Lexus Peddles It's Wares To UK Police Departments

Lexus Peddles It's Wares To UK Police Departments
Lexus is renowned for delivering the highest levels of customer satisfaction, not only for everyday motorists but increasingly for the nation’s police forces too. This week it will be attending the National Police Fleet Managers Association Conference for the sixth successive year, demonstrating the qualities that make Lexus models ideal for police work.

Lexus has the largest range of hybrid power vehicles on the market and will be displaying both the RX 400h SUV and GS 450h sports saloon, together with the new LS 600h flagship limousine and the petrol and diesel powered IS saloons. Some forces have already added Lexus hybrid vehicles to their fleets and have expressed particular satisfaction with their reliability.

Stephen Botham, Fleet and Services Manager at Wiltshire Police said: “We have been impressed by the performance of Lexus hybrids and have deployed them in a variety of operational roles.”

Andy Simpson, said, “Sales to police forces continue to increase and more are now talking to us about our product range. Hybrid technology is undoubtedly a key factor in this interest as they also hear comments about the performance and reliability from other forces that already use this technology.”


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w209w114w209w114 - 8/14/2007 1:20:22 PM
+9 Boost
HOUSTONALLCAPSNOTCUTIE

Translated in your own language for your convenience...

QUITE INTERESTING HOW YOU AND OTHER LEXUS FANS PRAISE LEXUS WHEN THEY ARE BEING BOUGHT NOW FOR FLEETS (PROB BECAUSE OF GOOD INCENTIVES TO BOOST SLOW SALES) BUT AT THE SAME TIME BASH MERCEDES BY CALLING THEM EURO-TAXIS. JUST A THOUGHT OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE. THESE PEOPLE ARE HYPOCRITES.


BillBill - 8/14/2007 1:26:22 PM
+3 Boost
Agreed, W209.

When a European car manufacturer sources out cars to taxi, fleet or police units, it's seen as a negative thing by the Lexus fanboys. When Lexus does it, it's "ok" and good for their image. Oh the irony...


HyundaiHyundai - 8/14/2007 1:32:58 PM
+2 Boost
So then, instead of stating the obvious, what is your opinion on this matter?


BillBill - 8/14/2007 1:46:53 PM
+2 Boost
What's my opinion of the subject matter?

I couldn't care less. I've been to Europe. I've seen BMW and Mercedes taxi and police cars in cheap trim level and it has not changed my perception of these brands for the worst. The same with Lexus.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 3:40:20 PM
+5 Boost
houstoncutie2000- Let me set the record straight for you in first 6 months for Europe:

Estimated Europe registrations by make:
Lexus
2007 21,248 unit vs 22,015 in 2006 or -3.5% for the year

BMW Division
2007 352,480 units vs 358,877 in 2006 or -1.8% for the year

Mercedes Division
2007 374,341 units vs 380,120 in 2006 or- 1.5% for the year

Audi
2007 353,227 unit vs 335,110 in 2006 or +5.4% for the year

So I really fail to see the love you are forecasting.




david989david989 - 8/14/2007 4:16:42 PM
-9 Boost
What Houston is trying to say is that Lexus will eventually own the European market through the sheer quality and performance of their cars. One day Europeans will wake up and see that a Lexus is the best deal ever.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 4:33:29 PM
+4 Boost
They might indeed (they rock in the good old USA). But first thing on the agenda should be maybe a sales increase over last year?

I find it is far easier to learn to crawl before running flat out.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 8/14/2007 8:20:14 PM
-1 Boost
Politicians in the United Kingdom (such as David Cameron, leader of the Conservative Party) have endorsed Lexus by using low-emission Lexus GS 450h vehicles in place of British-built Jaguars or Land Rovers.
Various UK government agencies also use the GS 450h and RX 400h .... < -- what does this have to do with Mercedes, BMW or Audi ? you are comparing stats and figures with the likes of Jaguar and Land rover .... that is almost interesting. What is lexus global sales figure at ? I am thinking they are at about 200k cars for 2007. psst news flash BMW is over 800k cars ... Also, if I sell only a measly 10000 cars one year and sell 20000 next year that equals 100% increase.


" In the premium market, the spotlight was on Toyota's upmarket brand Lexus. In the 15 European Union countries, Lexus sales rose 72% in 2006 to 36,662 cars, and across the continent sales were up to 50,570. Lexus' market share in Western Europe hit 0.3%, up from 0.1% in 2005. " so since lexus sells 50k cars in europe they are going to take over the lead from BMW and Audi, in what 50 years? yep you are right, Germans are about to lose control .... what was i thinking


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 9:43:21 PM
+3 Boost
houstoncutie2000- You are reading 2006 stats. So if you want to live in the past go ahead.

Mine were CURRENT 2007 sales for the year as reported. The LS might bring them positive for the year, but frankly it won't make then rise tremendously. They need more relevant models for that market.

We still have 6 months to see.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 9:46:57 PM
+2 Boost
houstoncutie2000- I forgot. for some reason you want to toss Smart in Mercedes sales. I compared apples to apples only. So sorry the slant failed to work.

Oh and BTW about "In Ireland, cabinet members (including Dick Roche, Minister for the Environment) have switched to Lexus GS 450h models."

Great! and how many does the pope have? ZERO? He has a slew of BMW, Mercedes and an Audi or two.

No sense in pumping up figures that aren't relevant.




enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/14/2007 9:54:16 PM
+2 Boost
houston:

growth rates are useless without looking at the base sales numbers.

lexus in europe is a tiny player. on a continent with double the population of the US, lexus only managed to sell 10% the volume of cars it sells in the US. and don't think about using the 'lexus just launched in europe' ruse. lexus launched in 1990 in europe.

please tell me why 21,000 units is impressive when german luxury brands hit the following sales over the same time period:

Estimated Europe registrations by make:
Lexus
2007 21,248 unit vs 22,015 in 2006 or -3.5% for the year

BMW Division
2007 352,480 units vs 358,877 in 2006 or -1.8% for the year

Mercedes Division
2007 374,341 units vs 380,120 in 2006 or- 1.5% for the year

Audi
2007 353,227 unit vs 335,110 in 2006 or +5.4% for the year


mitchatlexusofmarinmitchatlexusofmarin - 8/15/2007 2:36:14 PM
+4 Boost
I find the title to this post offensive 009.


HyundaiHyundai - 8/15/2007 4:21:31 PM
+1 Boost
Excellent journalism, Double-O's!


Will_Will_ - 8/15/2007 5:11:44 PM
+2 Boost
I don't know what to say here, I just didn't want to be the only poster that hasn't replied to this comment.

Oh, Agent009, I should point out that the figures you used were headlined with the word "Estimated." Not that the actual figures for this year will differ much...


CzelinskiCzelinski - 8/14/2007 1:15:01 PM
-3 Boost
Well, the government have to be seen as responsible. Until better in terms of emissions come along, I suppose Lexus will have to do...


HyundaiHyundai - 8/14/2007 1:36:32 PM
-3 Boost
In other words, Europe has nothing to offer better than Lexus - ouch. I thought Europeans were so much smarter, which is why they don't choose Lexus! I guess if you boil it down to dollars and cents instead of flamboyant Euro-bias bigotry, the Lexus hybrids are the smart choice.


BillBill - 8/14/2007 1:50:55 PM
0 Boost
Mr. Hyundai,

That post is pretty ignorant, don't you think?

This article talks about the UK - the fastest growing market for Lexus in Europe. The English are known to use a lot of Japanese cars for their police fleets, when they're not cruising around in the usual Ford or Vauxhaul's. I am sure Rupert can clear us up on this.

Germany uses mainly German cars for their police fleets, the French use French cars and the Italians use Italian cars. It's only natural that this would be the trend. Local manufacturers offer their products to local services. Easy and simple.



HyundaiHyundai - 8/14/2007 1:54:24 PM
+2 Boost
You are right, Bill, I thought that Czelisnick's comment was very ignorant too!


BillBill - 8/14/2007 2:05:32 PM
+4 Boost
Yes it was. I agree.


HyundaiHyundai - 8/15/2007 1:17:20 PM
+1 Boost
I don't appreciate sarcasm..


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/14/2007 1:18:15 PM
-1 Boost
LOL. they must be desperate for sales in europe.

and how will the RX keep up with the BMWs, AMGs and porsches they're trying to catch?


BillBill - 8/14/2007 1:27:14 PM
+1 Boost
The more important question is, "How can it handle with them?" :-p


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 3:37:54 PM
0 Boost
See above for Lexus sales figures in Europe for the first 6 months.


KingerKinger - 8/15/2007 5:08:18 AM
-1 Boost
Cheap 3-litre diesel? What an ignorant and clueless statement.

The M57 3.0 litre diesel won the "2.5-3 L" category of the International Engine of the Year award for 1999 through 2002 and the updated twin-turbocharger version won that same award in 2005. It a highly advanced diesel engine, not "cheap" by any stretch of the imagination.

If you want a cheap diesel check out the the diesel offered in the IS220d here in europe. It's noisy, un-economical, has a sluggish power delivery, high emissions and gets terrible mpg for a 2.2 litre diesel.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:00:41 PM
+1 Boost
nicad:

good point about lexus not offering good diesels. toyota naively forced products designed for the american market on europe. not having a great diesel luxury sedan in their lineup is a huge strategic mistake as fully 2/3 of german luxury cars sold on the continent are diesels.




cdokecdoke - 8/14/2007 1:24:37 PM
+4 Boost
I believe that fleet sales are a generally bad decision for luxury makers. Of course, I speak from the perspective of the problems that Jaguar had with feet sales- i.e. it wreaked havoc on their resale value. I will say that Jaguar is more of a niche brand and so the number of people, relative to the prototypical luxury maker, who would consider such cars is smaller. One would also sacrifice some exclusivity.

I dont know it Lexus would een have these problems, as they seem rather popular, but nonetheless I would be vigilant for indicators of certain consequences.

Non related: Hey 009. Did you get that image of the M3 on your agent page from the internet, or is there a story behind it?

The only reason I ask is that the picture was taken about oh...15 minutes from my home. I am positive it was taken at BelMar, which wishes it was Cherry Creek. I will believe that when Neiman Marcus, Saks, Cartier and Tiffany's move there.


Will_Will_ - 8/14/2007 4:23:10 PM
+4 Boost
Lexus is more of a niche carmaker for the people of Europe. It's nice to say "niche" as an excuse for lack of sales. ;)

But really, if anything, I think the point that the first poster was getting at is incredibly valid, and that is that Europeans ARE "warming up" to Lexus. From a marketing perspective, it must be golden to see taxi/limousine/police fleets (Remember, MB has plenty too). Shove the '06 vs. '07 sales in my face all you want, but 20,000 Lexus in 2007 vs. ??? a decade ago?


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/14/2007 5:03:04 PM
+2 Boost
if europeans are 'warming up' to lexus, they're doing it incredibly slowly.

lexus launched in britain in 1990--just one year after launching in the US. but lexus was always primed to do well in the US because older americans LOVE soft, quiet, big luxury cars. not so in europe.


Will_Will_ - 8/15/2007 7:37:55 AM
+3 Boost
Yes. Lexus has not yet figured out that in order to conquer Europe, they need to dilute their brand and offer smaller and diesel engines. Right now, Lexus is stuck in the mode of upping their image.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:03:40 PM
+2 Boost
will:

what lexus has not learned is that consumer markets are not one-size-fits-all.

2/3 of german luxury cars sold in europe are diesels...powerful, efficient diesels mind you.

until lexus offers europeans what they are asking for sales will continue to disappoint.


Will_Will_ - 8/15/2007 5:08:14 PM
+1 Boost
Lexus is already aware of that. Hence the IS diesel. They've got to start somewhere. Lexus's main focus from the get-go was the North American market. They've only been in existence for less than 30 years.

And newsflash: sales are steadily increasing as Lexus opens up to new markets. Already Lexus is the #1 luxury import in Korea and Taiwan.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 6:41:21 PM
+1 Boost
that's great will.

so what are lexus total global sales vs. any of the german brands?


1970toyotamarc1970toyotamarc - 8/14/2007 4:25:10 PM
+1 Boost
...peddles it's wares....

First of all, the word is ITS, not IT'S!!!!!!
Second, all you guys talk about is that Lexus is all about marketing, and now your headline reduces them to carnival sideshow salesmen. It just brightens the day.


CzelinskiCzelinski - 8/14/2007 4:30:12 PM
+3 Boost
I live in the U.K. Vauxhall Astras are very common as Police vehicles as are infact Volvo V70s, in terms of vans and larger vehicles Ford Transits tend to be used. However, this varies from each county Police force depending on their budget and the lease they go for. But then there are undercover cars where each one generally neeeds to be different, and a variety of cars will be used for these tasks.


Agent009Agent009 - 8/14/2007 4:50:15 PM
+3 Boost
In your dreams!


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/14/2007 5:03:54 PM
0 Boost
pull over because of the uncontrollable laughter perhaps....


KingerKinger - 8/15/2007 7:25:13 AM
-1 Boost
Pull over? That thing is so hideous i'd emigrate!!


answeranswer - 8/14/2007 5:01:05 PM
+3 Boost
It's times like these where I realize how thankful I am that none of the usual autospies fanboys are in the automotive business.


johnctjohnct - 8/14/2007 10:13:47 PM
+1 Boost
This is fantastic news! The only car that will be able to catch up and pull over an IS-F is the soon to be announced IS-F Police Interceptor!


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:07:30 PM
+1 Boost
where in germany are you driving?

i lived there for a year. and in the major cities...munich, stuttgart, hamburg, berlin....you seen bid benzes, bmws and audis everywhere. interesting note: the germans have the badging taken off (especially if they drive a 500 or 600 as it's considered too flashy).



enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:18:51 PM
-2 Boost
the russian wealthy are largely tacky, flashy and vulgar in their taste (just look at them flashing their corrupt money all over the south of france, in new york and in los angeles). so what they're buying is largely irrelevant in terms of influence in the rest of the world.


Will_Will_ - 8/15/2007 5:13:30 PM
+1 Boost
The Russians are "tacky" because they buy Lexus, Americans have "no taste" for buying Lexus, Japanese are "blind patriots" for buying Lexus... Give it a rest.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 6:40:21 PM
+1 Boost
i was just commenting on the russian oligarchs. i've never seen people plaster so many tacky logos all over their bodies, cars and homes.


toolatetoracetoolatetorace - 8/15/2007 9:25:14 AM
0 Boost
looks like Toytie found another place to sell some fleet cars


david999david999 - 8/15/2007 9:32:57 AM
-1 Boost

Lexus is growing in Europe, but it takes time to get to the point it does in North America. Remember, in Europe they do not get the ES model, which sells very well in markets it is available.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:21:33 PM
+2 Boost
the ES is made-for-the-US model based on the camry. it's not suited for other markets. only the US is a big fan of large, soft, quiet and inexpensive luxury cars (cadillac through the 1980's and now lexus since the 1990s). just as cadillac never sold well abroad, neither will fat cars like the ES.


SixxFiveSixxFive - 8/15/2007 11:34:01 AM
+3 Boost
Nicad: your comment about the popularity of Lexus/ Lexus almost on every street corner in certain EU cities/ and a drive through Germany only seeing an "occasional" Benz/BMW/Audi other than A6 reveals that you must be confusing Lexus commercials as reality and while in Germany, your travels must have been through corn fields.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:16:07 PM
+2 Boost
again, pointless to quote growth rates on such a tiny base.

so far this year, mercedes, audi and bmw EACH sold over 350,000 cars in europe vs. lexus at 21,000.


if lexus grows 100% this year across europe, each of the germans will beat lexus' growth in volume terms if they simply gain 4% in volume.

don't try to distort harsh reality with statistics. you'll lose.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 6:49:35 PM
+2 Boost
yeah, europeans are lovin' lexus.
21,000 units sold on a continent of over 730,000,000 people.

would you say americans were lovin' lexus if they sold 8,600 cars here in 6 months? (that's the proportionate sales number for a US population of 300,000,000)


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 8:00:25 PM
+2 Boost
i'm saying lexus is not popular in europe.

to your other ridiculous comment...mercedes sells 250,000 cars in the US a year. and at much higher average sales prices than any of the other full-line luxury brands. i'd say that mercedes is pretty well-liked among wealthy americans.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 8:03:00 PM
+2 Boost
STOP YELLING.


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 12:12:13 PM
+2 Boost
mercedes "plagued by quality problems." hmmm....

according to jd powers, mercedes had 2.12 problems per car over three years vs. buick/lexus at 1.45 problems per cars over three years. (both above the industry average).

please explain how that extra .67 problem over the course of three years is a 'plague.'


ICONICON - 8/15/2007 2:35:38 PM
+2 Boost
"NOT TRYING TO LOOSE NOR WIN" - if that is the case houston then you have made your point ad nauseum. Enough already. Obviously you have some emotional attachment to driving this issue into the ground.

Lexus is riding the house of cards called their Hybrids that will implode with the emergence of even more higher mileage low emmission diesels.

Watch and observe...quietly


enthusiastx11enthusiastx11 - 8/15/2007 6:43:55 PM
+1 Boost
thanks houston.
information not phone numbers would be helpful.


S4cabriofoxoneS4cabriofoxone - 8/17/2007 9:43:41 PM
+1 Boost
Okay, I'm sick of you, cutie.

You said Mercedes has been "plagued by quality problems..." I say Lexus is plagued by image problems. My wife is your "average" luxury car consumer. She is un-biased. She has had a great experience with her two Lexus RXs, and I've tried to sell her on an LS460 to replace the RX330, because she wants a sedan. For some reason, she absolutely refuses to drive any Lexus. I have no idea why, but she would MUCH rather drive an Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz. It's strange to me, because I buy cars on their qualities and don't put much of the badge into the equation... but in terms of your average American, Lexus ain't up there. It's cliché, but it's real. It's there.


KingerKinger - 8/17/2007 9:18:16 AM
+1 Boost
They use Subaru Imprezza's as well. Which unlike the Crown Vic and the Charger can successfully make it around a corner...


XYZZXYZZ - 8/16/2007 2:06:23 AM
+1 Boost
...


no1listensanywayno1listensanyway - 8/16/2007 2:45:58 AM
+4 Boost
If i got pulled over by an RX i would ask the officer, what wrinkled up middle aged lady did he steal it from?
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