The Lexus LFA’s Lack of Commercial Success
The Lexus LFA, despite being a remarkable engineering feat, faced challenges in achieving commercial success. Several factors contributed to its lackluster sales performance:
Limited Production and Marketing Strategy:
The LFA was produced in limited numbers, with only 500 units planned for production. Lexus allocated specific numbers of LFAs to different worldwide regions, which may have impacted the availability and visibility of the car in certain markets.
Challenges in Garnering Media Attention:
As the first supercar for Lexus, the LFA was intended to shift the perception of Lexus as a mainstream luxury brand to one that exudes performance. However, it faced difficulties in garnering media attention, which is crucial for a halo car to have a positive effect on a brand’s image.
Global Disaster Impact:
The LFA’s production schedule was affected by a national disaster in Japan, which may have contributed to delays and impacted the overall marketing and sales strategy.
High Price Point and Limited Sales:
The LFA was priced at $375,000, and despite its exceptional engineering and performance, it faced challenges in sales. As of a certain point in time, only 90 LFAs had been built for worldwide sales, with 22 delivered to the U.S. This limited production and slow sales may have contributed to its commercial struggles.
Increased Popularity Over Time:
Interestingly, despite its initial commercial flop, the LFA’s popularity has increased over the years, with second-hand cars selling for double or even more than the original MSRP. This suggests a shift in perception and increased appreciation for the car in the secondary market.
In conclusion, while the Lexus LFA faced challenges in achieving commercial success, it has gained recognition and appreciation over time, reflecting its exceptional engineering and performance qualities.
Contents
Why is the Lexus LFA so rare?
With only 500 units produced, each one hand-built by a single engineer, the Lexus LFA has become a sought-after collector’s item.
How much is an LFA today?
A: The average price of a Lexus LFA is $909,293.
Did Lexus lose money on the LFA?
Two decades after the LS went on sale, Lexus rolled out the automaker’s first and only supercar thus far. The program is rumored to have cost approximately $800 million, and – as you might already know – each and every single example of the breed was sold at a loss.
Is the LFA unreliable?
The car is very reliable, as you would expect from Lexus. I have never had any major issues with it. It’s just that the rarity of the car requires specifically trained technicians to work on it for the service.
Why is the LFA so special?
The LFA’s body features sharp edges and cutoffs for improved aerodynamic performance, made possible by the carbon fiber body. The body was designed with an emphasis on downforce. There are air scoops located over the rear fenders which feed the aft-mounted radiators and help cool the brakes.
Why are LFAs so rare?
Why It Was Only in Production for Two Years. Lexus built just 500 examples of the LFA—436 “regular” models and 64 Nurburgring Package variants—between 2010 and 2012, 190 of which were for the US market. The decision to keep the production run so low appears to have been intentional.
Why did Lexus discontinue the LFA?
To put it rather bluntly: The LFA was discontinued because it didn’t sell well enough. When they were new, the LFA’s supercar performance had a price to match. Per Motorweek, the LFA they tested had a price tag of $376,500. That is more than 10 times the cost of the current Lexus UX SUV.
What makes Lexus LFA so expensive?
With a production run of just 500 units over two years, the Lexus LFA is an extremely exclusive piece of automotive history. One of them (chassis number 184 of 500) recently traded hands via Bring a Trailer. The winning bid was a whopping $808,000 USD, or approximately $997,000 CAD at the current exchange rate.
Was Lexus LFA successful?
Despite its engineering success, the LFA faced challenges, including a long development period, dated transmission, and high price, resulting in slower sales and ultimately making it a flagship failure for Lexus.
Why no one bought Lexus LFA?
The Lexus LFA was a two-door sports car that was as immensely stylish as it was powerful. It had a lot of potentials but it was simply too expensive. Toyota famously lost money on each and every one of the 500 LFAs it made despite selling them for an eye-watering $375,000 each.
