Featured Lexus exploring PHEV, full EV and fuel cell versions of LS flagship

Walking away shaking my head. Maybe @bisco can get mizzies bisco into one.

Bob Wilson

 

i wasn't really interested in this thread (or lexus) let me start at the beginning and catch up...

oh my, that was a waste of my time. good thing it isn't worth anything.

 

Time well spent for me. Reading about those with engineering backgrounds try to figure out business decisions is very informative.

 

Lexus LS Sales Figures | GCBC
Tesla Model S Sales Figures | GCBC
Toyota Mirai Sales Figures | GCBC

From someone that has both a lot of marketing experience and a engineering degree, one only has to look at 3 sales charts to see why the LS may need to add a plug.

Tesla sold roughly 29K model S cars in each of 2016 and 2017 in the US, the car has been out a long time and would be due for a redesign but engineering and manufacturing resources are needed elsewhere.

The lexus LS sold 36K in 2007 but had fallen to 4134 in north america (canada and US) last year. I expect a small recovery in lexus LS sales this year as they have replaced the v8 with a higher torque turbo v6 that produces better fuel economy and more satisfying acceleration. They won't climb up nearly to tesla numbers unless they add a plug (phev would be my choice but they need a more powerful battery than the prime). That idea that making it a fuel cell just is kind of advertising fodder, and it won't work outside of japan. The mirai with all that money poured into had trouble leasing less than 2K vehicles in north america last year, no one outside of friends of toyota will buy it in more expensive Lexus LS skin.

The hybrid dropped the v8 down to the normally aspirated v6. It gets 5 more mpg than the turbo 6, but still its not good fuel economy. It loses 60 hp and adds weight, I don't see more than low double digits of people paying for it. Bmw 7 series phev is sort of a pig, but sells better. Do that right, maybe 12 kwh of battery, rwd ima, with a motor upfront for electric awd and regen braking and it might sell.
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