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" /> Should Lexus Build an Ultra Luxury Van for Asia? – Lexus Enthusiast | Lexus Enthusiast

Should Lexus Build an Ultra Luxury Van for Asia?


Hans Greimel from Automotive News reports on an unusual rumor — Lexus dealers in Asia want Lexus to build a one-box van:

The reasoning: Today’s chauffer-driven executive, politician or other high roller finds the cramped rear seats of the Lexus LS, the brand’s flagship, or the Toyota Century, the staid old-school V-12 limousine usually spotted outside four-star restaurants, too confining.

They need their vehicles to be mobile office spaces, impromptu meeting rooms, executive committee shuttle buses and emergency catnap and clothes-changing venues. And they need to do it in style.

“If I go out to dinner with four people, I can’t take my chauffeured LS,” the dealer complains. Instead, he takes his Toyota Alphard van, with decidedly less panache. “There is space to change my clothes, and I can go to a funeral and a wedding in the same day.”

Vans are one of the most popular vehicle segments in Japan (and other parts of Asia) because of their utility and comfort, two characteristics of the original RX when it was introduced in 1999 — however, the idea of a van runs counter to the current Lexus focus on performance & design, and seems unlikely at best.

It’s really no surprise that the article closes out with this quote:

Asked how Lexus executives responded to the van overture, the dealer said: “They don’t want it.”

(Note: The image above is a Wald International body kit for the Toyota Vellfire.)

Read the full article on Automotive News

East AsiaJapanRumors
Comments
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Why not something you can compare it to the (Mercedes Viano) :D I'm SURE Lexus can do BETTER then the VIANO :p
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  • C
  • March 12, 2014
Lexy does not need this. The parent company can take their current #1 Van in Japan and PIMP the hell out of it.
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    Сафиуллина-Мохамед Ибрагимов
  • March 12, 2014
no way lexus starting to go upper to maserati / porsche category/ why they will down themselves again this is just toyota supreme category in all Asia
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    Levi
  • March 12, 2014
They can IMO just create a new Toyota "sub-brand", "Mark X".
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      Onelog
    • March 14, 2014
    Mark X? Sub-brands are cool and all, but I think that name should be left to Lincoln.
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    BlackDynamiteOnline
  • March 13, 2014
Uhhhh......as long as it doesn't look like that hot mess! BD
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    LEXICON
  • March 13, 2014
I have a request LEXUS... I LOVE the TUNDRA, close to luxury as it gets for a truck. Would it not be awesome if LEXUS were the 1st luxury brand to come out with a full size pick-up? DO IT!!!
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    Lexi
  • March 13, 2014
I would buy a luxury van from Lexus. ala Bentley SUV leather interior... not a dress up Toyota Sienna!
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    M.M
  • March 13, 2014
lexus should create a maybach competitor which should be a unique design (nothing like the LS) and have it produced in limited numbers.
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      Сафиуллина-Мохамед Ибрагимов
    • March 13, 2014
    this should be only the Century or Toyota should buy any british maker a maybach competitor from Lexus is so bad now on them while now they are trying to build sport lux. image
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      Alex Wilson
    • March 19, 2014
    That makes perfect sense you know with Maybach still being around and all.
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    Onelog
  • March 14, 2014
hah, not if it has an awkward grill leftover from the HS on there!
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    Alex Wilson
  • March 19, 2014
It's true. These vans are everywhere. I was at Marina Bay Sands this week and there were Toyota Vans and S Classes EVERYWHERE.

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