Politically Incorrect? Lexus Says It Won't Build Cars In China Because It Doesn't Want To Lose Customers

Interesting comment... You better be right when everyone else is doing differently :)

“Customers would leave us if we have any problems with quality because that is what they are seeking in a Lexus,"

Well, this is correct, that is what the customers wanted, "quality". But it was Lexus that betrayed many customers with sudden unintended acceleration problems, which is really disappointing to say the least.

I highly doubt made in China Lexus and Lexus made in Japan are that different in the end.

Well, it is unfortunate that "Made in China" is associated with cheap quality. But it is a reality. Not to mention that many high-end brands are ripped off from fakes originating from China.

Regarding Lexus' perceived quality issues, I dont' believe that Lexus, specifically, was involved in unintended acceleration. It was only Toyota models, from what I know. Yes, parent company, but still different products.

Ouch, Lexus is taking shots at China, why not just have a PR person say, "All of our production needs are currently being met".

And the Lexus ES model which is closely aligned with the Camry was involved in several, one killing an off duty officer and his family member

cid, you really should read more articles if you want to talk about this stuff, because frankly, you are not really well informed on this issue.

Lexus ES and IS were recalled for that incident, and there were reports of RX having this problem (And yes, there were deaths) but I don't exactly remember the RX vehicles being recalled.

Lexus has issues, and people have the right to not drive dangerous cars.

The car that killed the officer and his family was a loaner from a california Lexus dealer. All weather mats were laid on top of the carpeted mats and were found melted to the gas pedal.....

JDMM, you act like I insulted your intelligence. I already stated "I believe" and "from what I know", already providing for a margin of error on my part. sorry I don't have time to research negative articles to use as ammunition against any product I dislike and act like an a$$ on the internet.

And you seem to take my kindly advice as something negative. I don't really think you have any right to act like a smartipants after admitting the fact that you have made the mistake. I did not try to judge you, I was only telling you to read more articles if you actually want to talk about something. Don't you think it is strange if no Lexus vehicles were affected?

But then again, weren't you the one who said Chrysler can keep making unreliable and unsafe cars just because they never had the history of making reliable and safe cars?

"Kindly advice"? Ok, you got a way with words...as always.

And no, I can't remember the last time I commented on a Chrysler car, outside of the new 200. And I only commented on its design and maybe its expected performance.

You didn't forget when the LS 400 made it's debut, it looked quite similar to the S420 & 320(w140), from the yellow foglights, to the gray body side cladding..now that was a knockoff.

The author of this thread does not understand what 'politically incorrect' means.

The picture of ES looks like a LS. Wonder if spindle grill across the lineup was a good move. As for China, they can not get enough Audi's, BMW's and MB's.

Lexus and Toyota should actually be spending more time worrying about the customers that they are currently losing because of their current customer base. I do not know a single car enthusiast that has any interest in any Lexus or Toyota. Any alert driver that spends 15 minutes on a freeway in Southern California will notice that Lexus and Toyota drivers clog the #1 lane by going below the speed of traffic, clog the carpool lane, leave waaaayyyyy too much room between themselves and other cars yet still manage to cock block anybody who needs to be someplace or desires to travel with the flow of traffic. Then exit the freeway and enter a parking lot and you will see primarily Lexus vehicles that the drivers seem unable to fit between the lines of a parking space. You will then notice that it is virtually guaranteed that any accident that has occurred involves a Toyota or Lexus...so even if they did not cause the accident, they are mysteriously involved. They are most likely involved in accidents because their absurd and rude driving habits caused the other driver to have to make an unsafe maneuver in order to either maintain his or her sanity or get where they need to be on time. I dismiss the "Lexus and Toyota market share" argument as to why there is such a predominance of these Toyexus situations. If Toyexus has 90% market share in Socal (rediculous percentage I know), I still do not see 10% of any other single brand displaying the same driving ignorance. Go ahead and blast my post...then ask any car enthusiast you know and they will tell you that they would buy a Lincoln first. THIS is what Toyexus should be worried about. Denial of this obvious phenomenon probably means you drive one, work for the company, or are simply not an alert driver. Rip away..then open your eyes next time you are on the freeway.

I find your post hilarious. I think you have successfully invented a type of car brand racism ;) Just pulling your leg. I think it all depends on where you live. Here in Colorado, I have the same beliefs regarding Subaru drivers. Constantly riding on the freeway dividing lines, yapping on the cell, parking at odd angles, driving well above the speed limit on frozen days b/c they have AWD and think they are invincible... it's scary people.

I don't care where a car is made as long as it's well made. Reputation takes time to build and China hasn't proven itself in car manufacturing but that's not to write them off completely. If QA is done properly quality products can still be made. Apple, HP, Lenovo, Sony all have high quality products built in China. It's the smaller companies that take short cuts and not applying proper QA methodologies that are giving Chinese made products a bad name.
But like I said it will take time for China to prove themselves but for Lexus to come out with a statement like that it's quite stupid. As if there isn't enough historical hatred toward the Japanese in China already.

This has little to do with the car and much more to do with politics. China and Japan are not on very good terms right now if you've paid attention. I think the last thing you'd want to do is to go pouring in millions or billions into a country that may confiscate it if things between them get worse.