Toyota to launch Lexus brand in India

World’ second largest car company Toyota Motor Corporation is set to join the elite club of car makers by launching the Lexus brand in India — the highest selling global marquee brand. Lexus will be pitted against luxury brands BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Volvo and Audi which are already present in India.

Keeping an eye on the rapidly-growing demand for luxury vehicles in India and the exciting line-up of products from European, American and fellow Japanese carmakers, Toyota is planning to introduce LS 460 sedan and LX 470 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in India in the next two years. It also has plans to launch another SUV, the RX 330, in the domestic market.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) deputy managing director K K Swamy refused to comment on the debut of Lexus in India. “As a matter of policy, we do not comment on future launches. However, sources in the automobile industry said the company plans to maintain the distinct identity of the Lexus in India as in the other developed markets of North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

It has started the preliminary groundwork in terms of strategy and dedicated dealership network which will be different from the network that sells Toyota’s existing cars like the Innova, Corolla and Camry. These dealers will also sell Toyota’s small car which is expected to hit the domestic market by 2010.

Sources added that TKM will rope in select dealers for the Lexus range under a new marketing strategy. “It is likely to have exclusive dealers for Lexus, concentrated mostly in metros and major cities. Even the existing TKM dealers shortlisted for the Lexus will operate from a separate exclusive entity to maintain its niche brand value.

StickShiftCamry - 3/27/2008 12:10:27 AM

+4 Boost

Yea who cares, in Mumbai they already import them any way, every corner theres a Lex, BM, Benz, and esp. Audi these days. Lex has been there already, nothin new, nothing to see here.

EL34 - 3/27/2008 12:19:21 AM

+2 Boost

What world needs is a Lexus to compete with Tata :-/

ChicaneShooter - 3/27/2008 5:29:44 AM

-3 Boost

all the 4-Banger euro 'lux' brands already do.

Lexus has NO reason to play in that sandbox.

if toyota is interested at all, it'll send the Yaris and Scions to do battle there. where it'll likely be slaying A and B segments euro "luxury" models too. LOL!

Htay7500 - 3/27/2008 10:00:01 AM

+1 Boost

if you try to drive a 4cyl camry at 60-80 mph, it will hesitate and will roughen up. CR reported that yaris was one of the 11 worst cars on the market.

http://www.motorauthority.com/news/trends/consumer-reports-11-worst-cars-of-2008/

Htay7500 - 3/27/2008 10:20:56 AM

0 Boost

"all the 4-Banger euro 'lux' brands already do."

thats because they've been making them for a long time.

"Lexus has NO reason to play in that sandbox."

another reason that they're struggling in Europe. the US is a very image-concious market so the germans don't sell them here. in other places (i.e. asia) where cars are taxed based on displacement, MB sells a v6 version of their s-class and they have the image just to do that. if you refer to the article "Winning foursomes: A look at four cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz" you can see that their 4-cyl engines aren't just the ones found in an ordinary car. you need to get out more...

1970toyotamarc - 3/27/2008 5:18:40 PM

+2 Boost

Htay, CR did not call the Yaris one of the worst on the market. That story completely warped CR's results to its own ends. CR in fact gives a high rating to the Yaris in many areas.

ChicaneShooter - 3/28/2008 7:40:48 AM

+2 Boost

htay: "the US is a very image-concious market so the germans don't sell them here. "


yet they are about to sell the Smart car here? MB has no shame! now they will be offering THREE-cylinder cars! LOL!

and even worse, these are not even fuel efficient. ESPECIALLY for the size.

4-cyl and physically larger Yarises get more mpg.

Htay7500 - 3/28/2008 10:27:12 AM

+1 Boost

"yet they are about to sell the Smart car here? MB has no shame! now they will be offering THREE-cylinder cars! LOL!"

they don't sell them under the MB badge, because smart owns them. plus other automakers are following similar initiatives because of the price of oil.

ChicaneShooter - 3/27/2008 5:32:45 AM

-1 Boost

on average. you could almost say the same for russia.

that does NOT negate the fact there are thousands of RICH indians, and MILLIONS in the fast growing middle class.

Homer008 - 3/27/2008 10:01:45 AM

+2 Boost

Obviously still developing much like many other 3rd world countries but only difference is that India has one of the highest numbers of billionairs in the world..not sure how this would help my beloved Lexus sell cars over there..but the fact is that it is growing and perhaps the word prosperty in the near future isn't so far away...

Czelinski - 3/27/2008 4:28:20 AM

+2 Boost

Yeah, developing. So, in a way Lexus is good. Value luxury car.

JUGNU - 3/27/2008 6:09:01 AM

0 Boost

Now this is what i always talked about. Lexus entering India and neighbouring countries.

Lexus is not still officially sold in those huge and still developing markets. Once Toyota start selling Lexus there officially, u'll definately see a huge rise in Lexus sales.

btw still LX470 badged in those coutries as Toyota Land Cruiser Cygnus II is a massively popular truck. Nearly all rich have imported one. I have been to India and neighbouring countries and spotted many, more than any other luxury car.

No doubt every day from Dubai, tons of Land Cruisers and LX470s are exported to these asian countries. both new and used/re-conditioned. Especially Oman's Toyota/Lexus dealers Saud Bahwan Toyota export the most.

good luck Lexus/Toyota. Great step.

JUGNU

ChicaneShooter - 3/28/2008 7:53:01 AM

+2 Boost

chevy/gmc suburbans have been called "Texas Cadillacs."

it seems Lexus LXs and Toyota Land Cruisers have gained a similar cachet and prestige in many 3rd world countries. they ARE big! and will go ANYWHERE.

from news stories, it seems the LC is the vehicle of choice among the rich and powerful in the Third World. having a trail aleady blazed by toyota, i'd predict Lexus dealers there will do very well!

the LX470 is a more prestigious Land Cruiser. and the RX series will be a lower cost alternative.

LexSucks - 3/27/2008 10:24:36 AM

-2 Boost

It's going to be difficult for Lexus to sell cars outside of the United States. America is the most car-dumb nation on the planet. That's why Lexus is successful in the U.S. Americans fall for advertising and base their car buying decisions accordingly. Oh yeah.. And Consumer Reports. LOL!!

ChicaneShooter - 3/28/2008 8:12:10 AM

+2 Boost

LexSucks is the most math-dumb poster here.

you simplify things to "average" impressions, totally ignorant of bell curve TAILS and OUTLIERS. there are many brilliant american geniuses. but there are ALSO many spectacularly stupid americans too! averaging things out.

India being "poor" on AVERAGE doesn't mean there does not exist, thousands of VERY RICH Indians. ditto Russia, where there is reportedly more millionaires per capita in Moscow than in any western city.

AND, in america it is the people in the TOP 1/3 in intelligence buying all those Lexi and other imports. counterbalanced by those in the lowest 1/3 who tend to buy domestic.

LexSucks - 3/28/2008 1:03:01 PM

-1 Boost

Your point? The average citizen is what we are talking about here. Why do you keep bringing up rich people when they do not represent the majority?

ChicaneShooter - 3/29/2008 12:13:59 PM

+2 Boost

people of ABOVE AVERAGE intelligence do not represent the majority either.

SMART people who buy Lexi and other imports do not represent the majority either.

but there are ENOUGH of both to make Lexus the #1 luxury car here.

what people of AVERAGE intelligence choose, therefore has NO RELATIONSHIP to Lexus' spectacular success.

1970toyotamarc - 3/27/2008 10:46:30 AM

+3 Boost

Typical anti-Lexus trolls out today I see. Fear leads to hatred. Hatred leads to the dark side.

LexSucks - 3/27/2008 3:20:57 PM

-3 Boost

What is there to fear about Lexus?

1970toyotamarc - 3/27/2008 5:19:41 PM

+2 Boost

I dont know, you'd think this palce was poulated with Addi/BMW/Benz shareholders.

StickShiftCamry - 3/27/2008 2:05:02 PM

+2 Boost

India and Bangladesh, you can say they are poor countries because of statistics but thats it, statistics. - The first current Gen. M5 I saw was in Bangladesh, and on every other corner an X5 4.8 (don't know y, but very popular) or Cayenne and thousands of Lexus, so...

LexSucks - 3/27/2008 3:20:21 PM

-1 Boost

Break it down to the average wage per citizen and you will see that India an Bangladesh are super poor countries for the individual. I see X5's and MB's in third-world countries all the time. That doesn't mean that those countries aren't poor.

ChicaneShooter - 3/29/2008 12:18:56 PM

+2 Boost

poor people obviously are NOT AMONGST the car buying public.

so what's YOUR point?

LexSucks - 3/30/2008 5:37:36 PM

+1 Boost

What's your point?

Other than trying to attack me?

ChicaneShooter - 3/31/2008 3:24:06 AM

+1 Boost

i ONLY attack stupid statements.

(and only INdirectly, the people who make them.)

ChicaneShooter - 3/28/2008 7:59:53 AM

+2 Boost

suzuki specializes in SMALL economical cars.

i wonder if the japanese Kei cars are sold there? those would sell like hotcakes where price and fuel efficiency are large factors.

lexusrox123 - 3/29/2008 4:12:04 PM

+1 Boost

thank you chicane for your true words. and yes, Lexsucks is just a retarded little kid

ChicaneShooter - 3/29/2008 5:42:33 PM

0 Boost

you're welcome. i thrive on dispelling IGNORANCE.

LexSucks - 3/30/2008 5:33:49 PM

+1 Boost

Chicane shooter,

You've haven't disproved anything. In fact, the only thing that you've proven is that you and Lexusrox123 are two Lexus-Loving Americans. America is the only place on the planet where you will find Lexus Fanboys. LOL!

ChicaneShooter - 3/31/2008 3:27:37 AM

+1 Boost

i don't attempt to prove or disprove anything.

i just POINT OUT that by the logic and sensibility of their statements, some people display and PROVE THEIR OWN IGNORANCE.