http://www.just-auto.com/news_detail.asp?art=45614 "We've received significantly more pre-launch orders for the 400h than we've had for any vehicle in our entire 15-year history," said Lexus general manager, Denny Clements. "Although we're pleased with the early public response to the 400h, we are mindful of our need to respond to these customers in a timely manner," he added. At the beginning of August, with an order bank of 8,000, Lexus told dealers that the 400h’s arrival in showrooms had been delayed a few months from the originally scheduled date in December. Delaying the RX400h to February meant it would reach dealers early in 2005 as a 2006 model; a December launch would be a 2005 model year car. The new customer communication system will correspond directly with wait-list customers on at-least a quarterly basis with updated information about their order. The retail ordering system will allow dealers to assign a customer name to a specific vehicle prior to its production and then track that vehicle throughout the distribution process. This is a first for Lexus and will provide timely updates on the progress of a customer's order and their expected vehicle delivery date.
I wish Toyota had done that with the Prius. It would be nice to have some peace of mind, knowing that the manufacturer is directly tracking your order to ensure that you receive your vehicle in the order the request was processed (to the best of their ability, of course). So many horror stories from the Prius wait list have me constantly checking my dealer to make sure that their policies haven't "changed" to turn them a bigger profit. I'm always assured that the wait list is handled in order, and no vehicles are being sold for more than MSRP. On my last check, August 23rd, I was 35th on the list and they were still averaging 3 a month...I've been on the list since April (and at least have been receiving the "Form emails" from Toyota stating that they know I'm on their list). I don't mind waiting for the car I want. I mind being kept in the dark about where my order sits, especially knowing there are are no "rules" the dealers follow on the ordering process...I guess if I wanted to pay the extra $$$ for a Lexus, I'd be all set, eh? [email protected]
