Lexus Focusing on Two-Coupe Strategy?

Posted by Kevin on November 14th, 2012

Colum Wood from Autoguide recently talked to Lexus USA national marketing manager Brian Bolain about the brand’s future plans for the LF-CC & LF-LC concepts:

Pointing towards the future, Bolain highlights the LF-CC and the LF-LC Concepts…

Bolain confirmed that the LF-LC isn’t yet confirmed for production, though the, “outcry has been tremendous.”

Two-door planning at Lexus does, however, stop with these two cars says Bolain. When asked if the Toyota luxury brand might consider an additional model, perhaps to compete with cars like the Mercedes SLK or BMW Z4, he commented that Lexus has no plans to, “flood the market with coupes.”

With one coupe sitting between the IS & GS and another coupe positioned at the top of the lineup with (or even above) the LS, Lexus should be able to satisfy the majority of drivers looking for a two-door car — anything more would likely overload the lineup.

One other point from the AutoGuide story:

Bolain also says that while Lexus has, “no timeline for the introduction of lithium ion,” the brand hopes to have it confirmed for when (and if) the LF-LC coupe makes it into production.

Read more of the Brian Bolain interview at AutoGuide

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    BlackDynamiteOnline
  • November 14, 2012
I don't know what Lexus is waiting for.  How much confirmation do they need before they get to work? BD
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      Raptor
    • November 15, 2012
    Agreed.  Lexus is painfully slow to "get it!"
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      Thomas
    • November 15, 2012
    You really dont understand much about the car-industry, do you?
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      LF_EH
    • November 15, 2012
    Why are you always so negative? BD makes lots of intelligent posts on this site. I struggle to think of a single post that he has made that I did not agree with.
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      Thomas
    • November 20, 2012
    I dont find posts like that intelligent at all... Lexus needs to consider the coupe-question very carefully. Lexus' customers arent typically out to buy a sports car and Lexus needs to consider if they are able to change that or if it would be wiser to stick to the current working formula.
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If Lexus wanted a 2-doors vehicle on their marketing , they want it to have good sales ... not 10-unit per months ; Lexus only did something like SC & IS C before , Lexus's Coupe image for most buyer is thin .
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    Ljn71
  • November 15, 2012
If Lexus not planning an SLK,Z4,Cayman competitor may be to avoid conflict with Toyota's confirmed plans to expand their sportscar lineup. A replacement for the Supra is on the way. (Yeay!!)
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      LexusLVR
    • November 15, 2012
    What about the customer who wants a Lexus SLK/Z4? Lexus is alienating such people. They don't want a Toyota. They want a Lexus. A brand with premium status.
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      Ljn71
    • November 15, 2012
    A fair point,and I would love a Lexus sportscar,but it's only logical they don't want interfere with Toyota product plans.
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      Brad
    • November 15, 2012
    I totally agree with you from Lexus/Toyota stand point.I think also,in all fairness,Supra fans(my self included) have been begging far longer & harder for the Supra since it's demise than Lexus fans(my self included) have for a SLK/Z4 rival.I think there's enough versions of the 'toyobaru' already & I'm sure Lexus doesn't want to hear all the haters saying that they make glorified Toyota's.I think it's a smart move on their part & I think anybody that doubts them wil be very surprised in the next half decade.I think by then,we'll look back with amazement and as enthusiasts,with great pride! From a personal stand point,I like both Lexus & Toyata's & I don't subscribe to snobbery.It would definately have me interested if they brought the Supra back & I wouldn't be ashamed to drive a Scion FR-S either.If I'm shopping for a sports car,(and I am) It comes down to how much I enjoy it & how big of a smile it puts on my face.Case in point-The reason I don't own a GT-R isn't because it has a Nissan badge instead of an Infiniti badge,but rather because it lacks the sound track & feel of the LFA.Now to go check on that money tree in my back yard,lol! 
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    Brad
  • November 15, 2012
Finally!!!Speaking of sportier models in the Lexus stable...Kevin Hacket @ The National wrote an excellent review on the 2013 IS-F which is very positive!A refreshing take from previous IS-F reviews of earlier models! 
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    Alex Levi
  • November 16, 2012
LF-CC : Two Door Four Seater LF-LC : Two Door Two Seater Is that right? What about the LFA II? IS that taken into account if ever it comes or not? Also, I don't see how Lexus will disappear now that the new ones are coming: 918 Spyder, F70, P1. Though I would like some "small" sporty Lexus (2 doors, 2 seats) powered by a good engine (TC V6/NA V8), I doubt many would pay that money, when they can have BMW/Mercedes/Porsche. I think that niche will be filled by the Toyota Supra, which will focus on performance rather than premium.
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      Brad
    • November 16, 2012
    I'm down wit dat!

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