrid stuff?
Is it because they lack sporting character? I remember seeing the Fifth Gear review of the GS450h on YouTube. They spent a large part of the video complaining that they couldn't get it to drift because of all the electronics. This seemed a little misplaced, while it makes for interesting TV I am not sure that this is a relevant use case for most of the population.
Are they treated unfairly by the motoring press? I can't remember the last time I read a really positive review of a Lexus - the summary always seems to be "buy a BMW/Audi/Merc".
Is it because they don't publicise themselves enough?
Is it the lack of brand heritage? The pricing? The perception that they are just a Toyota in a nice frock?
Or maybe they are popular and I'm just living/working in the wrong neighborhood?
(Note, this is not meant to start anything unpleasant. I'm genuinely interested.)
As far as I can tell, Lexuses seem to tick many of the boxes that people want to see ticked:
- They are built to high standards. Proper quality rather than just a nice surface finish.
- They are very reliable. They seem to be capable of huge mileage over many years, without suffering expensive failure.
- They come preloaded with pretty much everything, no nickel and diming on the options list.
- The dealers are generally nice, and have a reputation for going out of their way to help rather than ripping you off.
- They have interesting tech/gadgets.
And yet I see hardly any of them on the roads. The new LS was launched last year and since then I have seen a grand total of 2. In the same time I must have seen dozens of 13-plate and 63-plate S-classes and XJs. The new IS has been out for a while and I have seen only 3 on the roads, compared to countless 63-plate C-class and 3-series.
So, why don't more people buy them?
I thought it might be because of the styling. Some people find the styling heavy handed. But the Bangle era 5-series was no oil painting, and that didn't stop it selling in vast numbers. And I'm not sure the other German makes are much better.
Is it because they don't do diesels? And that people don't like the hybrid stuff?
Is it because they lack sporting character? I remember seeing the Fifth Gear review of the GS450h on YouTube. They spent a large part of the video complaining that they couldn't get it to drift because of all the electronics. This seemed a little misplaced, while it makes for interesting TV I am not sure that this is a relevant use case for most of the population.
Are they treated unfairly by the motoring press? I can't remember the last time I read a really positive review of a Lexus - the summary always seems to be "buy a BMW/Audi/Merc".
Is it because they don't publicise themselves enough?
Is it the lack of brand heritage? The pricing? The perception that they are just a Toyota in a nice frock?
Or maybe they are popular and I'm just living/working in the wrong neighborhood?
(Note, this is not meant to start anything unpleasant. I'm genuinely interested.)
It's an interesting one, because they make some fantastic cars. I think styling has been one of their biggest issues. That and the fact that they pitched themselves squarely at the American market, and considered success elsewhere a bonus.
So, that styling. Things like the mkII GS are attractive (from some angles), in an unconventional and quirky way. But the styling of a lot of their cars has been slightly derivative (the LS400 aping the W140 S Class). Some of the styling details, like the back end of the first IS, have been absolutely dreadful.
In their favour, they are stunning engineers. A look around a new LS or GS will tell you that! Some of the interior details and engineering touches would not be out of place on a Mercedes (though now that Mercedes are getting their mojo back, they offer a far stronger competition than they have for a long time). However, they have no fleet appeal in the UK, which is probably their biggest failing. They're not known for their diesel engines, and diesel is accepted by the man on the street as a byword for cheap running costs (though is changing, and was never the case for those in the know!). The hybrids are likely viewed with some suspicion.
So, that styling. Things like the mkII GS are attractive (from some angles), in an unconventional and quirky way. But the styling of a lot of their cars has been slightly derivative (the LS400 aping the W140 S Class). Some of the styling details, like the back end of the first IS, have been absolutely dreadful.
In their favour, they are stunning engineers. A look around a new LS or GS will tell you that! Some of the interior details and engineering touches would not be out of place on a Mercedes (though now that Mercedes are getting their mojo back, they offer a far stronger competition than they have for a long time). However, they have no fleet appeal in the UK, which is probably their biggest failing. They're not known for their diesel engines, and diesel is accepted by the man on the street as a byword for cheap running costs (though is changing, and was never the case for those in the know!). The hybrids are likely viewed with some suspicion.
leafspring said:
What's their dealer network like?...
I can't recall ever actually seeing a Lexus dealership. But I do know where there's a Seat, Ford, 2x Vauxhall and Peugeot dealership all within 20minutes of my front door.
Their dealers are fantastic. I've been in a few times for work matters (never to buy, sadly) and the staff have always been well informed and very polite to deal with. A cut above the usual bags of slack you find in car dealerships; everyone at Lexus, from the girl on reception to the sales manager, knows their stuff! I can't recall ever actually seeing a Lexus dealership. But I do know where there's a Seat, Ford, 2x Vauxhall and Peugeot dealership all within 20minutes of my front door.
Depreciation is worse than the German equivalents, and Lexus don't seem to give the same "support" to dealers to discount or offer cheap finance deals. You'd have to really want one if you're paying a lot more each month for it. The hybrids are good but don't have the congestion charge exemption any more. No estates (how many A4/A6 Avants or BMW tourings do you see these days?) is a bit of a problem.
I see quite a few RXs about, they seem to be a really good option in that sector and without the image problem of X5 and the rest.
I see quite a few RXs about, they seem to be a really good option in that sector and without the image problem of X5 and the rest.
SJG has hit the nail on the head & IMO the lack of diesel & estate variants is a big error.
I would certainly give serious thought to a GS estate if it existed.
I remember driving 1 of the first LS400`s in the early 90`s & I could not believe how good it was compared to my fathers Bentley!
It was stuffed full of kit & oh so quiet. Dont think it handled that well but I dont suppose the S Class of the time did either.
There do seem to be a lot of the RX model in my area though.
I would certainly give serious thought to a GS estate if it existed.
I remember driving 1 of the first LS400`s in the early 90`s & I could not believe how good it was compared to my fathers Bentley!
It was stuffed full of kit & oh so quiet. Dont think it handled that well but I dont suppose the S Class of the time did either.
There do seem to be a lot of the RX model in my area though.
te and actually unreliable which was rare for a Lexus!williamp said:
Not everyone like toys, plastic-looking leather and quality plastics. They seem to me to be worthy but dull. Like he boy who had all the toys at school, yet you never bothered to play with him as he was boring.
I have to say I like Lexus. Though up until 2006 the interiors were really poor when compared their competitors.
too much plastic and just hideous looking, this has changed now though.
Design wise the shaping has been very unremarkable, I think the new IS and RX look good now.
I have my eye on a 2007 GS, looks like a lot of car for the money.
I'm rather fond of my LS. It will at some time be replaced with another.
My experience of their dealers is that they have a way with customer service that other supposed premium dealers can only dream of. No idea if that's because they are not the size of the others, but they do the presentation,service and information update parts of their business very well.
My experience of their dealers is that they have a way with customer service that other supposed premium dealers can only dream of. No idea if that's because they are not the size of the others, but they do the presentation,service and information update parts of their business very well.
leafspring said:
What's their dealer network like?...
I can't recall ever actually seeing a Lexus dealership. But I do know where there's a Seat, Ford, 2x Vauxhall and Peugeot dealership all within 20minutes of my front door.
By FAR the best dealers out there. They put other so called 'Premium' dealers to shame. There's a reason Lexus dealers are always topping customer satisfaction surveys! I'd take a Lexus over a German any day of the week, budget allowing of courseI can't recall ever actually seeing a Lexus dealership. But I do know where there's a Seat, Ford, 2x Vauxhall and Peugeot dealership all within 20minutes of my front door.
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