Lexus Delays LF-A & GS-F, ops to make more SUV's and Crossovers

http://www.egmcartech.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/lexus_lf_a_roadster_concept.jpg
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While the rest of the market moves away from the SUV segment, Lexus has been enjoying increasing sales of the RX crossover and its large GX and LX SUVs. While dealers are hoping that its passenger cars see an update, which are starting to look pretty outdated, redesigns for the brands sedans are still a couple of years away.
In the near feature, Lexus will debut a redesigned RX next year along with a decicated hybrid model to debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.
The Lexus IS sedan won’t see a redesign until 2012, however a coupe/convertible are expected to arrive in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The ES redesign will come in 2011 as a 2012 model and a hybrid model will carry the V6 from the RX400h. LS will get a redesign in 2013.

As for high-performance F versions - the Lexus GS-F which was supposed to carry on the torch from the Lexus IS-F has been put on hold until the economy improves. The GS lineup is expected to get redesign in 2011 which should give Lexus enough time to make a decision.
The production version of the Lexus LF-A has also been delayed. It was supposed to arrive this year but insiders say that the model isn’t hitting performance targets to be priced as a $160,000+ performance car. Not to mention launching a six-figure sports car at a time like this may be suicidal for Lexus. Sources say that Lexus will most likely wait until 2010 or early 2011.
Lexus is also planning a small-crossover - a Toyota RAV4 version for Lexus. The small-crossover will compete with the BMW X3 and GLK and will arrive as a 2013 model.

So the LF-A is delayed yet again
the GS-F pushed back

Making more SUVs?
and a Rav 4 for lexus



all i gotta say is wtf toyota giving lexus so much car models
give toyota a deluxury-ised IS
id sell my rolla in a heartbeat to get one :clap:

they need to just do it

in reality though... none of the cars mentioned are really needed (lf-a, gs-f, more gynormous suvs). haha.

Major boo!! Yeah the economy sucks! but unfortunately people's wallets talk. So if that's selling then why not jump on the bandwagon. I realize that the F series will net low profit margin but still. As much as I like the idea of the LF-A I find it odd that Toyota will invest in a 200,000 dollar super car that will net them very little money (profit) yet won't make a more mainstream sports car for the Toyota line up which will net them a small profit margin but probably not as small as the LF-A. Just what we need, more "crossovers" which are just downsized SUVs. I'm sure a RAV4 sized Lexus would sell pretty well. I wonder if that's the Mark Zio (is that the name?) that we've seen pictures of in the U.S.?

lexus being the luxury brand will undoubtedly get all the fun stuff
while reserved old toyota gets the same old stuff XD

Toyota will make available what sells and makes money. A sporty car (coupe or sedan) will not sell as a Toyota, so it is not available.

A mid-size crossover vehicle (new RX) and a small crossover vehicle (RAV4 for Lexus) will sell, so they are being made available. The RX competes with the BMW X5 and X6, and the MB ML-Class. The small Lexus would compete with the BMW X3 and the new, small MB GLK-Class. The BMW X3 is why MB brought out the GLK-Class.

Are the Lexus sedans that out-of-date? They were introduced not that long ago. The GS came out in 2005, and just received its mid-cycle refreshening. The IS came out in 2006, the ES for 2007, about the same time as the LS. Are they obsolete in just 2 years? Or is it because this news came via a GM board?

I thought they were going to make a "Lexus" Prius? That's what would make $ now!

I thought they were going to make a "Lexus" Prius? That's what would make $ now!


"along with a decicated hybrid model to debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show."

They are my friend. Taken from the article above. :thumbsup:

Wow that's a loooong cycle for the IS but then again, the IS had a long 1st gen anyway.

Ahh damn it... ES400h? People want an ES300h with the IS' 2.5 litre V6. The ES is powerful enough as is.

Toyota will make available what sells and makes money. A sporty car (coupe or sedan) will not sell as a Toyota, so it is not available.

Are the Lexus sedans that out-of-date? They were introduced not that long ago. The GS came out in 2005, and just received its mid-cycle refreshening. The IS came out in 2006, the ES for 2007, about the same time as the LS. Are they obsolete in just 2 years? Or is it because this news came via a GM board?

But a sporty car ( coupe or sedan) Will sell for toyota under Scion
the TC is proof of that
only thing wrong with TC is its a fad behicle and sales show its past its time
and need a redesign


and luxury models compete fiercely
quick life spans wouldnt be a surprise
as companys try to outdo each other.

surprised the IS wont get redesigned till 2012 thoe

I'm still waiting for the new Toyota Coupe/Subaru Coupe in 2010.

more SUVs?
thats a boneheaded move...although the RX redesign is overdue

more SUVs?
thats a boneheaded move...although the RX redesign is overdue

They will not be truck-based SUVs, but car-based "crossover" vehicles. Think station wagons with larger wheels and tires. Americans claim to hate station wagons, yet love them and will buy them AS LONG AS THEY ARE LABELLED DIFFERENTLY, as "crossover" vehicles, and sit on big, shiny wheels. (How superficial!)

And if Lexus does not have the appropriate model(s), they could lose sales to BMW (X3) and Mercedes-Benz (GLK-Class) and Audi (Q5) and Acura (RDX). (This list grew as I was typing, so Lexus is already late to the party. Have I missed any???)

I'm still waiting for the new Toyota Coupe/Subaru Coupe in 2010.

The Toyota version as it stands now is not destine outside of Japan. So we'll see the Subie version maybe.:thumbsdow

So might as well go with the Hyundai Genesis Coupe:thumbsup:

They will not be truck-based SUVs, but car-based "crossover" vehicles. Think station wagons with larger wheels and tires. Americans claim to hate station wagons, yet love them and will buy them AS LONG AS THEY ARE LABELLED DIFFERENTLY, as "crossover" vehicles, and sit on big, shiny wheels. (How superficial!)

And if Lexus does not have the appropriate model(s), they could lose sales to BMW (X3) and Mercedes-Benz (GLK-Class) and Audi (Q5) and Acura (RDX). (This list grew as I was typing, so Lexus is already late to the party. Have I missed any???)
Infiniti EX?

"along with a decicated hybrid model to debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show."

They are my friend. Taken from the article above. :thumbsup:

My bad... haha... what I get for skiming the article.. but I still think Hybrids not SUVS at this point is a better bet for ANY car manufacturer.

Everything should be a Hybrid for "toyota/lexus"

IS250h
IS350h
GS250h
GS450h
ES250h
Lexus "Prius".

^^^^Awhile ago Toyota said they eventually want a hybrid version of their gas equivalent car in the market. So for every gas model their will be a hybrid and maybe some more plug ins. We'll see but it seems its headed that way. Fine by me. Less dependent on the middle east.

There's also a rumor mill going on that Nissan plans to revive a 240SX/Silvia RWD to challenge Toyota/Subaru's RWD at the same price market.... Debut is 2010 also. Since I dislike Subaru and especially if the current renderings of the subaru platform thats slated for US release only, i'll be putting the dough on Nissan instead if this is a true statement.

^^^Yeah I heard that too. Should be interesting what they come up with.