New Is Deals

[alpine]

Assuming they didn't foresee this dramatic slowdown in sales and given a 12 week delivery time from the factory in Japan it's easy to see how they could still have a large stockpile of unsold cars. I think the introduction of the IS facelift probably made the situation worse than for other models.

Lexus did expect the downturn. My dealer, who beat their targets last year, told me in October that their targets this year were going to be set lower than 2008.

[Parthiban]

Given the current state of the base rate, what sort of finance rates are they offering at the moment?

Extortionate I'd guess. Have a look at some of the dealers websites.

Just got my answer as I got an email telling me I could get a new RX400h at 2.9% APR - if my maths are right that's a flat rate of under 1% which is very impressive........wonder if they'd do that on an IS or GS.........or is it just because they're trying to get rid of all the remaining RXs before the new one comes out........

[Roger Bill]

Alpine: By October 2008 Lexus had already seen dramatic falls in their sales for at least 5 months: 45% in October, 44% in September, 59% in August, 39% in July and 31% in June 2008 Figures obtained from http://www.am-online.com/NewCarSalesFigures/index.asp

[dazz32]

Dave1, thanks very much for that very useful information re date of manufacture.

I wonder why the Lexus Hatfield web site http://www.lexus.co.uk/hatfield doesn't make any mention of these cars and whether, therefore, other dealers have similar stocks.

According to http://www.am-online.com/NewCarSalesFigures/ Lexus UK sold 434 in Jan 2009 vs 914 in Jan 2008, 406 in Dec 2008 vs 817 in Dec 2007, 378 in Nov 2008 vs 901 in Nov 2007 and so on. Assuming they didn't foresee this dramatic slowdown in sales and given a 12 week delivery time from the factory in Japan it's easy to see how they could still have a large stockpile of unsold cars. I think the introduction of the IS facelift probably made the situation worse than for other models.

I believe they offered the pick of the cars to me first because i had a letter through the door and im also an exsisting customer as its my nearest dealership for serviceing etc....

[Northern Boys Luv Gravy]

Just been browsing PH and found this:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/897359.htm

It's quite a large discount by both value and percentage - it makes me think that Lexus are in more trouble than other car manufacturers at the moment.

Shame banks aren't lending money or I'd have had it away (or a 250 Auto variant I should say :))

I asked about these cars when I called into Lexus Newcastle this morning - apparently they are all sold already. Some dealerships may be struggling but apparently Newcastle is doing ok and hasn't been much affected by the downturn.

[Maybul]

Just been browsing PH and found this:

http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/897359.htm

It's quite a large discount by both value and percentage - it makes me think that Lexus are in more trouble than other car manufacturers at the moment.

Shame banks aren't lending money or I'd have had it away (or a 250 Auto variant I should say :))

I asked about these cars when I called into Lexus Newcastle this morning - apparently they are all sold already. Some dealerships may be struggling but apparently Newcastle is doing ok and hasn't been much affected by the downturn.

I was in tunbridge wells earlier this week and they informed they were practicall running out of stock...sales pitch?

[Parthiban]

Might not be, with interest rates as low as they are buy a new car can make a lot of sense (have to say I'm tempted too)

[chandru]

even tho BOE interest rates are low, if you with LFS, they wont necessarily follow anything close to that rate...they mite now to get the business..depends on dealership i guess.