Lexus Abandons Supercar Market Instantly Making LFA A One Shot Wonder Rather Than Legend

Lexus Abandons Supercar Market Instantly Making LFA A One Shot Wonder Rather Than Legend
 With the end of the production run of Lexus’ LFA sports coupe on Dec. 14, it loses its halo car that had been highly successful for the two years that was in production. The 552-hp V-10 sports coupe, which has a price tag of $375,000, was designed to be the best expression of Lexus quality and performance. It was so coveted that even before production started in December 2010, its limited run of 500 hand-built units had already sold out. The timing of its departure is unfortunate since Lexus is currently struggling to get itself reinvented as an emotional and exciting brand.

Lexus executives agree that they require a new halo. When interviewed on Dec. 17, Lexus Executive Vice President Kazuo Ohara said that for its plan to become a “more emotional brand,” it should have a halo car.

But he clarifies that consumers shouldn’t expect another rarefied supercar with the extremely high price.




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Agent009Agent009 - 12/28/2012 3:33:21 PM
-7 Boost
Guess the bean counters are still alive at Lexus. Some people will never learn.


M35MTM35MT - 12/31/2012 1:06:33 PM
+2 Boost
Yes, you will never learn.

The only reason why Lexus had the resources to build this car was because of the bean counters who knew the market in the US well enough to bring the brand to #1 in sales, thus providing the cash necessary to build this hyper car, which the company lost money on even with the high price tag.

An exercise in engineering that was a success and a foundation for future projects, whatever they may be.


HughJassHughJass - 12/28/2012 5:16:52 PM
+9 Boost
The LFA production stopped. How is that abandoning the supercar market? Toyota did exactly what they said they'd do, make x-number of kickass cars.

The LFA resale value just went up, assuming anyone is willing to let theirs go.

Don't worry, Hyundai will have a $199.99 version out soon, the LFK with a couple of free Galaxy tabs as incentives.

Ford must have abandoned the market too when the limited run of GTs ran out.


PUGPROUDPUGPROUD - 12/28/2012 5:53:19 PM
-3 Boost
It takes a continuing committment with one model immediately succeeding the last to build a strong brand recognition as a super super car manufacturer...think Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo...think not Acura, Toyota, Ford. Get it !


quizzquizz - 12/28/2012 6:16:48 PM
-3 Boost
The design did not match the price tag - they should have hired an Italian design firm.


HughJassHughJass - 12/28/2012 7:36:31 PM
+6 Boost
Ken Okuyama. That's funny.


LexSucksLexSucks - 12/29/2012 3:57:16 PM
-4 Boost
That's all they got? What a joke. What about a follow up? You know one that doesn't get its ass handed to it.


LexSucksLexSucks - 1/2/2013 1:52:10 PM
-1 Boost
Having you car exposed as a overpriced also ran has to be upsetting?

2013 Car and Driver’s Annual Lightning Lap Competition:

Full List by Times
Ferrari 458 - 2.49.9
Lexus LFA - 2.55.1
Chevy Camaro ZL1 - 2.57.5


The Mighty LF-A gots it's butt kicked by over 5 seconds. LOL!!!! How's that for lack of car knowledge?


skytopskytop - 12/29/2012 8:05:38 PM
-3 Boost
Lexus does not have a fire in their stomach. They will be surpassed in a few years by the Korean car makers.


LexusLexus - 12/31/2012 7:35:15 PM
+1 Boost
@skytop,

didn't read articles about Hyudai recall? And what about them being sue for lying to customers about fuel mileage?

Here are the many links of recent Recall from Hyundai to refresh your memory:

http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/veloster/2012/2012-hyundai-veloster-probed-by-feds-for-shattering-sunroofs.html

http://www.insideline.com/hyundai/veloster/2012/2012-hyundai-veloster-recalled-for-parking-brake-problem.html

http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/30/autos/hyundai-airbag-recall/index.html

http://news.consumerreports.org/safety/2012/07/hyundai-recalls-2007-09-santa-fe-and-2012-13-sonata-due-to-problems-with-air-bags.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/hyundai-recall-of-225-500-santa-fe-and-sonata-sedans-over-airbags

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/05/act-surprised-hyundai-kia-sued-over-inflated-fuel-mileage-rati/



lexworldlexworld - 12/30/2012 2:30:13 AM
+3 Boost
-skytop, after making that statement your new name should be "CopperTop". Hyundai will never past Toyota Motor Corp in sales or refinement. "If you dare hold your breath, you will die waiting".


LexusLexus - 12/31/2012 7:38:46 PM
+1 Boost
At lexworld,

actually I think Hyundai can beat Toyota in sales if they were to offer buy one Kia or Hyundai and get 2 more for FREE Promotion than maybe they can beat Toyota in sales.

Other than that I don't see it happening any time soon especially with are the recent recall that I listed above and they got caught and being sued for inflating their mileages numbers.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 1/1/2013 7:02:57 AM
-1 Boost
Post some links to recent toyota recalls; I bet that would be such a HUGE list it would threaten the server's capacity...


skytopskytop - 1/3/2013 6:22:18 PM
0 Boost
Oohhh...looks like my statement struck a nerve. In 5 years, kindly remember who stated the Koreans will surpass Lexless.


tattedtwicetattedtwice - 1/1/2013 7:00:33 AM
0 Boost
No fire, indeed. Now they're happy to get back to the only thing they know, making boring cars that look like an uglier version of a toyota, but with the hideous grille tacked on.

Not that I was ever the least impressed by the lfa, which seemed to stand for laugh your fkn ass off (at its looks and/or price). Ridiculous looks, ridiculous price, clobbered by sports cars costing a fraction....maybe thats why toyota threw in the towel; they mustve known they wouldnt find more 500 rich people STUPID enough to buy one.


poot66poot66 - 1/7/2013 9:44:42 PM
+1 Boost
I think its pretty smart and I am pretty impressed that Lexus is willing to admit where they need to make improvement, especially considering the fact that the people that own them and are diehard fans won't. Their last generation of vehicles exteriors were incredibly dull, in my opinion the only one that was kind of striking was the IS sedan. Ironically they are starting to do what I've noticed Infiniti has been doing for the past decade, focusing more on everyday road cars first and making them exciting. And as much as I love my Infiniti and the company in general, a sporty and excitement conscious Lexus sounds like their worst nightmare.
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