Jump to content
Create New...
  • William Maley
    William Maley

    Lexus Changes Their Hybrid Philosophy

    William Maley

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    May 18, 2012

    Lexus has a different philosophy on hybrids than their parent company, Toyota.

    Toyota has opted to use hybrids to deliver maximum fuel economy above all else (see the Prius). Lexus on the other hand uses hybrids as a way to provide performance of large engine, while delivering the fuel economy of a smaller engine. For example, the GS450h delivers performance equal to that of a V8, but gets V6 fuel economy. However, it seems Lexus is changing their mindset.

    Lexus ES and LS product planner Ketan Renade told AutoGuide that sales of the GS and LS hybrids have been extremely slow.

    “We did studies and focus groups and people said, ‘hybrid equals mpg’”, says Renade. “Cars with 400 and 500 HP are great, but no one is buying them.”

    Starting with the new ES300h, Lexus will put more of a mindset on fuel economy than performance. The ES300h uses a four-cylinder engine with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system to deliver 200 HP and 39 MPG combined.

    As for other Lexus hybrid models, Renade almost confirmed the next generation LS hybrid will go down the same route.

    “If we did a future hybrid Lexus LS, it would go V6 hybrid,” said Renade.

    Source: AutoGuide

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Lexus needs to realize that you have two types of customers.

    Those that can afford 50-100K auto's and will want the Hybrid Performance. That is a name plate I believe all auto makers should use.

    Then you have those that stretch to get into the 30-50K auto's and having a luxury name plate is desired, but they still count their pennies and these people are wanting the Hybrid = MPG. So it makes sense to have a 200h that is all about MPG and then have a 300H Performance that is all about the driving machine.

    I hope cadillac will kep this in mind when they bring out the ELR, it would be good to have an ELR base model with good, solid MPG and then move up to a ELR Performance Edition. :D

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    It is rather interesting that Lexus discovered what parent company Toyota created 12 years ago with the Prius. I wonder why anyone would want to buy a luxury hybrid. Seriously, the Pruis (or the upcoming C-Max) is all you really need in order to say, "I am green." What Lexus ought to focus on is stopping the uglification of their exteriors. The competition, especially Cadillac, is no longer sleeping at the wheel.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    MPG itself is a desirable attribute much like horsepower. Lexus hybrids should focus on having maximum efficiency while retaining adequate performance.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Lexus needs to realize that you have two types of customers.

    Those that can afford 50-100K auto's and will want the Hybrid Performance. That is a name plate I believe all auto makers should use.

    Then you have those that stretch to get into the 30-50K auto's and having a luxury name plate is desired, but they still count their pennies and these people are wanting the Hybrid = MPG. So it makes sense to have a 200h that is all about MPG and then have a 300H Performance that is all about the driving machine.

    I hope cadillac will kep this in mind when they bring out the ELR, it would be good to have an ELR base model with good, solid MPG and then move up to a ELR Performance Edition. :D

    Perhaps a 3rd customer, that would spend $50-100k on a high lux, high mpg hybrid. You know, rich eco enthusiasts, like half of hollywood.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Lexus needs to realize that you have two types of customers.

    Those that can afford 50-100K auto's and will want the Hybrid Performance. That is a name plate I believe all auto makers should use.

    Then you have those that stretch to get into the 30-50K auto's and having a luxury name plate is desired, but they still count their pennies and these people are wanting the Hybrid = MPG. So it makes sense to have a 200h that is all about MPG and then have a 300H Performance that is all about the driving machine.

    I hope cadillac will kep this in mind when they bring out the ELR, it would be good to have an ELR base model with good, solid MPG and then move up to a ELR Performance Edition. :D

    Perhaps a 3rd customer, that would spend $50-100k on a high lux, high mpg hybrid. You know, rich eco enthusiasts, like half of hollywood.

    Tesla Model S is sold out til the end of 2013.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    Lexus needs to realize that you have two types of customers.

    Those that can afford 50-100K auto's and will want the Hybrid Performance. That is a name plate I believe all auto makers should use.

    Then you have those that stretch to get into the 30-50K auto's and having a luxury name plate is desired, but they still count their pennies and these people are wanting the Hybrid = MPG. So it makes sense to have a 200h that is all about MPG and then have a 300H Performance that is all about the driving machine.

    I hope cadillac will kep this in mind when they bring out the ELR, it would be good to have an ELR base model with good, solid MPG and then move up to a ELR Performance Edition. :D

    Perhaps a 3rd customer, that would spend $50-100k on a high lux, high mpg hybrid. You know, rich eco enthusiasts, like half of hollywood.

    Tesla Model S is sold out til the end of 2013.

    There ya go.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites

    snapback.pngpow, on , said:

    snapback.pngPurdueGuy, on , said:

    snapback.pngdfelt, on , said:

    Lexus needs to realize that you have two types of customers.

    Those that can afford 50-100K auto's and will want the Hybrid Performance. That is a name plate I believe all auto makers should use.

    Then you have those that stretch to get into the 30-50K auto's and having a luxury name plate is desired, but they still count their pennies and these people are wanting the Hybrid = MPG. So it makes sense to have a 200h that is all about MPG and then have a 300H Performance that is all about the driving machine.

    I hope cadillac will kep this in mind when they bring out the ELR, it would be good to have an ELR base model with good, solid MPG and then move up to a ELR Performance Edition. :D

    Perhaps a 3rd customer, that would spend $50-100k on a high lux, high mpg hybrid. You know, rich eco enthusiasts, like half of hollywood.Tesla Model S is sold out til the end of 2013.

    There ya go.

    Or the Fisker Karma if you don't mind your garage maybe burning down.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites



    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • google-news-icon.png



  • google-news-icon.png

  • Subscribe to Cheers & Gears

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001 we've brought you real content and honest opinions, not AI-generated stuff with no feeling or opinions influenced by the manufacturers.

    Please consider subscribing. Subscriptions can be as little as $1.75 a month, and a paid subscription drops most ads.*
     

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • Interesting musical chairs I recently learned about. ITA Airways was recently acquired by Lufthansa. ITA, and preceding Alitalia, were in SkyTeam, headed up by Delta along with Air France and KLM.  ITA came across as an unwanted stepchild for the more fastidious French and Dutch.  SkyTeam is pricey, as are their award redemption tiers. With this transaction, ITA joins Star Alliance, headed up by United and with Lufthansa and Air Canada in the consortium.  I'm happy about this.  At least I am right now.
    • I don't feel religion is bad.  I have one.  It's the dogmatic "holier than thou" crowd - usually older ladies who go to socialize and gossip - that drives people away. Ukraine has the right to exist peacefully the way we've known it to be for some 30 to 40 years.  The death toll is harrowing, and it's hard to think about the children, elderly, and invalids they've killed or maimed.  And these instigators claim to believe in God.  Not.
    • Seems the crazy Stooges circus has begun. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/liz-cheney-referred-for-criminal-investigation/ar-AA1w2lHB?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=12 Crazy back n forth, I hope Ukraine can recover their land and kick Russia out. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/vladimir-putin-embarrassed-as-ukrainian-rout-causes-huge-russian-surrender/ar-AA1w0T5o?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=23 Next year is going to be one extremely large clown mess of attempted dictatorship wanna be attempts against our Constitution and I fear this is only the beginning as investment firms lock in profits and get out of companies, they do not feel can handle a downturn in a U.S. and or Global Economic recession. https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/dow-suffers-worst-losing-streak-in-nearly-50-years-this-stock-is-driving-index-down/ar-AA1w2wlh?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=34 This will hurt the GOP as folks assess their view of Conservative with the GOP party. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/record-slim-house-majority-faces-new-problems-as-gop-lawmaker-announces-exit-from-republican-conference/ar-AA1w2e2V?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=47 Good to see our judicial system stand up to the snake oil salesmen who think they can get away with various crimes. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/judge-merchan-just-put-leash-on-trump-during-presidency-legal-analyst/ar-AA1w2qhi?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=67 This brings up a good question for all here, do you like Standard Time or Daylight Savings time? If you are like me and not wanting to deal with flipping back and forth on time twice a year, which time do you want? https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-says-he-ll-end-daylight-saving-time-here-are-the-winners-and-losers-if-he-does/ar-AA1w1Obc?ocid=BingHp01&cvid=f2884bd4f8b34ba2f527fff1fded1ac6&ei=78 So here is how states have voted to make one or the other permanent and do away with the flip back and forth. I do find it interesting that Ford is still filing patents on EV technology even though they have pulled back and have not really planned to move forward with 800v platform. Ford's Latest Patent Could Revolutionize EV Charging Crazy the lease deals you can get on an EV. As expected another ICE only, death to EV writer finally, actually got behind a wheel and found that the EVs are way better than ICE and even states that his next auto will be an EV now that he has actually driven one and tested it. Interesting read, his few dislikes is more of him needing to choose the display preference. I like mine in Dark mode, but the wife likes hers in light mode. So it is totally customizable. I drove an EV for the first time Have to say, I am hearing more and more from coworkers who were a never EV mind set, have actually test drove and ended up buying an EV. I think the tipping point is here where variety of EV choices are going to only make this more and more common. I suspect the Kia EV3 next year will be a huge deal for them as will the Chevrolet BOLT coming back into the market. Two SUVs that are below $30,000 will attract many new auto buyers.
    • @oldshurst442 Thank you for the laugh, I needed it today. Much appreciated the post you did.
  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online
  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search