Wanna pay 30% more for a Toyota Crown rebadged Lexus?

[Taro Toporific]

Toyota to Sell Lexus in Japan, Tapping Brand Appetite
Jan. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Toyota Motor Corp., the biggest seller of luxury cars in the U.S., will introduce its Lexus brand in Japan in August...
.... ``I don't think Toyota can justify the premium at the beginning,'' said Graeme Maxton, managing director of London- based consulting firm Autopolis. ``Toyota has been selling the Lexus models under the Toyota brand for some time and it may be difficult to change consumers' mind.''

[Watcher]

People will buy it. Heck, I've seen a few folks over there just slap on the "L" badge. Now if there actually is a real difference then maybe they'll sell loads of cars but the whole point of the Lexus branding (along with Honda/Acura and Nissan/Infiniti) was to sell the higher end cars to people who wouldn't dare spend so much money on a marquee more closely associated with cheap economy cars.
On the flipside, I like the what some guy here in Vancouver did taking his late model 240SX and importing the Silvia front fascia and Silvia badging... now that was worthy and unique upgrading.

[FG Lurker]

On the flipside, I like the what some guy here in Vancouver did taking his late model 240SX and importing the Silvia front fascia and Silvia badging... now that was worthy and unique upgrading.

Did it make the car faster? Better handling? Shorter stopping distances?

Didn't think so...

It made the car a lot more unique, but I think I'd spend my $$$ on engine/suspension/brakes instead.

[Taro Toporific]

People will buy it... taking [a] late model 240SX and importing the Silvia front fascia and Silvia badging... now that was worthy and unique upgrading.

Custom Junky - Nissan Silvia RHD Conversion

[vir-jin]

``Toyota has been selling the Lexus models under the Toyota brand for some time and it may be difficult to change consumers' mind.''

That's the car of my dreams that may never come true. What a design!

[cliffy]

``Toyota has been selling the Lexus models under the Toyota brand for some time and it may be difficult to change consumers' mind.''

That's the car of my dreams that may never come true. What a design!

It exists but it is a barge to drive It is big it is thirsty and as it is 30ish years old probably rusty