Is Lexus Planning to Develop a Mid-Size Truck?

Posted by Kevin on December 2nd, 2015

According to a Motoring Australia interview with Lexus product planning manager Makoto Tanaka, the brand is currently evaluating the addition of a truck to the lineup:

“It’s one of the study items so far we’re looking at,” [Tanaka] said via an interpreter.

Tanaka cautioned that the ute was “the least possible” of the vehicles Lexus is currently studying, which include a seven-seat RX and a compact SUV, but his confirmation that a ute is under consideration is significant.

Tanaka-san admits the priority is “very low” for a Lexus ute – at present – but with established European brands such as Renault and Fiat also joining the ute segment, it’s clear the segment is appealing to an increasing number of unlikely car-makers.

Lexus arguably has the most functional SUV lineup of all luxury brands with the GX and LX, and the idea of bringing a truck into the mix is intriguing. Developing a Lexus-level truck would be a tall order, but Mercedes has committed to entering the truck market with the mid-size GLT and it’s a segment ripe for some disruption.

What do you think — should Lexus build a truck?

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Comments
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    Lexus Cohen
  • December 2, 2015
It would probably be based on the Toyota Hilux that's not sold in the U.S. I say no, they should focus more on a convertible RC and more F models.
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    De Faulk
  • December 2, 2015
Definitely Yes.
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    mmcartalk
  • December 2, 2015
The question of luxury-brand pickups (and experimentation on the part of automakers) has been brought up before. In general, the results have not been promising. Lincoln tried a Blackwood model, based on the Ford F-150, that had (of all things) rare polished African wood used for its bed, of all places. Almost nobody is going to buy a pickup like that for any truly functional use.....and indeed, only about 1100 or so of them ended up being made. Then Lincoln tried something else.......the Mark LT, a later version of the F-150, with more conventional Lincoln-style trim on it, and a bed that was actually usable and made some sense. Still very low sales....and a cancellation. Cadillac tried with the Escalade EXT...an upmarket Chevy Avalanche, based on the Silverado platform, with a trick multi-use bed that expanded with a drop-down rear partition behind the cabin. This one was a little more successful than the two Lincoln attempts, and remained in production from 2002 to 2013, though sales were never very impressive, and eventually tanked. I could be wrong, but I see little reason to believe that Lexus would have any more success than Cadillac or Lincoln did with this type of vehicle.
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    BOSS
  • December 3, 2015
As crazy as it sounds....that looks pretty nice actually LOL.
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    Tinhinnh
  • December 3, 2015
I think a luxury van would be more sell-able than a luxo truck.
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No.
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    GSCT
  • December 3, 2015
A truck?  Then what - a tractor?  Please no!
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    DDas
  • December 3, 2015
Lexus should not make a truck. Leave that to Toyota please.
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    Tinhinnh
  • December 3, 2015
Some full size trucks can reach upward of $60K already, I dont think we need mfgs making luxury trucks.
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    Meth Jayasekera
  • December 3, 2015
I really think that Lexus should make it. Mercedes has a habit of making the new luxury classes it creates popular, so if Lexus gets into the game before anybody or at least everybody except for BMW, Audi, etc. it would be pretty good. On the other hand, Lexus needs to create more F models, a CT F to compete with the A 45 AMG, a redesigned IS F, to compete with the M3, C63 AMG s, and ATS-V. An LS F to compete with the S 63 AMG, S8 and Alpina B7. Also RX, NX and LX F to compete with all the high performance SUVs and Crossovers on the market. I also doubt that sales would be high for the pickup, so I would go with more F models. Motoring Australia loves to interview Lexus, so they should really ask if they are planning on new F models.
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    Matrix27
  • December 3, 2015
Lexus should skip the big trucks and leave that for Caddy and the others. Luxury and truck is like mixing oil and water. Lexus does not have follow Mercedes or BMW every whim, Lexus didn't  launch a sub 30k vehicle, it's cheapens the brand, a truck would do the same, leave it to Toyota, besides Toyota makes some pretty upscale vehicles, Avalon and the Camry are now "near" luxury cars. Add the bells and whistles to the Tundra, scale that vehicle upwards.

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