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High End Luxury Cars

24723 messages,  Last post on Jan 28, 2013 at 6:55 PM

You are in the Sedans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ-Series, Lexus LS 460, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Volkswagen Phaeton, Maserati Quattroporte, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, Sedan



Let's try to define this forum as being limited to luxury performance vehicles where the mainstream version in a typical configuration has an MSRP of at least $60k.

A luxury vehicle with a base price of $59k qualifies because it would typically be bought with some additional equipment, bringing the MSRP over $60k.

Vehicles like the E, 5, A6, M, or GS, even if available in certain versions over $60k, don't qualify because they are cars from companies that have higher end cars in their lineups.

Messages Page 1482 of 2473

#14808 of 24723 LJ by drfill

Apr 13, 2006 (7:18 pm)

   That was my point in Post #14802.
 
   In August 2005, BMW had only sold 382 760Li, YTD.
     
   They sold 46 this January, 54 last January.
 
   I'll presume Mercedes is selling 100-300% of that, so lets give an S600 1500 sales a year?
  
   Could a LS600L get 1000 in 8 months of 2007? Maybe.
 
   I think outselling the 760 should be an initial goal, then we'll reassess.
   
   With the Hybrid tech, AWD for Northern markets, hype, and substantial value, I'd try to get to 1000 units.
 
   I wonder what Merc thinks is realistic?
 
   DrFill

#14809 of 24723 Re: Initial impression [syswei] by british_rover

Apr 13, 2006 (7:22 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Apr 13, 2006 1:02 pm)
Nissan had a fairly large RWD sedan with a CVT tranny that was only sold in Japan. I don't remember the name although I might be able to track it down.
 
Well after a little looking I think the model I was thinking was called the Bluebird.
 
Here are a couple of articles.
 
http://www.nissan-global.com/GCC/Japan/NEWS/19991013_0e.html
 
http://www.autointell-news.com/News-2005/March-2005/Mar-2005-1/Mar-02-05-p9.htm

#14810 of 24723 Re: 2002 Acura RL [houdini1] by lexusguy

Apr 13, 2006 (9:16 pm)

Replying to: houdini1 (Apr 13, 2006 1:06 pm)
No rip snorting for the ES any time soon. While it is a brand new car, its already been in the mags, and you can always read the Edmunds review:
 
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=109687

#14811 of 24723 Re: Although they could easily do more [oac] by tagman

Apr 13, 2006 (9:30 pm)

Replying to: oac (Apr 13, 2006 6:34 pm)
with a 1-yr head start, Lexus may be trying to gauge the level of interest to determine production run
 
Exactly, oac. Bullseye.
 
There is good concensus here that production on the LS600hL will be somewhat limited, but also lots of speculation of course.
 
Consider that Lexus has had enough history of pre-orders on some of its vehicles to statistically extrapolate just how many pre-orders turn out to be bonafide sales. Assuming good communication with its dealer network, Lexus can make a very reasonable prediction regarding true demand and projected sales after a period of time of pre-orders. Production calculations and projections can then be made with greater assurance and Lexus will ultimately determine with strategic deliberation just how many LS600hL's it should manufacture. Now is that sweet or what? It's an enviable position any business would love to be in.
 
 
 
TagMan

#14812 of 24723 Re: merc1 [syswei] by merc1

Apr 13, 2006 (10:28 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Apr 13, 2006 7:39 am)
Well its going to be hard enough to get a diesel to be 50-state legal so imagine the engineering nightmare of getting that plus a brand new hybrid system to work with that. A daunting task for even Mercedes-Benz. Toyota has spent an untold amount in R&D on hybrids because no one else really had the cash to do it. A diesel-hybrid is at least 5 years off and it will be sold in Europe mainly, IMO. The Germans will do gas hybrids here and diesels over there IMO.
 
M

#14813 of 24723 Re: Merc, Two Tings! [drfill] by merc1

Apr 13, 2006 (10:31 pm)

Replying to: drfill (Apr 13, 2006 1:53 pm)
We'll see what happens, but you don't appear to have recovered yet.
 
I see you're making predictions about where the sales will come from, yet really the only folks really ogling about it so far are current Lexus folks.
 
I don't know what would be realistic as far as sales for a car like the LS600h until they price it. If it under 100K I can't see them limiting it to 2K a year. I'd sell at least 3K or more. Now if really does come in at 125K then 1-2K at best would be the goal. Oac is right about them likely introducing the car so early so they can gauge demand. This car will either soar or flop there won't be much middle ground, IMO.
 
M

#14814 of 24723 Re: Initial impression [syswei] by merc1

Apr 13, 2006 (10:33 pm)

Replying to: syswei (Apr 13, 2006 1:02 pm)
Some of the german fans were crowing about MB jumping from 5 to 7 speed AT....now Lexus leapfrogs to..."infinity and beyond"!
 
I seem to remember more than a few Lexusfans saying that a 7-Speed was pointless, I guess that is no longer the case with Lexus coming out with an 8-speed.
 
M

#14815 of 24723 diesel, diesel-hybrids by stevekilburn

Apr 13, 2006 (10:40 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Apr 13, 2006 10:28 pm)
The germans and the Japanese and everybody else will take different routes. The Germans are leaders in diesel and they will move towards diesel-hybrids.
 
Japanese will improve their diesel know-how and then use their advanced hybrid systems to get a japanese version of diesel hybrids.
 
I think all major OEM's will sell both gas-hybrids and diesel-hybrids in all continents. The localization will slowly dissolve into larger global context.

#14816 of 24723 Re: Although they could easily do more [oac] by merc1

Apr 13, 2006 (10:40 pm)

Replying to: oac (Apr 13, 2006 7:09 pm)
I think you're correct here, I can see a 100K price or maybe a little over that just for image, but not 125K. A 125K price would kill the value aspect for a lot of folks.
 
M

#14817 of 24723 LS 600h L price by stevekilburn

Apr 13, 2006 (10:42 pm)

Replying to: merc1 (Apr 13, 2006 10:31 pm)
Who wants to bet with me on pricing. I say it wont exceed $85K base MSRP.

Messages Page 1482 of 2473

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