Re: Driven: The Lexus Range (ES 300h, RX 450h & LX 450d) Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR Didn't get what this point is about though! What experience are you mentioning? |
Allow me to share my thoughts which possibly apply to many other buyers. For me when buying a car, especially an expensive one, the first important criteria is that I am not buying a physical product but a composite service for 10 years.
The physical product + consistent after sales service + associated attitude all need to be of a fully acceptable high standard. The story is not just of the car.
Through my buying process of the ES300h both Toyota Kirloskar and the local Lexus dealer addressed my many questions via email or personal meetings -about 40 emails and 4 meetings at my residence. My letters to the Toyota Kirloskar Managing Director were replied to promptly by him personally as were questions to the Lexus Gurgaon dealer-owner. All this left a very positive impression on me that Lexus as a brand are not shy of engaging intimately with the customer and do not hide behind the dealer's sales officer and manager. This is the first time I have spent so much money on a car. Money that, like with many BHPians, has been earned with some effort over a lifetime. And I expect that the senior management of the OEM be willing to engage with the customer with finesse and respect.
The buying experience has been a 9.9 on 10. From the dealer-owner to the GM to the sales manager they could not have been more attentive, patient and courteous. And they continue to keep in touch. They make you feel you are important to Lexus and the feel good factor can get addictive! In this area of human interface Toyota-Lexus are a mile ahead of Mercedes' non-communicativeness and Audi's bombardment by SMS (I had evaluated the E- LWB as a contender so speak from direct recent experience). When a customer purchases an expensive asset he expects from the OEM & dealer courtesy, accessibility, finesse and a willingness to spend time through first the decision process, second the actual buying and after that as the car settles in. Here Lexus has touched a happy chord sadly missing in some other OEMs.
I have not reached the point where the car needs servicing but if my experience with our office Camry is anything to judge by it will be first class. Quote:
Originally Posted by Vid6639 Lexus as a brand is one which will not fail and Toyota will make sure of that.
They don't need volumes. They are playing safe with CBU and not aggressive in going for volumes. They are going for exclusive and it's the right way to go. Also, they are pampering the customers with an experience that the big 3 are nowhere near.
And the CVT is not a standard CVT, it's one of the most complex hybrid CVT units you can get. |
Thank you for your balanced perspective and inputs. Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR Taking the ES300H for example - the below pics were taken from the official review, cropped to highlight some of the points I found shocking, considering the 68L onroad price point.
The above examples like exposed screw on the dashboard, utilitarian looking buttons all around, and even multiple dummy buttons across the cabin - |
You are right to point these out. They are facts. Toyota should do better. The rear centre rest buttons look out of a Contessa! Nevertheless allow me to say that one bolt and two button covers do not make a car that needs to last a decade and maybe 2 lakh kms. While the critic may feel strongly the actual buyer is likely to take a more holistic view. After all the latest E class, which is a beautiful powerful car, has artificial leather (or something to that effect) and disco lights (to quote my elderly aunt) and yet customers will buy it for a lot more than just that and rightfully so. |