A Message from Karl Schlicht, General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning

Posted by Kevin on January 17th, 2012

The following is a message from Karl Schlicht, General Manager of Global Lexus Product & Marketing Planning, who asked me at the Detroit Auto Show if he could address my readers directly from time to time.

Well that was more like it, and I am not just talking about the fabulous Detroit weather during this traditionally blustery time of year — the North American International auto show is back, and in a more sustainable way than in the past.

The competitors are introducing a mix of interesting small cars, their famed traditional muscle cars and all new luxury models. Cadillac has a new small model that looks properly executed for the first time, and Lincoln showed a concept that didn’t personally inspire me, but their goals about boutique and customer service are to be admired.

For Lexus, we showed the full line of new GS models, including the hybrid GS 450h and F Sport versions that look very good. We can’t wait to start letting you look at these models — we went all out to provide a fabulous new GS, and it’s our best ever. There have been lots of comments about the interior as well — Lexus is not intending to lose its comfort leadership, even as we provide a sporty and more fun driving experience than in the past.

And then — and I’m trying to be modest here — the stunning LF-LC stole the show, didn’t it?

Lexus LF-LC Concept

This Lexus GT 2+2 is an art piece, with gorgeous lines and in the nicest red that you can imagine. You can look at it forever and still discover new features and curves each time. And the interior — to die for!

I know it’s just a concept, but I’d love to hear from Lexus enthusiasts — what you think? Should we move forward with this? Does Lexus need this kind of a coupe? What would you change, if anything?

I’ll be checking back to read your replies, and I hope to be back occasionally on this site — thanks for supporting Lexus!

Karl Schlicht is in charge of the Lexus worldwide product and marketing planning division, which was formed two years ago to help guide the brand globally. www.lexus-global.com

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Comments
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    Sancali357
  • January 17, 2012
Bring it on LF-LC we need you :)
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    Lexustechsa
  • January 17, 2012
BUILD IT !  :)
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    Thegreatkingissafe
  • January 17, 2012
a roadster, IS coupe, GS coupe and LF-LC are needed in the Lexus line-up!
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      Erich Kerner
    • January 17, 2012
    i second that....i wonder why Lexus - until today - has no roadster in it´s lineup....great seller in the US and the middle east.
    • Anonymous
    • January 17, 2012
    I agree. I believe every model should have a non convertible coupe at least. The LF-LC would be a great next Gen LS coupe!
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    Damian
  • January 17, 2012
Yes..... please and how about a  better looking IS coupe not the funny looking IS hardtop, But I'm a fan of Scion,Toyota,Lexus..... Keep up the good work better looking and faster sport cars!
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Hello!  Very happy to see you in this blog. Keep up the good work. I love yours news models. Best regards from Montréal. Happy new year and full of success. Pierre Léveillé
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My message is for M. Schlicht of course.
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    Abode_lexus
  • January 17, 2012
bring the is coupe, gs coupe, sc, and this, these are the only models that missing right now, but bring it this year....
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    76210Guy
  • January 17, 2012
Love the coupe, but as a very happy SC430 owner, I want a comparable, flagship luxury hardtop convertible.  My extended warranty is u in 2016. I'll be ready.  Bring it on!
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    Mikolaj Donimirski
  • January 17, 2012
You definately need a marvelous looking IS coupe and new SC like You've just showed. Imagine similar IS coupe... new market, huge possibilities... both hybrids of course. GS is rather sedan and should stay as it is. Set the trends !
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    Thomas
  • January 17, 2012
Personally I would not spend money to buy a coupe. I love Lexus, I love the new and the previous GS and the IS 250/350 and the wonderful LS. I like the CT too allthough it should have a little more power and ideally should have been RWD. I miss that Lexus dont have the IS SportCross anymore or any "wagon" for that matter (I'm European). As for coupes, I dont need one to be honest, and if I did need an expensive coupe I'd probably buy a Ferrari instead. Hopefully Lexus listens to it's real customers and not the dreamers that frequents this and that blog!
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      LexusLVR
    • January 19, 2012
    RWD on the CT200h would have made the car worthless for rear passengers. Look no further than the BMW 1 series 5-door which has no leg space in the back. FWD was the way to go from the start. It's not like the car handles poorly.
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    lexusjoe
  • January 17, 2012
Mr Schlicht, DEFINITELY BUILD IT. It WILL Sell!  And it will probably force the competition to raise their "bar". The LF-LC is Gorgeous. Congrats to Calty and Lexus. We also need a lower priced 3 row SUV!
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    naz
  • January 17, 2012
you definitely need a a car to rival the Merc SL and Jag XK. This car would be a fantastic rival in production form. But it must ooze passion and emotion. The LF-LC just does it.  The SL will have a great competition in its hand. And it would really get Lexus noticed and attract the younger buyers lexus so needs. More models please lexus. Young people like coupes..So a coupe variant for every saloon is needed. Give us more body choices to select from. Keep up the good work !
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    Editor Clublexus
  • January 17, 2012
LF-LC is definitely needed but we need an IS Coupe and a GS Based coupe to replace the void left by SC. These should be traditional 2 door coupes, not convertibles first (current ISC & SC430). A premium highline coupe should be last as the need for a more affordable luxury & sporty coupe is way overdue.
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    05RollaXRS
  • January 17, 2012
Ofcourse, a coupe placed below the legendary Lexus LFA is desperately needed so I would strongly support a new coupe model. However, Mr. Schlicht this should have a great sonorous and exciting V8 engine in it (preferably, high-revving and powerful with a great sound). Not a hybrid. It will definitely not get people excited with a hybrid drivetrain. Thanks.
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      Simon
    • January 17, 2012
    I'm 100% with you! Precisely what I had in mind. Nothing less!
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Yes Mr Schlicht in South  African Market well Lexus is still given the respect it deserves,but bringing and SC coupe /IS Coupe with a Hybrid power plant,Lexus will be a brand to be reckon with in this market!!
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    Ron armour
  • January 17, 2012
I would buy something similiar in the $60k area but with a little less bling. While very exciting to look at, this is probably to big a step for most Lexus owners including me. Porsche always got it right because they used lots of curves instead of hard edges......resulting in a long production run.........your SC coupe showed this to be true.
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Lexus do need a halo car like the LF-LC for sure. For years people, and my self as well, admired the quality of Lexus "the pursuit of perfection", let us be proud of it's look and the way it drives, bring passion to Lexus. I love the exterior but I would make the front end more elegant, not soft as the new GS but just more elegant especially the headlights (wish I was a designer to know how to express it better).  As for the interior I really like the new direction. Sophisticated yet simple and clean.I like the way the leather+wood+and high tech main screen comes together, but I wish the gauges to be more elegant and simple and less LFA style. In my opinion gauges should always be simple and clean.  And again, just bring PASSION to Lexus, don't let Lexus to be VOLVO. As an IS-F owner I enjoy the most the great service, the quality and the reliability, but yes I do wish if it had more stylish interior and exterior, people don't love lexus because it has a kind of boring conservative design, they love it for all the other things. 
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    Mick
  • January 17, 2012
Yes Lexus definitely needs this and other coupes in the lineup! A proper non-convertible IS coupe, a new SC, and a coupe in the 100-150K range. Other than that, a GS coupe would be great.
  • Anonymous
  • January 17, 2012
I think first - lexus needs an IS coupe (and NOT a convertible like the ISC) ... also a GS coupe. Lexus is seriously lacking in the coupe department... and if lexus wants to attract the younger buyers it cannot come soon enough. BMW/Audi/Mercedes as tons of coupes, and they sell well the 3/6 series, CLK/SLK/SL and A5 specifically in my area)   But to answer your question - YES, build this. At ~$100,000-$150,000 this will be an attainable "baby LFA" of sorts!
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    Sanda
  • January 17, 2012
Agreed. A baby LFA is really needed in the Lexus line up with the same passion, excitement, sensory overload that LFA gives. It is a true driver's car. The same spirit needs to be applied to a cheaper version LF-LC car that uses a high-revving V8 engine with an amazing engine sound and great driver oriented dynamics. That is what will get everyone passionate about Lexus cars. I agree the hybrid thing with CVT transmission. Just will not work. It goes against everything driving excitement and exhilaration is all about. 
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    Sebastien Kroetsch
  • January 17, 2012
A real IS Coupe no questions asked Karl. Give it that gorgeous LF-LC front grill & lines and Lexus will own the segment. Bye bye 3 series. But most important of all where's the forced induction? I know I keep repeating myself but Toyota made the best Turbo setups in the past. It's time for them to bring it back and show everyone how it's done. Don't be shy. We can, we will.
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    Mike DeLorca
  • January 17, 2012
Mr. Schlict-----Thank you for your interest and our valued customer opinions...... I am a die hard enthusiast LEXUS owner and plead to you to vote this concept thru to production. It is a smash and the German detractors who reply to the blogs hate it......only because it is a true artist design and marvel of machinery.....this is where LEXUS needs to be in sport coupes and thru out the lineup.....the direction LEXUS is heading is fantstic.  It is one of the most beautiful designs ever released.....also the next generation LS flagship is due soon and I think the wheel base length needs to be offfered even longer than the "L" version.....Blow the competition away !
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    ydooby
  • January 17, 2012
This shouldn't even be a question. Lexus NEEDS this car to bring DESIRE back to the brand. The LFA is nice but is barely visible in the public due to its severely limited production quantity and unattainable pricing. Even if this car doesn't sell in large volumes it will still be more than justified with the level of brand image this car can help elevate.
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    Cable
  • January 17, 2012
WTF Dude? More PR stuff? Of course you need to produce the thing and more, Lexus coupes and  wagons for everyone, yeah we need IS and GS coupes and wagons, new IS-F, GS-F, LS-F and AWD CT-F, let's make those arrogant braggers from BMW and Mercedes eat Lexus dust, also you should point more that Lexus is mostly RWD compared with the FWD Audi, in commercials.
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      Simon
    • January 17, 2012
    That's real talk right here... Gotta love your comment @Cable! Lexus needs to expand their "F" series, not only "F-sport" which isn't serious enough IMO. Make that new SC-F (LF-LC) which will be the true evolution of the 92-00 SC and make a true GS-F ; both with high revving V8 at least. Please forget hybrid for "F" models ; we want sound! Refined sound indeed (you did pure awesomess with the LF-A). Bring it on Lexus...
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    Cable
  • January 17, 2012
Oh, and the Toyota GRMN Sports Hybrid Concept II would make a great Lexus to go against the Porsche Boxster and Mercedes SLK.
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LOVE FOR THE LF-LC! AND LOTS OF LOVE FOR THE LX AND LS!
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      Thomas
    • January 17, 2012
    All capital letters! Wow...
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    Gotta show my interest! aha After all, Lexus will be taking my money.
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LF-LC looks great, but over 100K will make it hard for most people, even for current Lexus owners. The SC coupe was much in line with most people's budget. I don't like the idea of making a 4 door sedan into a two door coupe or a coupe into a 4 door sedan, they all kind of looking funny. Lexus need a real replacement of the SC and price similarly. I think people love Lexus because they can own one, which is usually not the case for Ferrari, so don't price it like one. However, I don't think anyone mind if the new SC looks gorgeous like the LF-LC. Just don't price it out of most people's range.
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    Thomas
  • January 17, 2012
I'd rather want Lexus to have few but amazing quality cars, like present, instead of having hundreds of versions of the same crap like Audi and other germ's have. I love the simplicity of todays lineup. It's honest and real.
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    Lexus Love
  • January 17, 2012
I could not be happier with my current 2008 RX!  Wanted one with the original release in my teens and got last year at the age of 27.  It blows any other luxury SUV away.  It doesn't try, it just is.  I hope the beauty of the new models and concepts makes it way throughout the the prodct line. As long as they continue to break away from re badging a Toyota things will be beyond perfect!  (We need a non 4-Runner GX and a non Land Cruiser LX.)  Lexus has and always will be my favorite. 
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    Pattebb
  • January 17, 2012
Build it....It looks great, just tone down the front little. And put in the LS hybid ofcourse with little more power and not the usually cvt transmission, but with a more dualclutch gearbox. And see to that the new GS and new IS comes with wagon´s. I´am from Europe to, and we in Sweden loves wagons, Thx for ur interest Karl, and please come back and wright more about Lexus future..

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