Large Luxury SUV Feb '15 Sales/ USA

[Hothonda]

Somewhat surprised the Land Cruiser is such a slow seller. My '15 is my 4th LC
(3 new 100's previously from 1998).

Test drove most of the competitors.

Almost $10K off MSRP helped, but understated presence & past experience mostly.

http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2015/03/usa-large-luxury-suv-sales-figures-february-2015-ytd.html

 

[T4Runner]

I don't know what's worse, the ridiculously low 200 series sales numbers or the ridiculously high Escalade sales -- that and the number of times people have asked me in the one month of ownership re: my new LC: "what is that?" It leaves me with little faith in humanity (or at least licensed drivers)...

I was recently watching old reviews of LCs from the 80's-00's on YouTube and it was almost like they could have edited in footage of the current gen and used the same review. I wonder what the LC sales numbers were back in those days.

 

[Hothonda]

Speaking of videos (sorry if this a repost)..... couple minute muddy 200 workout!

 

[OrangeTJ]

I have no facts to support this but I suspect the reason the Cadillac sells so well and the Toyota does not is precisely the "understated" nature of the Toyota. The reality that many people confuse the LC with the Highlander pretty much means only those "in the know" are aware of how truly awesome the LC is. Conversely, the Cadillac is the king of bling and is instantly recognizable as some kind of status symbol. It doesn't hurt that they are actually quite luxurious, so the buyer who wants to be seen but also wants luxury is pretty well attracted to such a thing. On top of that, I don't think many people immediately think Toyota when they are considering spending $70 - $80K on a new vehicle.

 

[cc1999]

Well, on the bright side, looks like the LC has consistently sold twice as many in 2013,14,15 compared to same months in 2010,11,12.

One of the things I realy love about the LCs is tha they are truly first class rides, descised as a common toyota.

One of the shocking things I found really interesting in that report, was that the G wagon out sold the LC. I always thought G- wagons were even more rare then the LCs, guess not.

 

[r3run33]

ok first please NO one here start hating but toyota needs to WAKE UP! I was just at our city auto show because my sister and uncle (both lease vehicles all the time) are in need of new ones. She is currently driving a RX and is looking at a new NX; and I have to say they are doing a good job on the interior trim of that vehicle. My uncle is a Mopar man and I still don't understand this but his charger is constantly breaking down but still is going with a Jeep or a GMC.

Now back to my rant!! the Land Cruiser is WAY to plastic to compete with these vehicles in price! I would bet anyone here $100 bucks if Toyota had a nice interior in the Land Cruiser (double stitch leather and All dash/door/center stack all covered with leather) it would tripe sales!! If you break it down; it all comes down to money! With incentives and all; these vehicles are either close or below our price of Land Cruiser; and when you basically sit your butt down into the vehicle the interior is the biggest part!

 

[lizardking100]

The qualities that make the LC superior are mostly beneath the surface.

GM products don't appeal to me on any level. If I'm forced to have poor build quality and lackluster resale, I go German where at least it looks and drives nice. For my entire life, the narrative of Chrysler and GM has been "Watch out America, we're in the midst of a bold renaissance and this time we mean it." All these years and America still loves the rotten smell of Iaccoca's flatulence.

 

[arich]

Does anyone know what the import tax is in a Land Cruiser to the U.S. Think it's called Chicken tax.
with the LC and Tundra sharing so many parts you'd think they'd be much closer in price.

 

[INTP]

The qualities that make the LC superior are mostly beneath the surface.

GM products don't appeal to me on any level. If I'm forced to have poor build quality and lackluster resale, I go German where at least it looks and drives nice. For my entire life, the narrative of Chrysler and GM has been "Watch out America, we're in the midst of a bold renaissance and this time we mean it." All these years and America still loves the rotten smell of Iaccoca's flatulence.

This is like being a Washington Redskins fan. Every summer all people can talk about is how they have "fill in the blank" and this will be the year they go to the playoffs.

 

[kreiten]

Does anyone know what the import tax is in a Land Cruiser to the U.S. Think it's called Chicken tax.
with the LC and Tundra sharing so many parts you'd think they'd be much closer in price.

I believe(someone correct me if I'm wrong please) "The Chicken Tax" only applies to pickup trucks, not SUV's. This is why Suburu put seats in the back of the brat in the 80's to get around the tax for a bit. Toyota also use to build the bed for their trucks in California(I believe this got them around the tax for a bit) Long story somewhat short, only applies to pickup trucks built outside the US(So far as I understand the tax) And just incase your wondering why they call it "The Chicken Tax", it was in response to the Europeans taxing US chicken so highly!

 

[kreiten]

Does anyone know what the import tax is in a Land Cruiser to the U.S. Think it's called Chicken tax.
with the LC and Tundra sharing so many parts you'd think they'd be much closer in price.

I thought the same thing at first about sharing so many parts with the Tundra, but then if you really start to think about it they only really share the engine and some misc suspension parts, pluse the LC has so many extra's that just start to add up piece by piece. A loaded Tundra is in the ballpark of 50k(ish) Then you start to add up all the seats in the Cruiser(3 rows), things like KDSS(not an option on the Tundra) Crawl Mode, Radar Cruiser control, offroad turn assist, headlight washers, Fridge, rear seat entertainment, Camera's all the way around, roof rack, that fancy heater thingie, more airbags, more speakers, overall build quality etc etc etc... not saying all of these things are needed or that I'm a huge fan of all of the above listed items, but they all cost cash money! just my 2 cents, or 70k))

 

[T4Runner]

Don't get me wrong, the LC is far from an econobox, but I still don't think of it as a "luxury" SUV. It always gets lumped in with the other lux's because of price, but it really shouldn't. It is in a class of its own -- I say this not out of bias, but practically speaking there's nothing else like it.

 

[JamesC]

I think Steyr's G-Wagen to G-klasse conversion is what would happen if we over luxed the LC. Our US 200 is in some weird middle ground and I'd prefer more utility. Perhaps they could bifurcate the platform - one to LUX for marketing and one to Utility for reputation.

A new post-makeover audience will love it's status and the old audience won't have to lament pleated leather traded for build quality (post 2002 G).

 

[T4Runner]

I said it in another post but I'd be happy if Toyota would just let us special order the LCs in a "heritage" or "Burger King" (ie "have it your way) version like we want (if so, I'd go with Amazon Green, rear e-locker, aux fuel tank, bull bar, rear mount tire, delete faux wood, delete moon roof and roof rack, delete 3rd row; don't care about the leather but I am genjoying the ass warmers/ass blowers on mine more than I ever thought I would, so not sure if I'd go with cloth if it meant giving those up). Then they could continue to doll up the LX's for those who want the frills and/or offer a "bespoke" version for those who want to match their LC to their cummerbunds...

If not, Toyota could also offer blue and white color variants like they do elsewhere.

 

[MScruiser]

Word.

I'd love cloth seats, OE Bull Bar, e-lockers, tire carrier, and an OE aux tank.

 

[Hothonda]

Word.

I'd love cloth seats, OE Bull Bar, e-lockers, tire carrier, and an OE aux tank.

+ diesel motor.

 

[r3run33]

Yes all of you have the correct point which is what I was trying to point out; that in this price range the Land Cruiser and even the LX can't compete with the "luxury" suv. Either take the price down or boost the interior to match the others in the market! Now to contradict my statement my also have a 2006 LX and it has all the bells and whistles that a brand new Honda is pushing for 2015. (Bluetooth/back up camera etc etc) so whatever. Just get rid or the plastic

 

[White Stripe]

I think the interior could be ramped up, but also the exterior does not impress what so ever. Its too cookie cutter suv looking. I noticed the infiniti is outselling the LX, I have sat in the QX-and all I can say is Wow. In 3 years the seats will be torn, but it looks much nicer inside. I agree with your comments. I just don't think Toyota is in touch with the market in this regard.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Personally, I think that while the LC is conservative and doesn't stand out, that's a good thing to me. I find the Cadillac to be obnoxious and the Infinity to be just gawdawfulugly. Maybe I am in the minority, but I really find the LC to be very nice looking inside and to be as comfortable as any vehicle I've ever driven. It isn't completely wrapped in leather and yes there is some plastic, but it feels like a vehicle that will actually last and won't require constant leather conditioning on a sun-baked dashboard. In other words, it still has at least a measure of the "utility" side of the equation. I agree that at full list it is very expensive, but who actually pays full MSRP for these? Conversely, the LR4 we considered had a lower MSRP but there was absolutely no willingness on the part of the dealer to come down. Accordingly, similarly equipped, the LC we bought was essentially the same price as an LR4. A Range Rover, with no 3rd row (non-starter for us), would have been 15-20K more than our LC. Factor in the reliability and durability of the Toyota, that it was quieter, more powerful, could tow more and rode nicer and it was really a no brainer from my perspective.

 

[SWUtah]

Buy used!! Bought my $90k LX570 for $52k with 29k miles on it still has warranty (late 2011 build). Perfect condition Lexus maintained with dealer 5k mile oil/filter changes. It's a 200 series, quality/dependablity. Will still be running strong when the others are in the junk yard and it won't cost a fortune to maintain. How what can you buy new for $50k that can come close???