We’ve just posted on BMW recording a big jump in sales and profits. They have to come from somwhere, and a unit gained by Munich is a sale lost by rivals such as Lexus. The North American market is crucial to Toyota’s luxury brand, and recently released July US figures don’t look good for the Japanese – while Audi sales were up 17% and BMW’s 12.3% compared to the same month last year, Lexus volumes slipped by 21.81%.
They’re not standing still, though. Automotive News reports that a major lineup revamp is in the cards, and Lexus’ GS, ES, IS and LS sedans will be either redesigned or re-engineered by spring 2013.
And as hinted by the Lexus GS prototype recently caught testing on Nurburgring, the next generation models will be more dynamic to drive – why else would they bring it to Green Hell and back?
They will look sharper too, as we’ve seen from the LF-Gf hybrid concept. The report adds that Lexus models will have a major change every three years, alternating between sheet metal and powertrain, like how BMW does it.
Besides the sportier new GS, which will debut early next year, the dowdy Lexus ES (pic above) will be redesigned in the summer of 2012 to look more different from donor car Toyota Camry. Its handling will be sharpened and there will be a hybrid option good for 40 mpg (14.2 km/l) combined.
Later in 2012, the compact IS sedan will be re-engineered, based on a shrunken version of the new GS platform. The good looking current car has been around since 2005, so it’s about time for a new one.
The brand’s flagship LS limo will remain for 2012, as a redesign is only due in spring 2013. Apparently, weight saving technology using premium materials is a main focus point, and Lexus will stick with a V8 engine for the range topping hybrid variant. The RX SUV will soldier on till 2014.
Lastly, an “LFA Roadster” will be offered, after the current run of 500 fixed top units is done, plus a one-year gap. That should be around mid 2014. It’s not too big a surprise, as Lexus has shown a topless LFA concept before. Can you imagine the sound of that V10 without a roof in place? It’s gonna be epic for sure!
Stiff competition forces carmakers to keep improving, which is good news for us, the consumer.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
“Stiff competition forces carmakers to keep improving, which is good news for us, the consumer.”
Ermm..I guess the ‘us’ is applicable in the US according to the above story. We still get Malaysian version for any make.
“Stiff competition forces carmakers to keep improving, which is good news for us, the consumer.”
– This statement is not applicable in Malaysia with NAP environment! So we don’t enjoy good quality car at market price.
the LS front grill look abit weird….just like hyundai sonata… i dont mean look like sonata… just something weird about them…..mayb a little too fierce for my liking…
LS? the LS looks like a Sonata? What a joke man! Do you know how long has the latest LS been around? If you think its grille looks the one on the Sonata, that’s because ‘some’ car company has been copying it. Period.
i mean the GS….
wow lfa roadster. but still prefer the coupe. damn, cant i get one of this supercar?
maybe the existence of lexus is no longer required
because as mentioned, the brands that surpassed lexus sales in the north american market are just mainstream makers
what exactly a brand lexus does?
a posh version of toyota? the same way infinity is for nissan?
Lexus may not have a very exclusive history but they, with no doubt has forced the other car makers to put better accessories into their cars to compete with Lexus as Lexus has long been known for being better equipped.
Also, the Germans have previously (maybe now still do) been comparatively bad in fuel consumption, the Japs have also made them do better.
Still living in the automotive dark ages i see…..
Indeed, Lexus may not have moved the goal posts further but they have creatinly made the competition stiffer. and less not forget, the LS is still one heck of a magic carpet ride. The S and the 7 might be better, but the LS is not far behind.
Just like the S2000,Lexus slowly moving into history channel…they cant catch up with the Germans in branding, and yet stuck in between the Toyota/Honda and BMW/Merc.
They are in between…however, their Harrier is the best.
Toyota Aurion-based Camry sold in our countries are too boxy… Still prefer JDM Camry for sportiness, or Honda Accord Crosstour for big-hatchback-praticiality.
Check out the Toyota Venza, i personally think it looks much better than the Honda. XD
Toyota Venza is NOT a hatch, and Toyota never making a big hatchback. I prefer Renault Vel Satis, the French E-segment large hatchback.
that old ES was really2 beautiful, the new ES looks like a beached whale…
lexus is just a glorified toyota. bout time the americans realised it!!!
to realise what? that all Audis are enlarged Volkswagen?
at least volkswagen is already semi-premium to begin with. they don’t make rubbish cars like the vios.
vw semi premium….yeah in malaysia elsewhere is a poor man’s car
hey wait! where’s the side mirror for that LF??? :D
Lexus is just an overprice and overrated piece of crap!!! At least the ppl are getting smarter now!
but you get more refinement, more mileage per tank, better accessories, lower maintenance fee and higher resale value when you already pay less for their cars when you buy it. Crap? yes, your comment is.
hmm why the jap bashing? yes they may not be moving as aggressively as the koreans but to me it’s still a good car. competition is good for us consumer. sometimes it’s just blind bashing ……. :D ………. kinda remind me of isheep
bcos in malaysia lexus is priced more than merc n bmw.
while in the usa, the equivalent model is at least 20% cheaper than the germans.
in malaysia people that can afford the lexus, bmw, merc, jag etc i don’t think they have the same criteria as those looking at <200k cars. they may not just look at pricing alone, exclusivity is one area. anyway if these dealers are too greedy it will comeback and bite their ass one day :D ……..good example is kar motor when they are franchise for honda, look at them now.