lexusyd

Interesting to look at all the different Lexus sites around the globe. Particulalry the IS250 sites.

Is the 'Move as one' campaign for the IS250 used outside of Australia?

The ad on TV is quite spectacular using a black IS250 model in a stadium. A man dives

down from the roof of the stadium (similar to a diver at swimming) and morphs into the

Lexus.

You can check out the ad at: http://www.lexus.com.au/models/default.asp?model=IS250

Interested to hear on difference in marketing depending on location. I guess a range of factors

are considered including:

Target demographics (although I suspect this would be similar in many regions)

Competition ( again geographic location would be significant in Oz there are more Asian makes (ie Japanese/Korean) are less expensive and offer greater value as oppossed to European counterparts

Pricing - how much are consumers willing to spend on a vehicle many factors here such as tariff/exchange rate/cost of transportation-export etc...

Do different regions operate autonomously in terms of marketing/branding or does Lexus Global HQ provide guidence and basic template if you like

Interested to hear any feedback on these questions.

Cheers

Just for info to all UK LOC members, sales numbers for month of December 2005 in Oz:

BMW 3 Series - 320 units

Lexus IS250 - 298 units :)

Quite a impressive figure considering the IS250 was launced in OZ in November.

I imagine that the difference between the 2 models will decrease once Jan figures are

published - wouldn't be surprised if the IS250 outsells the 3 series.

Does anyone have similar data for UK sales for Dec?

Cheers

Lexusyd

At the moment I think st Lucia Pearl is a slight favourite, but I will take a trip to the dealer an look at the (few) colours they have on their cars before deciding 100%.

The link to all the 10 colours was very useful, thanks for that, but the pictures were pretty small, so I am trying to find larger ones of cars in any other colour than Argento ice - but without much luck. Any more links, anyone?

My local dealer had metal plates with the colours - helped me to choose. They were the size of oval dinner plates...if that helps...does yours?

PS this is the St Lucia Pearl me I think:

http://wheels.carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/Desk...&Alias=wheelsau

I think you will find that the colour in the 'Wheels' magazine is (in Oz) Silver Mica Metalic (1G1). I have the hard copy of the article and it appears to closely resemble this one. Perhaps Tonydownunder may also be able to confirm

Interestingly Australia does not receive RED in any shape or form on the IS250.

Yes, a very rewarding read. Although the article does not talk about the keyless entry feature of the Lexus which I like very much (which the BMW 3 series does not have)

I am after a Prestige model too, but it looks like delivery is likely to be the end of March if I buy now.

Happy Australia Day to every Aussie here,

Now back to work on Monday (for those lucky enough to take Friday off...like me!)

Cheers

Yet another new Aussie B) on board, looking forward to being part of the forum.

Looking at getting a IS250 prestige very soon - and thought that this was the best place

to learn more about this brilliant new model. Don't take my word for it. Check out

the January article that reviews the IS250 in Australia's 'Wheels Magazine".

The article titled "If at first you dont Exceed" is a good read and is quite complimentary I thought.

http://wheels.carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/Desk...&Alias=wheelsau

Sadly the IS250 did not win the recently announced Wheels 2005 car of the year award. The Mazda MX5 took the honour, but the IS250 came close being in the top 4 finalists :) out of the 21 models in the field.

The BMW 3 series didn't make the final 4, nor did the Lexus GS, however the article did mention that

"In Australia the 3 series dominance in its class has been unquestioned...until the recent emergence of one car - the Lexus IS250".

Quite a compliment for such a new entrant dont you think.

Cheers

Does anyone have an insight into the 'L-Finesse' styling concept that we see on both the GS and IS models

Japanese is very smart in doing business especially with pricing. If they sale the new IS250 the same price as the IS200 at the time of going out, how much do you think the old IS200 now worth ? Probably drop by half. In order to maintain their brand and the class of luxury, they have to justify the value by lifting the price of the new model and at the same time it has to be better value than the german rivals. By doing that they throw in a lot more new or better items/features. Yes, it sounds a lot more dearer. But if you look at the extra items/features such as : Much powerful engine and better fuel economy, bigger space & longer base, parking sonars, Vehicle Stability/Swerve Control, noise filter, advanced 13 speaker stereo system with mp3, Smart Entry / Push Button Start, Audio Controls on Steering Wheel, Climate Controlled Front Seats, dual zone AC, lighting inside outside, Optitron / Multi Information Display, Trip computer, Telescopic/reach adjust steering wheel, Adaptive Front-lighting System, front knee airbag (how much do you think a leg might cost), stronger body & paint and etc. How much do you think each individual item cost ? If you compare these extra/better/advanced items/features with the old IS200 you will find that the new IS250 is of better value indeed :D

I know that the structural rigidity of the IS250 is said to be 20% stiffer than the IS200, but what about the paint?

How does the paint (apart from obvious new colour range) differ from the outgoing model???

http://www.topgear.com/content/features/st...ories/21/1.html

It's won a Top Gear award because, after years of trying, someone's made a car that conquers the Three, but not by apeing BMW values. It's gone its own way and it's a better car for it.

Similar sentiments given by Australia's 'Wheels' magazine (Jan issue) - "Something tells us that the German Marques Lexus obvioulsy used as targets for benchmarks for the new IS are about to do some soul-searching of their own". :D

Well done to IS250 Chief Engineer Suguya Fukusato :winky:

Yes, a very rewarding read. Although the article does not talk about the keyless entry feature of the Lexus which I like very much (which the BMW 3 series does not have)

I am after a Prestige model too, but it looks like delivery is likely to be the end of March if I buy now.

Happy Australia Day to every Aussie here,

Now back to work on Monday (for those lucky enough to take Friday off...like me!)

Cheers

Perhaps the demand for the IS250 took Lexus Australia by surprise? I remember only last year that a similar waiting period took place for those wanting to get the Mazda 3. Mazda were quite taken back by the demand so much so that in some models/colour options you had to wait between 8 - 10 weeks for delivery.

The Mazda 3 has gained a solid reputation for it's style, equipment and value - hence its demand exceeding supply causing Mazda to increase its capacity.

Could the same be said for the IS250 model - were Lexus targets, and therefore its capacity to build, below initial expectations :o - causing a ramp up of production to meet demand?????

In Oz do you have to wait 2 - 3 months for delivery of a BMW 3 series? Or is it just unique to the IS250?

Cheers

Cheers