Sign Of The Times: Even Lexus Cancels Their Annual Dealer Meeting

Lexus has been on a roll for over a decade, but a 21% sales drop has prompted the automaker to cut back on superfluous spending. Lexus canceled its annual dealer meeting to concentrate on selling more luxury automobiles by boosting spending on additional marketing initiatives. The extra marketing capital will be needed, with Lexus launching two all-new vehicles and a refresh in 2009.
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Anthony - 1/19/2009 4:10:43 PM

+4 Boost

Lexus will make a ton of money off of the HS. The ES does quite well on a very similar, yet non-hybrid formula.

Anthony - 1/19/2009 4:47:58 PM

+3 Boost

The ES is the best-selling Lexus sedan in their line-up. People who would want an ES hybrid would most-likely be interested in this car. Both are based off of Camry platforms (essentially, since the Avensis is a Euro Camry). All the top luxury brands get their gigantic chunks of sales from one entry-level sedan. Lexus wants to have three. The IS for sporty, BMW 3-Series-type owners, the ES for Buick LaCrosse-type owners, and now the HS, for rich hybrid fanatics. AndI personally think the design of the HS is hideous but that never stopped Prius customers.

Ricks2Dogs - 1/19/2009 6:55:10 PM

0 Boost

Lexus is just doing what they have been quietly doing for the last 20 years...the right thing at the right time. They're obsessed with THE CUSTOMER and what they need or want, period. The loaner car is a good example. I'm not sure if they were the 1st to offer them, but either way they certainly perfected the whole process. Any Lexus owner would attest to this. Lexus just makes it quick and easy for THE CUSTOMER, who, most will admit, pays for this service one way or another. Which is why Toyota is there, again to satisfy THE CUSTOMER who may not want to pay extra for such a service. The above article is yet just another example of Lexus doing the right thing.