Toyota concerned about aging owner base for Lexus (2024)

Lexus does not appear to be attracting younger buyers, something that probably worries its owner Toyota. Research says the average Lexus owner is 56 years of age, almost as old as the average Buick buyer!

Aug 31, 2009 at 9:12am ET

Lexus is in danger of becoming another Buick, a brand known and bought for being quiet, safe, reliable and comfortable. And that's about it. According to research done by IHS Global Insight, Lexus buyers are looking at the same things as Buick buyers.

"Lexuses are dolled-up Toyota appliances," said Rebecca Lindland of IHS Global Insight. "They're built for reliability and dependability, not to generate excitement."

That means attributes like driving excitement and design quality are not top priority when customers go car shopping. Worse still the average Lexus owner is 56 years-old. Comparatively the average Buick buyer is approaches 70 years of age.

"Lexus is Buick in training," said Lindland. "Lexus made its name with baby boomers. They're aging, and the average age of Lexus owners is increasing with them. Lexus hasn't been able to supplement the baby boomers' loyalty with younger buyers. They've tried with vehicles like the IS sport sedan, but they haven't been able to penetrate younger buyers."

The Japanese premium car maker may be recognising this disturbing trend, hence the recently teased Audi A3/ BMW 1 Series competitor. There are also other segments dominated by youth in which it does not play.

"Part of the problem is that Lexus doesn't have a good entry crossover SUV like the BMW X3 and Audi Q5," Lindland said. The RX 350 -- Lexus' best-selling vehicle by a wide margin -- is about the same size as those vehicles, "but it's seen as a mom-mobile, darned near a minivan," she said. "You expect it to be driven by a woman with children.

Given that the SUV is the top seller for Lexus should raise eyebrows in a market dominated by cars like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Additionally, it does not seem the introduction of two new vehicles, the IS sedan and even more powerful IS-F has not helped the company to challenged its segment rivals despite critical acclaim.

Hope bears down on the HS 250h hybrid which is due to launch this fall. A serious victory will be claimed if the premium hybrid can generate half the excitement as the Toyota Prius hybrid. However, with an EPA rating of 35 mpg compared to the Prius' 51 mpg, it's already got one strike against it.

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Toyota concerned about aging owner base for Lexus (2024)

FAQs

What is the average age of a Lexus owner? ›

Research says the average Lexus owner is 56 years of age, almost as old as the average Buick buyer! Lexus is in danger of becoming another Buick, a brand known and bought for being quiet, safe, reliable and comfortable.

Is Lexus just a glorified Toyota? ›

Lexus cars are glorified Toyotas, but is that a bad thing? Well, no, it isn't. Toyota's are well known as some of the most reliable and dependable vehicles out there. If you look after a Toyota (which means getting it serviced on time) then you can be sure it will look after you for years to come.

What age group buys Lexus? ›

Lexus, with the second-oldest customer (age 53, on average) among the 4 brands, also increased its percentage of buyers younger than 56 years old this year — 56.8 percent vs. 54.5 percent a year ago.

Is a Lexus basically a Toyota? ›

Yes, the Lexus brand is owned by the Toyota Motor Corporation, which is headquartered in Japan. In many ways, however, the luxury vehicle brand operates independently from the Toyota Motor Corporation. Explore how Lexus came to be, and where the manufacturing of quality parts and vehicles takes place.

What type of person buys a Lexus? ›

Lexus is not only a luxury choice; it is also a choice for people who understand the long-term value of luxury. Discerning luxury car buyers choose Lexus for the sense of opulence, and a spirited smooth drive, that comes from our core values of Omotenashi and monozukuri.

Is Lexus an old person's car? ›

This was my initial guess for the stereotypical new car for old folks, for good reason. The Lexus RX is a beautifully refined vehicle that prioritizes comfort over sportiness, has a spacious five passenger interior, has legendary Lexus reliability and safety on its side, and is a solid value for the money.

Are Lexus engines better than Toyota? ›

It's also interesting to see that Lexus cars generally come with a bit more power than their Toyota counterparts – rather than using it for fast acceleration times, the extra poke can mean you won't have to put your foot down so hard, helping you save fuel and have a smoother ride.

What is the best Lexus for seniors? ›

2024 Lexus ES Hybrid

Lexus vehicles are known for having a cushy ride, and that trait is prized among many seniors. The ES Hybrid is a luxury midsize car with a fuel-efficient gas-electric powertrain; it returns 43 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.

Is Lexus overpriced Toyota? ›

TOYOTA PRICES VS LEXUS PRICES

The Lexus brand pricetag starts higher than a Toyota, but it is a luxury value package worthy of the cost. For that matter, it's possible to pay more for a Toyota if you are trying to get the luxuries mostly reserved for the Lexus lineup. Here are some examples of Toyota and Lexus prices.

Who is the target market for Lexus? ›

Within the market Lexus Corporation has attempted to target those seeking luxury, quality and safety standards beyond an ordinary automobile. Lexus touts on their ability to offer an exceptional product combined with exceptional safety and relative affordability to the upper-crust of the consumer market.

Who puts out Lexus cars? ›

Toyota does own the Lexus lineup of Lexus car models and SUVs, but the two brands operate independently with headquarters in separate cities. Toyota is headquartered in Toyota City, while Lexus remains in Nagoya.

Does Lexus last as long as Toyota? ›

Performance. When it comes to reliability, there's no notable difference between Lexus and Toyota. With proper maintenance, vehicles from both brands are expected to last a long time without needing frequent repairs. This is partly because they share certain engines across different models.

Which is better, Lexus or BMW? ›

Not only is Lexus a more dependable brand, but its average annual maintenance costs are also lower than BMW's. On average, Lexus owners report spending approximately $550 per year on maintenance. Comparatively, BMW owners report spending an average of $1,000 to $1,700 per year to maintain their vehicle.

Which is better, Mercedes or Lexus? ›

On the whole, Mercedes-Benz models offer higher performance capabilities, unique interior features as standard, and greater efficiency than Lexus models. We compare the two brands side by side for Rancho Cucamonga drivers below to show them why Mercedes-Benz is truly a one-of-a-kind brand.

How long do people keep a Lexus? ›

With proper maintenance, a Lexus car last around 250,000-300,000 miles. So, it indicates that the car can easily last for around 17-20 years. The normal lifespan of a car is around 150,000-200,000 miles. So, buying a Lexus car can be a very good investment.

How old is the average luxury car owner? ›

Individuals in this segment most likely live in wealthy suburban areas with manicured lawns and expensive homes. They have luxury vehicles and vacation in tropical locales. They are between 35-54 years of age, with children, graduate degrees, and professional careers.

How long do Lexus owners keep their cars? ›

In general, cars from this luxury brand can easily last 250,000 to 300,000 miles. While cars from other brands can last for around 150,000 miles, a Lexus can double that estimation and allows drivers to push the absolute limit of the vehicle's longevity before a replacement is necessary.

What are the demographics of Lexus customers? ›

Who's buying Lexus? The profile of a typical buyer shows a male-skew, an average buyer age bracket of 35-49 – though the company's small UX and NX SUVs are luring more younger female buyers, the company claims – with “traditional views” of home, work and society.

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