@CRSKTN , and getting this production to Takaoka II factory (see this:
https://www.thedrive.com/tech/26955...ka-2-line-the-most-flexible-line-in-the-world )would easily solve any fluctuations from producing more of one or the other.
I'm now building a canon in my head where Toyota, back with the original LS were so upset by the amount of attention they got (due to it being not humble, and very braggadocios to get so much positive attention. Un-japanese even.), that they have been intentionally knee capping themselves ever since.
Intentionally drawing out product life-cycles, re-using decade old engines and infotainment. Heck, even with the LFA they decided to take steps to the make the vehicle so expensive that people would write it off initially, only to be later appreciated for the masterpiece it was!
Then you have the humble, generous decision to base the RC on a convertible mid-section adding weight, and then not release the convertible because they decided to do the RX-L instead, in response to the dealer network in the states. Very thoughtful, though obviously they could not develop and release both, for they were not the world's largest auto group, that day. Fortunately, the RX-L was not to be long lived, so at least it was all for nothing.
Obviously the next thing to do is follow it up with a long line of highly-successful milque-toast mass market entry-level models from
Automotive Giant Toyota's smaller-scale Luxury division Lexus.
Unfortunately, hubris took Lexus and they created the LC, regrettably attracting a great deal of positive attention once again. A successful luke-warm reception to the new LS after a successful decade long foot-dragging campaign had made them confident, even arrogant, in their ability to execute beautifully, exactly after they needed to, or not at all.
Luckily, they had also been releasing a series of not-for-market concepts, and multimillion dollar yachts and jet concepts, helping to muddy the waters on who exactly Lexus is for. Then all they had to do was masterfully lead a highly convincing campaign of high performance mules for the LS and LC over the span of years, creating bespoke twin turbo engines, suspension and aero systems to make sure they could accurately deceive photographers into thinking new vehicles like the LC F were coming. These amateur photographers didn't know who they were dealing with.
"We can release best-selling vehicles that nobody remembers! And there will be rumors! Good god will there be rumors! We have to get expectations as high as possible!" - Anonymous Lexus insider on audio tape.
Now, fortunately there is a tag team effort with parent company Toyota chipping in with landmark campaigns such as:
- Developing and proudly boasting about highly modular and world leading operations and factories that aren't actually modular
- Efficiency serves the purpose of building a financially healthy company, which can then act like a company on the verge of bankruptcy with regards to investment in Lexus. Thankfully, this additionally disappoints a wider market including financial analysts, broadening the company's reach.
- The inspired move to make the new Supra based on a BMW Z4.
- Akio Toyoda building 2 custom GRMN Toyota Centuries, and they'll never be available.
- Rebadging a Toyota minivan into a quarter million dollar Lexus minivan, ensuring that only marginal differences beyond materials are employed. Also definitely only available in 1 market, but internationally shouted about.
- Releasing a BEV, but only in China and Europe, and in their entry level model on a compromised platform
- Putting high-demand functionality like android auto and carplay into Toyota vehicles before Lexus models
Just a short intermission to remind you of the Aston Martin Cygnet, which you could only reasonably buy if you already had another Aston Martin (or waited forever). Toyota were sure not to offer an interesting Lexus model, instead sticking with the iQ for Toyota.
Now, with the LC Convertible successfully delayed again, after unfortunately fetching a huge price on auction for the first one, Lexus is poised to complete their magnum opus.
Started in the deep skunk works of TMC, they began a new project, dedicated to creating the ultimate letdown.
They called it: Project Aristo.
Over the next thirty years, TMC and Lexus would work together to lay the ground work for the Lexus GS. Decades of pulled punches and hard work later, they were on the cusp of it. They had culminated a strong base of fans, and a compelling vehicle that could grow into a number of niches as the lineup changed. They had even gone to the unbelievable lengths of releasing a high performance model, though being careful not to make it truly advantageous over competitors beyond incredible handling (mistakes were made).
Now, with the hype reaching maximum, fans on edge, and after a series of amazing concepts and being let down with the new LS, Lexus made preparations for their final move:
"We're going to kill the model. We are going to say it's not economically viable, or that there isn't a demand for it. Then we are going to butcher it into a hack job Toyota instead, largely keeping the design so that Lexus fans and auto enthusiasts alike don't miss what we did. It's going to be really, really blatant. Then we will say that because we underinvested, we underperformed, so we are reducing investment further in hopes of addressing this."
The charge was set, and everything was primed to go.
Akio Toyoda checks his inbox. His people had just sent him the ultimate decision on what the best final step would be. He had hoped they would live up to expectations, and not let him down.
"
It's going to be the new Mirai."
A subtle smile crosses his face... Brilliant, a vehicle so unreasonable to own, that not even Toyota fans could enjoy it.
And with that
Lexus Great Sadness will finally be achieved, and Akio Toyoda's ancestors will finally be free to rest for another 100 years after gorging on our suffering .
This time would make the 1929
loom worker harvest "sale to a british company to fund vehicle development" look like appetizers. The first known example of a "full transfer of all employees out of japan and to Britain, although unfortunately they will be untraceable."
They have been breaking ground with corporate landmarks for 90 years with projects like what they call "Aristo", or "The Aristocrats" internally.
/i am going *** crazy
