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MB has been steadily moving down market over the past decade to increase unit volume;
BMW has been doing the same thing;
Prosche is building more than half its vehicle sales on a VW platform; need I say more?
Audi and VW platform sharing has become the rule rather than exception;
Saab, Volvo and Jag have all sold themselves to GM and Ford, in order to improve economy of scale.
Considering that the last generation Civic cost $4 billion in R&D and capital equipment, and the entire budget for the Maybach project is only half a billion . . . it doesn't take a genius to figure out that economy of scale is the key . . . it's either achieving that or extinction/being bought out.
population: vehicles sold
per capita income: average transaction price per vehicle.
Stated in these terms, toyota should not just measure itself in terms of vehicles sold, revenue etc.
Tell me, which book (finance or other) says that? Analogies can be made only with facts to support.
IMO, capital gain per stock share (per unit time) is the way to go, simple and easy.
It should measure itself in terms of price per vehicle sold.
Only when it can garner more price per vehicle sold every year compared to competition, can it claim that its making progress.
Rolls Royce is about the top sedan maker in terms of price per vehicle sold. Yet it got bankrupted and sold to the not so "progressive" BMW. Same goes for Jaguar, which was sold to Ford. How ironic!
In last 5 decades after coming to US, they have just 13% of market share. This simple fact can tell us a lot about the mammoth challenge against mighty Ford.
Do you realize the mighty Ford became mighty by selling the ultra cheap T model? Not much "progress" in that department, right? And how much share does Ford have in Japan?
As we speak, Toyota is already world's largest automaker by units sold. Not to mention it is the largest automaker in terms of market capitalization, about 20 times larger than GM! (Check NYSE if you are in doubt). In addition, the largest net profit per year, more than the sum of all non-Japanese automakers combined! :shades:
V12's and the "end" of Toyota???????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Know what I mean?
TagMan
Most of you might disagree with me, but thats great because only through a thorough debate and sometimes diametrically opposing views can we arrive at sound conclusions.
But I do not want anyone to cast aspersions on my degrees. In all humility I deserve credit for all the work I did.
Try to be more tolerant and civilized, and less violent and you will see we are not that much different in our views.
Now how many of you think lexus LS will have night vision like mercedes S550.
Also, does anyone have an idea what J Press meant by "new standards in passive safety".
If anyone know inside information about these new innovations pass them around.
Merc might be biased, but he certainly seems to have a college education, maybe not MIT, but no Chico state either. So please don't compare him to well, MIT graduates :P
Feel free to take a shot whenever you wish!
A troll here and there is fine by me. I think it helps us appreciate a quality post when it is provided.
DrFill
1) Respond to the comments made in the post and NOT to the member or his/her intellect, personality, etc.
2) Ignore it.
Additionally, this is not the topic in which to talk about Toyota in general. The News & Views board is a great place for that conversation, but in here we're sticking close to info on the upcoming Lexus LS.
Thanks for your cooperation!
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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This is mainly for all you car show experts. How many car shows are there annually? I thought that there were only a handful, but it seems like there are quite a few. I see in the local paper today that at the Chicago Car Show this week the new ES350 was unveiled by Lexus. At the opening of the show, Jim Press, president and COO of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. gave an optimistic speech about the state of the industry despite layoffs and billion dollar losses by Ford & GM. Among other things he said, "we don't have an ailing industry". He also stated that it was a wise move by GM to halve its dividend and curb executive salaries and retiree pensions. I thought this was good PR by Press. It's easy for him to say, right ;-)?
But getting back to my main point, does every major U.S. city have a car show of some kind? I know that St. Louis also has a car show. Is the Detroit Show (which I attended) the largest in the world? Finally, has anyone heard any more details about the New York Auto Show coming up in April? This is when the world class LS600h is suppose to be unveiled.
This was posted on the 8th on the Lexus.com website:
High Output V8, World's First Eight-Speed Transmission
The LS will be powered by an all-new highly advanced 4.6-liter V8 engine that will produce approximately 380 horsepower and 370 pound-feet of torque. Combined with an eight-speed automatic transmission, a world-first, the LS 460 will travel from zero-to-sixty miles per hour in less than 5.5 seconds. With that level of performance, the new LS will achieve an estimated combined city/highway mileage in the mid-20s. Lexus is targeting an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle II (ULEV II) rating for the LS 460.
Hardly sounds definitive to me. What I was looking for something measurable. Thanks, though.
I think those are measureable.
It would help if you didn't tell me what I already knew. Not trying to be a smart***, but I am just returning the favor!
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2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
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The LS is supposed to be supremely competent, not a spirited or entertaining handler.
DrFill
I was more in the line of insulting myself than anything else... I didn't see the point of his post other than belittling me.
Just trying to find some facts out.
Is there an event the LS is going to be shown at again? Maybe this will be when the official specs are given?
24 is an awesome show isn't it?
The car he was driving was the handsome GS 430.
Geeze, Lynne is a gutless tool hey? I say,"You're Fired."
Length (inches) 198.0 202.8
Wheelbase (inches) 116.9 121.7
Width (inches) 73.8 73.8
Height (inches) 58.1 58.1
Performance
Engine 4.6-liter Direct-
Injection V8 4.6-liter Direct-
Injection V8
Horsepower [1] 380 380
Eight-speed automatic transmission Standard Standard
0-60 MPH [1] Less than
5.5 seconds Less than 5.5 seconds
Combined Fuel Economy [1] Mid-20 MPG Mid-20 MPG
Vehicle Dynamic Integrated Management (VDIM) [5] Standard Standard
Luxury
Leather-trimmed interior Standard Standard
Interior wood trim Standard Standard
SmartAccess with push-button Start/Stop Standard Standard
Mark Levinson® 19-speaker Reference Surround Sound System [4]
with 7.1 channel architecture Optional Optional
8-GB audio server Optional Optional
Front and rear climate-comfort seats Optional Optional
Premium Four-Passenger Seat Package
with rear-seat entertainment system N/A Optional
Rear-seat massager N/A Optional
(right rear seat only)
4-zone climate control with Air Purifier Optional Optional
Safety/Security
Lexus voice-activated HDD Navigation System [2]
with Bluetooth® technology [3] Optional Standard
One-touch, open/close trunk Optional Standard
Does the above help? I suppose you are looking for something more specific that that given by Lexus on their web site as "Specifications".
What I am looking for is the official numbers for the following: HP, T, Accel., MPG.
I guess I will have to hold my horses until maybe NYIAS.
Goodnight Everybody.
0-60 - mid 5's
mpg - mid 20's
That's in the press release. Don't remember if they noted Torque.
Make the ipod easy to integrate with the audio with info available on the NAV screen or on the gauges like MB does.
DrFill
Regarding the LS460L, many of the reviews, including this one, indicate a plural description of the rear reclining seat(s) with foot rest(s) . . . but, somehow I was under the impression that Lexus made the decision that only the rear passenger on the right side can have that foot rest feature.
Since it does initially seem more logical that the feature would be on both sides, I would guess that most reviewers just make that assumption.
So . . . which is it definatively? Are the reviewers correct that the foot rest is on both sides? . . . or did Lexus actually limit the rear foot rest to only the right side? . . . And if so, what's the deeper thinking here?
My only guess is that if the key was off and two foot rests were left in the up position, that the rear access would then be blocked, so, therefore they decided to force the access to the left side. But, it makes sense that the foot rest should automatically lower as the passenger left the vehicle, anyway, to prevent it from being left in the up position. But, perhaps the foot rest in the up position doesn't block the access anyway, and it's position is not relevant to the limitation of only one foot rest . . . IF there is only one. ?????????
:confuse:
TagMan
garyh1 - That's pretty good reasoning. So . . . we can now add another theory to the mix. :confuse:
TagMan
Do we need auto park, laser cruise control, 4 zone AC, foot rest for the back seat, night vision, etc? At first, it seems like we do not need them but perhaps after having them we cannot imagine a car without them. Remember power locks, power windows, Power seats, auto transmit ions, auto lights, rain sensing wipers, auto folding mirrors, smart keys, voice activated NAVIs, back up cameras, air conditioned seats, etc. When you are used to these goodies, try driving a car that does not have them! Oh, I need keys in my hands to get in, turn on the lights, turn on the wipers, remember where I am supposed to go, etc. You get the message. But you say that all that stuff is for old men, we need a mean driving machine for those of us who love to drive. I enjoy driving but is more like a chore than recreation. Am I the only one out there with this attitude? I want a nice, comfortable, safe luxurious car that makes my life easier.
A lot of wealthy people may not want to park their car, or worry about adjusting the climate, etc.
These are cars with features many are buying, or told Lexus they would buy, so they are produced.
No one NEEDS an LS. It's supposed to be a car you WANT.
DrFill