I hope Lexus builds a F version of every model, like Mercedes does with AMG. It will build a brand following, loyalty and excitement of the brand. Mercedes has had great success with it and also M with BMW's. The 43 and 45 models are not real AMG cars in my opinion but it piggy backs on the name to sell more cars and appeal to those who want the AMG name but can't afford it or not willing to pay for it. But it's great marketing to sell more cars at better profit levels.
Having only 2 F cars and one on the way just is not enough to have brand recognition. By having a F Version of our slowest selling vehicles, Lexus will not appeal to may of its guests. Have a F version of our most popular products like the RX and NX! Wouldn't that make more sense and appeal to a greater audience?
I've owned 7 Mercedes car, 6 being AMG models and loved driving every single one. But hated owning every single one due to cost of maintenance and depreciation. Same can be said with my Porsche 911 Turbo and a few Range Rover Supercharged I've owned. Currently on my 12th and 13th Lexus cars, one being a Yellow LC500. What Lexus did 30 years ago to the luxury market by bringing better, less expensive luxury cars, with more reliability and more value, Lexus can do it again and change the Performance Luxury market. Better, more reliable, less cost to maintain, more value. All it needs is Brand Recognition. Ask anyone who's owned an AMG car if they would like more reliability and less cost of ownership. I don't care how rich they are, they will jump at it. BUT, still buy a Mbenz over a Lexus just because of the status of Benz ownership. Lexus has always been about the best products and value. But if we had the same name brand status of some of the German products, we can still have the best products but the value equation will go through the roof! Having more F models of realistic cars that many can own (I'm looking at you LFA!), Lexus will boost its Performance image and hopefully lose some of its Soccer Mom image.
BTW, I do love the fact that Lexus produced the LFA to show that it can be done and scream Profits be Damned! That took guts and showed they really can do anything they put their mind to it. Maybe Toyota should create another brand, a Hyper Luxury Sport brand to compete with Ferrari, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston and so forth. It will change that market like Lexus did 30 years ago. That will get you street creds!
Just my 2cents.
Oh BTW again, I am selling a 2011 MB SL63 AMG with only 36k miles on it. Just had $4k in services done.
