[mister]

We've got some new information from Lexus on what their goals are for the NX.

There will be two different drive trains offered: a 235-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, or a 194-hp four-cylinder hybrid. Lexus expects that the turbo drive train will account for 80 to 85 percent of sales in the US. Overall, Lexus is aiming to sell 2,200 NX units a month.

Do you think that the turbo model will account for that much of overall sales? Do you think that Lexus will sell 2,200 units a month, or maybe even more?

http://www.4wheelsnews.com/lexus-se...-2200-units-a-month-for-the-nx-compact-cross/

 

[Kennedy]

Lexus expects that the turbo drive train will account for 80 to 85 percent of sales in the US

Sounds doable, basically all their entry level, mainstream models to get it and this shouldn't be too hard

 

[mojo]

I think that's conservative, 26,400 units moved annually. We'll see. If NX recieves even a fraction of the interest and intent the RX has enjoyed, 26,400 is going to be met months in advance...

 

[Thai]

It all depends on cost...i hope that Lexus price it right. $45k max with everything (hybrid).

 

[toyotafan]

how many units of the RX does lexus move a month?

 

[mojo]

how many units of the RX does lexus move a month?

it varies, just scanning the numbers RX probabaly averages out to 8,000 a month...

 

[toyotafan]

96k units for the rx then?

so the NX goal is pretty low

 

[Kennedy]

It's also not part of their goal to make these cars a big hit right away, instead it's a long term approach, they rather see steady long term consistent gains rather than some awesome gain for a short time and die the rest of the time

 

[mister]

If the RX is selling that much though, than I think that the NX is going to end up selling more than 2,000 each month. Maybe not the very first month that it is on sale, but once it catches on a bit.

 

[toyotafan]

i would assume the NX would be more popular than the RX

 

[Kennedy]

Low expectations from Lexus goes to show what their intentions are

 

[mojo]

It's also not part of their goal to make these cars a big hit right away, instead it's a long term approach, they rather see steady long term consistent gains rather than some awesome gain for a short time and die the rest of the time

Looking at the RX numbers I posted above, can you really say there is anything inconsistent about its performance over the years? perhaps the odd spike up to 10-12K, but steadily it hovers at least around 7-8K per month. In face I'm betting the RX is going to have its worst year in a while once the NX is sold for a full year...

 

[Thai]

Looking at the RX numbers I posted above, can you really say there is anything inconsistent about its performance over the years? perhaps the odd spike up to 10-12K, but steadily it hovers at least around 7-8K per month. In face I'm betting the RX is going to have its worst year in a while once the NX is sold for a full year...

I don't know...RX is usually bought by soccer moms or conservative bunch...folks like prefer reliability and luxury over sportiness and flash. (These same folks are what makes ES350 so popular for the very same reasons.) Otherwise, they would have bought X5, GLK/ML, etc..

The NX is extreme (relatively speaking). Shape is extreme. The ride and exhaust note are extreme...again for a Lexus. And now, even the power train is extreme.

In other words, most folks who shop for RX will not look at NX. And most folks who shop for NX was not going into Lexus to buy a RX. NX will appeal to those who thought Lexus was too boring for them...it is for those who are moving up from a Mazda CX-5. It is for those shopping b/w BMW X3 vs. Mercedes GLA or even Porsche Mican. These folks would rather die than be caught in a RX!

My prediction is that the RX (like ES) will continue to sell extremely well...just like ES continues to sell well despite IS350.

 

[toyotafan]

i disagree with pretty much everything you are saying

i am cross shopping an RX with a NX and I think alot of RX shoppers will look at the NX to see if it fits their lifestyle and the vice versa

 

[Thai]

i disagree with pretty much everything you are saying

i am cross shopping an RX with a NX and I think alot of RX shoppers will look at the NX to see if it fits their lifestyle and the vice versa

Yes, there will be a minority who shops for both. But, i have a question for you...why is the ES350 so popular? Why is the IS doing well too? Both occupy similar price bracket. Competition, no? But, yet, each is selling well...do IS owners shop ES? And vice versa?

For me, it is NX or nothing. Well, it is NX or maybe GS350 (IS too small for 3 kids). No RX. RX to me is too boring (like ES350). My mother loves her ES and would not lay eyes on IS. She loves RX as well and thinks NX is ugly and too extreme looking.

 

[Kennedy]

Yes, there will be a minority who shops for both. But, i have a question for you...why is the ES350 so popular? Why is the IS doing well too? Both occupy similar price bracket. Competition, no? But, yet, each is selling well...do IS owners shop ES? And vice versa?

For me, it is NX or nothing. Well, it is NX or maybe GS350 (IS too small for 3 kids). No RX. RX to me is too boring (like ES350). My mother loves her ES and would not lay eyes on IS. She loves RX as well and thinks NX is ugly and too extreme looking.

How I see it they both supply some serious demand.
You have the Lexus IS for those who want a compact, luxury, and affordable entry-level sedan.

Meanwhile those that want a bigger, more luxury geared entry-level sedan go for the ES.

 

[Thai]

How I see it they both supply some serious demand.
You have the Lexus IS for those who want a compact, luxury, and affordable entry-level sedan.

Meanwhile those that want a bigger, more luxury geared entry-level sedan go for the ES.

Exactly. NX (like IS) won't affect RX (like ES) sales much at all...and vice versa.

Same goes for Toyota Highlander vs. 4runner. So, this is not the first time something like this happens in Toyota/Lexus land.

 

[mojo]

The thing about IS vs ES is that Lexus needs to sell two cars in segment to satisfy these differing tastes whereas the Germans sell both in one package, thats the reason you see the split. Plus it helps that the ES is based on Avalon/CAmry, plus its basically the car that put lexus on the map and simultaneously naild Caddy and Lincoln to the board, that caries a TON of weight especially with these older folks.

But we also have to consider that the buying population is far more vast then just your mum.

And the soccer mum crowd you're referencing, you've overlooked an important factor. These people want to be the same but a different same, see its not about actually being different but looking like you're actually being different. NX provides them with that difference without actually leaving the bubble. They still get a reputable luxury brand that all their friends will respect, but they also get to have something their friends don't have. Don't underestimate that type of petty pull.

That or they'll just buy MKC's

 

[Thai]

The thing about IS vs ES is that Lexus needs to sell two cars in segment to satisfy these differing tastes whereas the Germans sell both in one package, thats the reason you see the split. Plus it helps that the ES is based on Avalon/CAmry, plus its basically the car that put lexus on the map and simultaneously naild Caddy and Lincoln to the board, that caries a TON of weight especially with these older folks.

But we also have to consider that the buying population is far more vast then just your mum.

And the soccer mum crowd you're referencing, you've overlooked an important factor. These people want to be the same but a different same, see its not about actually being different but looking like you're actually being different. NX provides them with that difference without actually leaving the bubble. They still get a reputable luxury brand that all their friends will respect, but they also get to have something their friends don't have. Don't underestimate that type of petty pull.

That or they'll just buy MKC's

I agree with your first paragraph...and thus two cars in one price bracket and both selling well. With each, they appeal to different groups of people...thus, supporting what i said earlier. Folks who shop for ES won't look at IS and vice versa. And having two cars in the same/similar price bracket does NOT necessarily mean that one vehicle will eat the other sales.

If soccer moms want to be different, then they will look elsewhere...why do you think there are a ton of Lexus RX's at soccer games? Why do you think that there are a ton of Lexus ES at domino's night? No one is buying an RX to be "different" or "hip"...and as stats shown, there are a ton of folks who buy RX to be pretty much the same...folks who value practicality, reliability, durability, and luxury.

Moms who want to be different? They buy something else, like BMW X5, Escalades, etc..

The NX may bring some of these "different" moms back to Lexus...i agree 100%. But that was not my argument at all. The folks that NX brings back (due to difference factor) were never in the RX crowd to begin with.

So, again, having the NX in the lineup will do very little (if at all) to RX sales. That is my point.

I am not sure what you guys are disagreeing with me about...but i think that we share similar views...just expressed differently!