[ParisSF]

The long reign of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus atop the U.S. luxury car market is almost certain to come to an end this year, a victim of an aging lineup and production disruptions caused by the March 11 earthquake in Japan.

Shutdowns at Toyota plants in Japan, where all Lexus models except one, the RX 350 sport-utility, are made, threaten its already thin hopes of retaining its crown for the year, concedes Mark Templin, Lexus general manager in North America.

New vehicles damaged by the March 11 tsunami are placed in a Toyota Motor Corp. parking lot at Sendai port, Miyagi prefecture, northern Japan.

"It will be some time before we see where we stand," said Mr. Templin. As of early April, he said: "We are right on our sales goals; we are right on our budget."

In the first three months of the year, Lexus's U.S. sales declined 4.4%, even though overall auto sales rose. Among luxury brands, Lexus slipped to No. 3 for the quarter, behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Lexus Falls Behind Rivals

[SuperDan]

=( It'd be kinda ignorant if the Germans make those ads about this, cause it's really only cause of the earthquake that this is happening

[DASHOCKER]

It has nothing to do with production. There are tons of lexus cars @ dealerships. The inventory of black, beige and grey interior cars are available to the masses. It has much to do with the line up of cars which is stale. If I want a red interior with black wood on my Lexus, that is wishful thinking..

[kyleJB328]

And the 'Kyle Dailey' from Boston is Me! I saw on edmunds twitter page that they wanted interviews.

[KGB7]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

It has nothing to do with production. There are tons of lexus cars @ dealerships. The inventory of black, beige and grey interior cars are available to the masses. It has much to do with the line up of cars which is stale. If I want a red interior with black wood on my Lexus, that is wishful thinking..

+1.

They dont have a sports car/coupe for the average joe like M3.

[Imperator]

The Lexota badge carries no prestige so it's difficult for me to sympathize let alone understand how "Lexus" belongs in the same discussion as the established European marques.

To me, "prestige" includes brand recognition, brand establishment and history, product segmentation, model exclusivity, styling and/or technology exclusivity, participation/recognition in concours and motorsports. No Asian marque has such history, brand establishment or portfolio range. To me, Lexota, Nisfiniti and HondAcura are associated with providing lower-cost alternatives to European luxury brands and are deeply rooted in their home-market from fuel misers and appliance-cars.

[TrueLove]

Originally Posted by Imperator

The Lexota badge carries no prestige so it's difficult for me to sympathize let alone understand how "Lexus" belongs in the same discussion as the established European marques.

To me, "prestige" includes brand recognition, brand establishment and history, product segmentation, model exclusivity, styling and/or technology exclusivity, participation/recognition in concours and motorsports. No Asian marque has such history, brand establishment or portfolio range. To me, Lexota, Nisfiniti and HondAcura are associated with providing lower-cost alternatives to European luxury brands and are deeply rooted in their home-market from fuel misers and appliance-cars.

I totally agree!!!

[M3_WC]

It is a combination of things, including Toyota's reputation that has been hammered in the media for the last six months.

Other Asian car companies are stepping their game up, including Hyundai. Who is providing better car value for the dollar.

I don't buy the inventory shortage argument yet. Like others have said in the thread, the dealers still have a huge pre-earthquake inventory on their lots. US car buyers buy directly from the lot, they do not order cars.

This decline in market share started before the earthquake.

[DASHOCKER]

Originally Posted by M3_WC

It is a combination of things, including Toyota's reputation that has been hammered in the media for the last six months.

Other Asian car companies are stepping their game up, including Hyundai. Who is providing better car value for the dollar.

I don't buy the inventory shortage argument yet. Like others have said in the thread, the dealers still have a huge pre-earthquake inventory on their lots. US car buyers buy directly from the lot, they do not order cars.

This decline in market share started before the earthquake.

Good post. There are some that believe that BMW buyers don't order their cars.

[HpDellNestle]

Originally Posted by Imperator

The Lexota badge carries no prestige so it's difficult for me to sympathize let alone understand how "Lexus" belongs in the same discussion as the established European marques.

To me, "prestige" includes brand recognition, brand establishment and history, product segmentation, model exclusivity, styling and/or technology exclusivity, participation/recognition in concours and motorsports. No Asian marque has such history, brand establishment or portfolio range. To me, Lexota, Nisfiniti and HondAcura are associated with providing lower-cost alternatives to European luxury brands and are deeply rooted in their home-market from fuel misers and appliance-cars.

Interesting but bogus. These "established European marques" had their tails trapped and beat to a pulp not so long ago by Asian brands in reliability, luxury, comfort, and value. All these "brand recognition, brand establishment and history, product segmentation, model exclusivity, styling and/or technology exclusivity, participation/recognition in concours and motorsports" are non-sense mumble jumble.