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Sedans Lexus LS 460/460L Lexus LS 460/LS 460L Styling Impressions
3321 messages, Last post on Apr 22, 2007 at 12:29 PM
You are in the Lexus LS 460/460L Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Like it or not, the LWB model, and the car in general, are nothing like the current car, and shouldn't be priced like it. It would only reinforce a class-down image that Lexus deserves to shake. If a buyer can't accept a $15k value over a comparable S550, those aren't the customers that Lexus needs. They just want somethin' for nothin'. Lexus can now sell the LS on size, features, looks, and power. A $25k lower price is no longer necessary!  DrFill
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Replying to: drfill (Aug 13, 2006 10:57 am) |
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| As I pointed out in message #2288 I am actually an investor in TM. Lexus has made substantial inroads against MB,BMW,Audi with their policy of offering substantially more value. I believe very strongly that should continue. The largest German weekly, Der Spiegel, gave the GS450h a strong writeup on its performance, fuel efficiency and ultra low emissions. So performance hybrids are recognized and accepted. As I mentioned in message #2288, the LS600h should be marketed aggressively in Europe and the home market Japan, even if that means drastically limiting USA supplies. Since I'm interested in purchasing one that isn't good for me personally but as a part owner of TM that's the policy I hope they follow | |
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Replying to: idele (Aug 12, 2006 8:48 am) Imagine some body telling you to carry on same business practices as you were 20 years ago. Your company will be wiped out! Luxury is in the mind and to capture the essence of luxury a price based exclusivity is a must. There is no such thing as value-Luxury. Its an oxymoron created by morons. There will never be a luxury brand offering value-luxury. Look at what happened to Acura. They completely destroyed their brand by not properly differentiating their TSX, TL and RL lines. They also went from bottom-up and not from top-down like Lexus did. And now they have trouble selling RL. RL is not much longer and wider than TL. TL already provides customers with an excellent package so why would they go to RL? This is what they call improper positioning. In the same manner if Lexus continues to price LS 460 at E-class prices, it will be psychologically damaging. Luxury buyers will buy Lexus by the thousands and yes the model will bring in profits, but the brand will suffer dramatically. Lexus will forever remain a value proposition in their mind. To become a true luxury brand lexus should shun value-pricing, cut-rate pricing and price the LS 460 at least as much as Audi A8 +/- 1000$ at most. LS 460 SWB = 67-68$ LS 460 LWB: 71-72K$. The LS is not about lower costs and lower pricing. its about evolving the brand. If you feel onus is on germans to bring down their costs and price their cars lower then so be it. In the long run Lexus should maintain the technological edge and move from Audi to BMW pricing and then gun for the S-class itself. Remember, its meritocracy first and heritage after. No one cares who you were, but what you are today???
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I don't understand.  Did someone say the LS doesn't ride well? It doesn't handle as well as the Germans, but ride is different, and generally regarded as better in the Lexus! I'm sure the new S550 has as good a ride quality as the LS. But I don't think people are buying the S becuase it has great handling. The 7 handles better, and sells far less. Hopefully the Next LS will find the medium between the 7's handling and the S' computer-controlled ride. Something tells me when Lexus asks current customers for ways to make the LS better, cat-like handling isn't front and center. It's competent, but won't excite. Hopefully they can court new, younger buyers with a more dynamic personality. DrFill
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Replying to: stevekilburn (Aug 13, 2006 1:50 pm) |
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Replying to: drfill (Aug 13, 2006 3:22 pm) I'm not sure what that all means exactly, but the German cars are generally well known to have better handling and performance dynamics than the Lexus. The Lexus LS is better known to provide a soft "comfy" ride, although after many hours the less-supportive softer seats have been reported by many to be less desireable than the more supportive seats typically found in the German vehicles. For typical use, it is generally a matter of preference. Have you driven an S-Class for yourself to understand the difference first hand? Regarding price policy . . . Lexus is implementing the perfect strategy by tiering the LS into a standard and upper bracket. It is important that the standard LS be less expensive than the German counterparts, as that creates the "value" that Lexus is known for and the customer base expects. As a vehicle significantly less expensive than the German counterparts, the LS shines as a terrific buy. Without that value, Mercedes would most likely be the marque to gain the most, IMO. The upper tier of the LS600hL will do very well because it will be unique, and I dare use the word "exclusive", IMO.  TagMan |
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Replying to: tagman (Aug 13, 2006 5:07 pm) I also hope that Lexus improves on the driving dynamics but I'm not sure that they want to. Too much of their core audience is from the Caddy, Lincoln group who could be turned off to a car that offers more road feel and is a bit more sporty to drive. I wish they would at least offer an option for sport seats (firm and supportive) and a tighter steering and suspension. I could be wrong but if they price the LS similar to comparably equipped S Class and 7 series, I don't think that they'd be nearly as successful. And I don't think they will vary from their tried and true formula. It may be a bit early in the game for them to command the same premium in status and perceived image as BMW and MB. It's amazing that they've come as far as they have in such a short time.
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Replying to: topspin628 (Aug 13, 2006 5:28 pm) That is exactly correct, my friend. A major component of the Lexus LS success story is the price advantage over the competition. Add to that a vehicle with highest reliability ratings and it appeals to the rational side of the brain. Never mind that the competition may be more attractive or drive with quicker response, or have other desireable features, as these other attributes become overshadowed by the "value" of the LS. Lexus has some of the best marketing strategy on the planet. You are right to mention that they would be foolish to change course. Remember, however, that as their models evolve, so will the marketing. An example of this is the LS600hL which will receive a new and exciting marketing approach, not seen on the regular LS. Also, the IS model is getting legitimate kudos for performance, and the Lexus marketing group will be tuning into that more as time goes by. Masterful. And value is key. And, if you stop and think about it, it is a great thing, because where on this planet do you get genuine value all that often any more? TagMan
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