Maybe if they brought something to market with the flair and originality of the first Matrix, they could get back on the right foot with that model.
One thing is for sure, wagons and hatchbacks are on the rise in sales again. How ironic that Subaru and Volvo just cancelled their wagons, and that Toyota has no wagons except the Prius V...unless you include the very weird Venza, which I don't.
That new Auris looks nice, they should bring that here. But is it hybrid-only in Europe? If they sold it here with a regular small gas motor, I think it would sell pretty well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I wasn't a fan, either. The side window behind the C-pillar was ridiculously small, so visibility was awful. I liked the Corolla Fielder (a true wagon) much better.
Scion xB and xD didn't have windows behind the C-pillar at all. All 3 were poor redesigns.
The trend has been towards 5 door hatches vs longer wagons, but I'd like to see the latter make a come back, sure.
Auris is not hybrid only. I think it comes in gas and even diesel.
Tracking the race for world’s largest automaker, there is little change from last month. January through July, Toyota is half a million units ahead of number two which is some 400,000 units ahead of Volkswagen. This trend has been unchanged throughout the year . It most likely won’t change by year’s end – unless something drastic happens.
When the RAV4 debuted, it was this quirky little car-based jeeplet, and I think back then it was kinda cool for it to have a side-swinging rear door with a spare tire mounted on it. Made it different from the crowd.
But when they revised it into the large boring mainstream crossover it became for the 2006 MY, it was really a mistake not to make the back end conventional at that point.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Supposedly, the next one is going to spawn a small Lexus crossover to compete with the Audi Q3 and upcoming Volvo XC40 (will probably end up being compared to the BMW X1 which is silly IMO), so I bet this new one will be a bit shortened and more "toned up".
I saw some more speculation today that the third row is history after the revise, and possibly the V-6 too. Could RAV4 get the first small turbo in the Toyota lineup as a replacement for the V-6? More likely the Camry's hybrid setup, I would say....
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I remember reading the RAV4 V6 FWD was the quickest vehicle in their lineup, but that probably is overkill for a compact crossover. How many have you seen towing a trailer or with the 3rd row in use?
Not sure I've ever seen either.
CR-V outsells the RAV4 and that's with only one engine choice.
Scion and Lexus both did well. For the month Lexus led in lux sales but we're 2/3rds done for the year and they won't have time to catch up to M-B. BMW took a plunge.
ES sales nearly doubled. I know it doesn't appeal to you (or me) but it's selling.
The re-do wasn't even dramatic. Carry-over powertrain.
GS volume is up 421%. :surprise:
Wow, GS actually outsold the BMW 5, though both are still well behind the E class.
Told ya BMW softened up the 5 too much. You drive it and it doesn't draw you in like previous ones did. If you want sporty you get a 3 series and if you want luxury I guess you get something else.
Old ES was really old, no doubt some were simply holding off waiting for the even number new one. Yes it sells, affluent people who can barely fog a mirror need cars too
I wonder if the next Lexus Christmas ads will feature a big wheel - loving kid who ends up with an ES?
So they sold 421 GS?
I've read some less than glowing reports about the 5er from people who have rented them - they are apparently in the National and Avis fleets now. If you want luxury, you buy the MB...
I'd also consider the A-6 over the 5er, and possibly over the E-Class. Only going by what I've read and seen, since I haven't driven any of them. Also, the '14 CTS, due next year, may finally be competitive. GM seems to be serious about restoring Cadillac to its old glory.
I've driven the 5er and the E, then a 5 GT with the V8.
The 6 turbo isn't responsive the way it used to feel when normally aspirated and especially in the lighter 3 series. There's some throttle lag there. Plus it didn't feel particularly sporty. I think they figured it's a big sedan and the 1 and 3 can serve that target.
The GT with the V8 was a lot more responsive but just looking at the price made my eyes bleed.
The E350 felt good, between the two Bimmer engines. Better repsonse, even if it's ultimately not as fast. The DI helps. You feel substance, not sporty, and that's fine, even intentional.
The 4 banger turbos from both M-B and BMW have the same throttle lag issue, but we should get used to it because that's the future. :sick:
Wonder if the IS will keep the big V6, or go forced induction? CAFE rules are tough, but maybe Lexus can offset with give-away Scion leases.
I'm torn on the small engine/forced induction trend. I get why they do it, you get V6 performance with 4 banger economy, but responsiveness is inevitably lost. At least lag isn't as bad as it used to be.
Jaguar used to appeal to emotions ... it's a fickle market place.
Resale values eventually catch up to owners who choose like that.
Looks like BMW had supply issues, per Ward's they only had 15 days' supply on hand. Probably cleared 'em out last month with lease give-aways, so this was the hangover.
This guy put RX sales vs compacts, but IMHO it's a mid-sizer so I'd move it to the chart below. Either way it leads sales. RDX is a hit. Told ya the EX was too small.
Odd comparison there, IS and ES both same category? I look at ES as Camry/Avalon step-up more than real entry lux.
I expect E-class sales to falter next year, 2014 is supposed to see a heavy facelift. Might be some sweetheart leases though. No shortage of 7ers at my local BMW dealer, who also has tons of 5ers. Recent fleet arrivals make me believe they just aren't selling.
RX definitely belongs with the midsizers, its no Q5/GLK etc.
I'm wondering whether BMW intended to evolve the 5er into a cruiser, or stretching to emphasize luxury just turned it into one. If it was intentional they should have made sure it was at least equal to the E-Class before releasing it. This market doesn't forgive "almost-as-good."
As for the IS, it's too cramped, especially in the back seat, to be considered, in my opinion. Hopefully they'll fix this shortcoming in the next generation. The first gen IS was more competitive with the 3-Series than the current one, but it only came with an automatic in the U.S. Maybe Lexus will get it right on the third try.
My wife and I are happy with our A4 2.0T. Sure, there's a slight turbo lag coming off of very low rpms, and it's not quite as smooth or quiet as a six, but we don't mind these things. Some might, and others will just get used to it and not even think about it after a while. Also, manufacturers will keep improving the fours.
Current one isn't really "soft" though is it? Just bland and very long in the tooth now.
IMO GS is just as important, as for the Germans who Lexus so dearly wants to emulate and be held alongside, the middle car is a huge seller and image setter.
Then again these were BMW and Audi hosted events, you never know if they sabotage competitors' cars. LOL
BMW had an RX with bald tires running against its X5.
IS should be the volume sports sedan. ES is soft so no excuses. They should make the IS appeal to the buyers with ... how can I put this in a way you'll understand... with a pulse.
I'm sure that's it, sabotage is what makes Lexus soft :shades:
Right now, the IS seems to sell to those who would also consider an ES, but are too young for one. Make it too much of an actual car and some of those buyers might buy another model. But on the plus side, some new buyers might come from other brands. Probably a win for the isolating L.
But the CT is kind of dorky to many. The IS is something seen as sporty for people who are afraid to actually buy something interesting - kind of like a deluxe Scion in that mindset. Price it too high and buyers will remain with lease queen Germans, too.
When is the new one FINALLY going to arrive, anyway?
To do the "divorce/midlife crisis" thing right, one needs a bright red sportscar, a Hawaiian shirt open to the navel, sunglasses, several flashy pieces of bling, and a blonde gold-digging bimbo young enough to be one's daughter in the passenger seat! :P
bright red sportscar - mine's blue Hawaiian shirt - on Fridays in the summer open to the navel - no, the ID and smart phone in my pocket would sag sunglasses - check bling - no, only a wedding band blonde gold-digging bimbo young enough to be one's daughter in the passenger sea - my puppy's kinda blonde
Most of that criteria to me sounds like you should be driving a Vette! Get yourself a set of RayBans, a nice bright pink Members Only jacket and your all set!
Well the Bling could be more of an Escalade driver but still... :shades:
Comments
Maybe if they brought something to market with the flair and originality of the first Matrix, they could get back on the right foot with that model.
One thing is for sure, wagons and hatchbacks are on the rise in sales again. How ironic that Subaru and Volvo just cancelled their wagons, and that Toyota has no wagons except the Prius V...unless you include the very weird Venza, which I don't.
That new Auris looks nice, they should bring that here. But is it hybrid-only in Europe? If they sold it here with a regular small gas motor, I think it would sell pretty well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Scion xB and xD didn't have windows behind the C-pillar at all. All 3 were poor redesigns.
The trend has been towards 5 door hatches vs longer wagons, but I'd like to see the latter make a come back, sure.
Auris is not hybrid only. I think it comes in gas and even diesel.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/14/iihs-launching-first-new-frontal-crash-test-s- ince-1995-w-video/
They scored Poor as did the C class and A4.
This sort of proves the theory that cars had been designed to do well in specific crash tests.
Video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=mp0TWp-4Z28
Tracking the race for world’s largest automaker, there is little change from last month. January through July, Toyota is half a million units ahead of number two which is some 400,000 units ahead of Volkswagen. This trend has been unchanged throughout the year . It most likely won’t change by year’s end – unless something drastic happens.
So I've heard.
Hey, at least you're bustin' on them in a Toyota thread now. :P
2013 Toyota RAV4 Spotted in Southern California (Straightline)
Only took them, what, 18 model years to correct that?
Wonder how the schnoz will look on this one. It definitely looks better on the taller Auris vs, say, the Avalon.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/30/volkswagen-again-named-tops-in-total-quality-- survey-by-strategic/
They didn't win any single category, however.
But when they revised it into the large boring mainstream crossover it became for the 2006 MY, it was really a mistake not to make the back end conventional at that point.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The outgoing one offered a (ridiculously small) 3rd row.
I really don't think it needs that.
Europe got a SWB variant, ours was stretched. Compare the rear doors and you can really tell.
I wonder if they'll downsize slightly this time.
Average True Cost of Incentives for Toyota is down 24% vs. August 2011. Good chart at the link.
You'd think incentives would be up given they have more inventory now.
They just have newer models.
The RX is smaller than the Highlander, and they sell about a billion of them.
Much to some people's dismay.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Not sure I've ever seen either.
CR-V outsells the RAV4 and that's with only one engine choice.
$4 gas ain't hurting hybrid sales, tell you that.
It'll be withing millimeters of the CRV.
Scion and Lexus both did well. For the month Lexus led in lux sales but we're 2/3rds done for the year and they won't have time to catch up to M-B. BMW took a plunge.
God I hate marketing suits. Captivates? Seriously?
Was the GS listed, or did I miss it?
The re-do wasn't even dramatic. Carry-over powertrain.
GS volume is up 421%. :surprise:
Wow, GS actually outsold the BMW 5, though both are still well behind the E class.
Told ya BMW softened up the 5 too much. You drive it and it doesn't draw you in like previous ones did. If you want sporty you get a 3 series and if you want luxury I guess you get something else.
Old ES was really old, no doubt some were simply holding off waiting for the even number new one. Yes it sells, affluent people who can barely fog a mirror need cars too
I wonder if the next Lexus Christmas ads will feature a big wheel - loving kid who ends up with an ES?
So they sold 421 GS?
I've read some less than glowing reports about the 5er from people who have rented them - they are apparently in the National and Avis fleets now. If you want luxury, you buy the MB...
Wonder if BMW will make adjustments with the mid-model makeover?
The 6 turbo isn't responsive the way it used to feel when normally aspirated and especially in the lighter 3 series. There's some throttle lag there. Plus it didn't feel particularly sporty. I think they figured it's a big sedan and the 1 and 3 can serve that target.
The GT with the V8 was a lot more responsive but just looking at the price made my eyes bleed.
The E350 felt good, between the two Bimmer engines. Better repsonse, even if it's ultimately not as fast. The DI helps. You feel substance, not sporty, and that's fine, even intentional.
The 4 banger turbos from both M-B and BMW have the same throttle lag issue, but we should get used to it because that's the future. :sick:
Wonder if the IS will keep the big V6, or go forced induction? CAFE rules are tough, but maybe Lexus can offset with give-away Scion leases.
I'm torn on the small engine/forced induction trend. I get why they do it, you get V6 performance with 4 banger economy, but responsiveness is inevitably lost. At least lag isn't as bad as it used to be.
Maybe BMW still has the dies for the E39 and can remake it.
Resale values eventually catch up to owners who choose like that.
Looks like BMW had supply issues, per Ward's they only had 15 days' supply on hand. Probably cleared 'em out last month with lease give-aways, so this was the hangover.
2. C-Class - 6,519
3. G - 6,261
4. 3-Series - 6,202
5. CTS - 5,136
6. A4/5 - 4,864
7. MKZ - 3,327
8. TL - 3,201
9. IS - 2,369
10. TSX - 2,103
11. S60 - 2,038
I wonder if they make the IS better, would that hurt the ES?
Verano 5,200
ILX 1,733; hybrid 136
CT 1,472 -32.1%
CT feeling the new competitor pressure.
IS 2,369 -20.4%
TSX 2,103 -10.5%; wagon 270 +34.5%
Regal 2,072 -45.8%
A3 715 -6.4%
1series 477 -25.6%
IS not doing bad if you look at entry models.
ES 7,557 +87.2%
Cclass 6,519 +37.9%
3series 6,206 -29.3%
LaCrosse 5,593 +3.2%
CTS 5,136 -11.2%
G 5,123 +20.1%; coupe 1,138 -11.2%
MKZ 3,327 +42.4%
TL 3,201 +33.2%
A4 3,187 +21.5%
ES is brand new but looks like a hit.
Eclass 4,515 -19.8%
XTS 2,158
GS 1,831 +371.9%
5series 1,688
A6 1,569 +58.6%
MKS 1,019 -32%
M 666 -37.9%
RL 41 0%
BMW is the big loser here, but could be lack of supply?
Sclass 927 -5.5%
LS 786 -7.2%
A8 470 +.4%
7series 339 -56.3%
TownCar 78 -93.5%
Ouch BMW.
RX 8,628 +27.7%
RDX 2,926 +156.9%
GLK 2,775 +43.6%
X3 2,829 +18.8%
Q5 2,007 -12.8%
EX 216 -58.1%
This guy put RX sales vs compacts, but IMHO it's a mid-sizer so I'd move it to the chart below. Either way it leads sales. RDX is a hit. Told ya the EX was too small.
MDX 5,549 +77.5%
SRX 5,203 +12.4%
Enclave 5,125 -4.9%
X5 3,568 +21.2%
MKX 2,518 +27.8%
JX 2,378
Mclass 2,243 +2.4%
GX 1,071 +7.7%
Q7 951 +32.1%
FX 608 -17.9%
Thought the M class would be doing better since it's fresh. Bionic Cheetah faded once the JX came out.
I expect E-class sales to falter next year, 2014 is supposed to see a heavy facelift. Might be some sweetheart leases though. No shortage of 7ers at my local BMW dealer, who also has tons of 5ers. Recent fleet arrivals make me believe they just aren't selling.
RX definitely belongs with the midsizers, its no Q5/GLK etc.
I think the new 3er is finally starting to pick up steam.
I don't exactly agree with the categorization either, but the info is all there to digest.
BMW took a pretty big hit last month.
As for the IS, it's too cramped, especially in the back seat, to be considered, in my opinion. Hopefully they'll fix this shortcoming in the next generation. The first gen IS was more competitive with the 3-Series than the current one, but it only came with an automatic in the U.S. Maybe Lexus will get it right on the third try.
My wife and I are happy with our A4 2.0T. Sure, there's a slight turbo lag coming off of very low rpms, and it's not quite as smooth or quiet as a six, but we don't mind these things. Some might, and others will just get used to it and not even think about it after a while. Also, manufacturers will keep improving the fours.
Audi did well tuning that. In Comfort setting it felt like the Benz C or IS, and in Dynamic it felt like the 3 series.
I drove the 3l V6, though.
The Audi was the one that could sort of play both angles, though. No wonder their sales have improved.
Uh uh, it was available with a stick too, in fact there are 3 for sale right now in my area with a stick.
Too bad they don't make the IS350 with a stick.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
IMO GS is just as important, as for the Germans who Lexus so dearly wants to emulate and be held alongside, the middle car is a huge seller and image setter.
Then again these were BMW and Audi hosted events, you never know if they sabotage competitors' cars. LOL
BMW had an RX with bald tires running against its X5.
IS should be the volume sports sedan. ES is soft so no excuses. They should make the IS appeal to the buyers with ... how can I put this in a way you'll understand... with a pulse.
Right now, the IS seems to sell to those who would also consider an ES, but are too young for one. Make it too much of an actual car and some of those buyers might buy another model. But on the plus side, some new buyers might come from other brands. Probably a win for the isolating L.
They have the CT for entry buyers that want $299 leases.
Let the IS take a different path.
When is the new one FINALLY going to arrive, anyway?
You mention Scion and I was thinking about it - it could be re-launched as the sporty division for Toyota. Sell an FR-S based sedan and roadster.
An FR-S sedan isn't a bad idea at all.
bright red sportscar - mine's blue
Hawaiian shirt - on Fridays in the summer
open to the navel - no, the ID and smart phone in my pocket would sag
sunglasses - check
bling - no, only a wedding band
blonde gold-digging bimbo young enough to be one's daughter in the passenger sea - my puppy's kinda blonde
LOL
So about half of those.
Well the Bling could be more of an Escalade driver but still... :shades: