Lexus News: Lexus Plans For The Future With Coupes, Crossovers and a New CT Versions

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

January 16, 2012

Lexus is hoping to rebound from a poor 2011 and reclaim its crown of being the number one luxury automaker in sales. For 2012, Lexus is planning on introducing nine new or updated models, plus three F-Sport cars. The vehicles include the recently introduced GS350 and GS450h, while later on in the year we'll see updated versions of the ES, IS, LS, and LX.

Mark Templin, Lexus' general manager says the company is forecasting a 21% increase in sales this year.

"We will grow more than any other luxury brand this year. Our base plan is 240,000. But we think we can exceed that by a pretty good margin," Templin said.

Beyond this, Lexus is looking towards expanding their lineup with new models and more versions of existing cars. First will be the CT, for which there has been rumors of a high performance model coming out.

In addition, Lexus is looking at adding a seven seat crossover as the brand looks to phase out its body-on-frame SUVs.

And finally, Lexus is looking to get back in the coupe game. Karl Schlicht, Lexus' global head of product planning and marketing said the LF-LC Concept, shown at last week's Detroit Auto Show could be made into a production model with a price tag between $100,000 and $130,000.

But that's not all. Templin said he would like to see an SC430 replacement, priced around the $70,000 mark. And rumor has it that Lexus is working on a GS coupe to compete with Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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[G. David Felt]

Yawnnnnnnnn Some booring stuff. They can talk all they want about new models, but I have yet to seen anything that really stands out even their design exercises are just so damn booring on the conservative side. That and the fact that my Aunt who seems to be caught up in their marketing keeps buying their auto's and yet she always complains about the fit and finish and 2 years later takes it back and gets a new one.

WHY WHY WHY, It is amazing what people will get caught up in. Right now, Lexus is not that great of a car company, way better options coming from America and Europe.

[Drew Dowdell]

What is with the new Japanese luxury models all looking like they are sucking a lemon? Infinity and Lexus both have this design element in their grills.

[William Maley]

I don't know. I actually like Infiniti's grill.. Lexus' grill looks like the designer watched way too much Predator

[Drew Dowdell]

LOL

[ocnblu]

Lexus is a thin veneer.

[Robert Hall]

What is with the new Japanese luxury models all looking like they are sucking a lemon? Infinity and Lexus both have this design element in their grills.

Trying to get more agression and violence in their designs, I guess... the red coupe from Lexus at the NAIAS looks better than the LF-A, IMO...at least from the pics.