Three-Row Crossover a Top Priority for Lexus

[Och]

If Lexus built an SUV with a PROPER third row, as in a minivan, it would be the first of kind and could have huge potential.

 

[Brooks2IS]

Forgot to mention this earlier, but there is a HUGE price difference between the LX and GX. Essentially, you can buy two base GX's for the price of a loaded LX. I don't think the argument "if you want a BOF SUV, buy an LX" really applies with that price difference. Infiniti gets around this issue by pricing their huge BOF SUV quite low, but Lexus just can't do that... not with a Land Cruiser also around. Tricky marketing going on. Glad I don't have to make the decision, though I know what I personally would want.

 

[PTien]

OK...from that viewpoint, I see what you are saying. Usually, more sales are good for the brand, but there may be some exceptions.

Ultimately Dealers are in business to make money. They do this by selling cars (+ service and parts but they need sell cars to sell service and parts). It the responsibility of the manufacturer to balance the needs of the Dealers (making money) and the overall brand health (long term sales).

Its a fine balance and I think Lexus made the correct decision to release the RC for the sake of the overall Brand. But on the other hand I think there was a missed opportunity to release a 3 row variant with the new RX. I mean they were developing a new platform and vehicle anyway, they could have added 3rd row into the design needs.

I don't think Lexus Dealers will have any issues selling the RX but there was an opportunity to conquest from other brands with a 3rd row variant was available.

Just my 2 cents

 

[CIF]

Ultimately Dealers are in business to make money. They do this by selling cars (+ service and parts but they need sell cars to sell service and parts). It the responsibility of the manufacturer to balance the needs of the Dealers (making money) and the overall brand health (long term sales).

Its a fine balance and I think Lexus made the correct decision to release the RC for the sake of the overall Brand. But on the other hand I think there was a missed opportunity to release a 3 row variant with the new RX. I mean they were developing a new platform and vehicle anyway, they could have added 3rd row into the design needs.

I don't think Lexus Dealers will have any issues selling the RX but there was an opportunity to conquest from other brands with a 3rd row variant was available.

Just my 2 cents

That makes sense...unless Lexus all along has been planning a separate 3-row model, so as not to dilute the aim and market of the RX.