2013 Audi A3

2012 Lexus LFA: A Lost Decade, A Sales Dud?

 
17 5,573 views May 24, 2011
Follow Nelson

2012 Lexus LFA

HI-RES GALLERY: 2012 Lexus LFA

[Updated information on page 2]

There's no denying the Lexus LFA is far and away the greatest combination of engineering feats achieved by Toyota outside of its Formula 1 ventures. In fact, it uses many of the lessons learned in the sport. But for all of its technological prowess, was the LFA a waste of time, money, and effort?

The question was prompted by our observations of many LFAs present at track demonstrations and other events. This struck us as unusual because the LFA is an extremely limited-production vehicle. Just 500 examples were to be built from the outset, at a rate of only a handful per month hand-built by Lexus' top-level technicians. Typically, such cars are hard to find at all, much less being put to hard use on track. It's all the more bizarre considering the full run was supposedly spoken for, or nearly so, very early on. What need is there to entice buyers of a car that's already sold out?

Part of it could be explained by Lexus' stated desire to see the cars on track, doing what they were built for, not moldering in a collector's garage. But not all of it--there had to be something else at work. So we contacted Lexus' American arm and asked about production and sales figures. The results were surprising.






Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comments (17)

  1. By Enzo Posted: 5/24/2011 4:59pm PDT

    as a car collector i would buy this car,but as a car enthuse i will never buy it. i see it as a waste of money when i could buy a Lamborghini Aventador or Ferrari 599 GTO that actually looks good with around the same price and may outperform the LFA.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By beelzebub Posted: 5/24/2011 5:22pm PDT

    Paris Hilton owning 1 was probably the final nail in the coffin. Plus, Lexus is a great company but it was quite a jump from the LS to this ... not only in terms of price but also convincing people Toyota could build sports cars. They were better off doing something on the level of the Acura NSX 1st ...
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By Silent Bob Posted: 5/24/2011 5:39pm PDT

    This article will please the legions of Lexus and LFA haters.
    At least they built the damn thing when Acura canned the NSX and Infiniti only teased with the Essence and BMW doesn't even compete. You forget to really touch what was learned with the car and how this will trickle down to other cars. It did with the 2011 IS F as the LFA team tuned it and the car is 8 seconds faster than the 2008 model.
    Lets be honest. no Japanese brand had a 100k car until the LS 600h L and now here is Lexus trying to sell one for 375k in a market that is slow? Its amazing they continued to go ahead with the project. I haven't seen another other supercar showcased and put into the hands of people as Lexus has done, that should be commended.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By Countach Posted: 5/24/2011 7:19pm PDT

    IMO, its still a over glorified Celica and it does not look anything like a supercar, at all! A mass production Celica, yes, an expensive sportscar, no, seriously! Its also ugly, like a cross-breed of an A8, Ferrari 458 and a Celica that gone wrong. I rather get me a Porsche Cayman and spend the remaining money upgrading from Ruf and probably still have enough cash leftover and eat up this LFA on the road anytime. I don't hate Toyota, its my fave Japanese makes but not this car.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By Damien Thomas Posted: 5/24/2011 11:14pm PDT

    I too thought the LFA was bland until I recently moved to Germany. Here, BMWs and Mercs are a dime a dozen. The first time I saw a IS F over here, I though whoa, now that really stands out. The same with most other Lexus models over here.
    Back in the U.S., an IS F wouldn't get a second glance from me.
    Lexus already has strong sales in the U.S. I think the purpose of the car is really to get Europe's attention. People with tons of money want to be different, want to stand out. I now finally understand why Lexus made this car so expensive. I was once a hater but now am converted. I would rather own this than a 599 or any Aston Martin if I was looking to buy a mega expensive GT.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By QB Posted: 5/25/2011 6:31am PDT

    Wow, speculation much, Mr. Ireson? You take all these gut feelings about the actual cost of the project and present them as fact. The FACT is that you simply don't know the development cost, manufacturing cost, or future savings. You don't know how costs will be amortized in the future. Lexus said they don't make money on the car. Selling only 500 cars at $375,000 pretty much makes losing money a certainty. The development cost of the Camry probably crests the $187M that the LFA will bring in. Basically, a new project has no chance of making money at that quantity and cost when looked at by itself. What they learned, though, may save them millions in R&D in the future. Only those at TMC can really say if the project was worth it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. Nelson avatar Nelson Ireson Posted: 5/25/2011 7:06am PDT

    QB--that's a fair point, and certainly the weakest part of my argument. Lexus hasn't ever discussed or even vaguely referred to the cost of development for the LFA as far as I can tell in my research. I made an educated guess based on similar cases and the duration of the project, however, and I think it's reasonable.
    I also acknowledge several times that the LFA, even if not a world-beater, is a very impressive car. I don't hate it by any means.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By z2Cents Posted: 5/25/2011 9:01am PDT

    Exactly my thoughts Silent Bob.
    The Author is rather myopic in his analysis of the LFA program focusing primarily on the monetary cost\benefit with indifference to the rest. This is a good article to read and understand the other side of the argument and is irrelevant to the value of the LFA program, either to Lexus or its customers.
    It does however help expose fanbois such as Countach empowered by internet access and a few throw away comparisons.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By Car Nut Posted: 5/26/2011 11:01am PDT

    It's no wonder Nelson is the editor of a 3rd rate automotive site with all the assumptions he makes.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By Eric Chang Posted: 5/26/2011 12:06pm PDT

    Yeah, it's a real shame that car companies don't only green light cars that make tons of money and compete on meaningless specification figures. Article author's metric for "success" of a car is everything that is wrong with the automotive industry today.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  11. By Dave Posted: 5/26/2011 6:05pm PDT

    Mr. Ireson, your article fails on so many levels I don't have enough room to type. You fail to mention that ALL 165 cars in Japan are sold out(I should know I live here and still wait for a call to say one is available).You put down Lexus for not matching monthly production targets ,you do realize there was a 9.0M earthquake here and a lot of Toyota's facilities had to stop production? The new Prius has a one year wait here, but it was expected to start shipping July/August. Mr QB commented on the cost factor so I won't go over that again. How about you pull your head from where the sun don't shine and do some actually research instead speaking out where the sun don't shine?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  12. By chaplinmoore Posted: 5/26/2011 7:50pm PDT

    Confusing article, I actually have a red LFA on order in NY, I know myself of about 30 people or companies in the northeast with one on order we're using it for our racing school, Lexus made us wait a while to get things done and we only got ours because someone moved out of their spot for a yellow one.
    How the hell can it be a sales dud ?
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  13. By  Mike Posted: 5/27/2011 9:58am PDT

    http://www.clublexus.com/forums/lfa-model/572984-in-response-to-the-sky-is-falling-articles-on-the-lexus-lfa.html#post6422246
    Rebuttal
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  14. By Austin Healey Posted: 5/30/2011 11:43pm PDT

    Great article for those tasting the sour grapes like myself. Lambo and Ferrari produce ltd runs of "special" cars every five years +/-. But how special are they when Jameslist is jammed with Enzos and Veyrons?
    There is a lot more to the LFA than the materials in in or the performance figures. Almost all the real car reviewers praised its handling and track manners. The TG power lap times speaks the undeniable truth.
    There are plenty of alternatives, GTR, Corvette, ferrari, lamborghini, koeniggsegg, Pagani etc at all price ranges. None will be as exclusive or refined and built by the best automaker in the world.
    True car enthusiasts will want to collect the LFA. Sunday drivers prefer the flashy brands like Ferrari.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  15. By Roger Posted: 6/1/2011 3:20am PDT

    I read the first page of this article and knew exactly where it was going, but I keep an open heart and mind anyways. It's funny how all these supposed "facts" have no direct links. Care to weigh in the positives?...like what the LFA could potentially do for Lexus should it be successful? Now you mentioned car enthusiasts like those that buy Ferraris would never opt for an LFA...did you run a survey by these individuals? and if so, where are the results? I can go on and on, but if anyone writes "professionally," he/she ought to throw in both sides. Remember, your readers are just as smart and competent as you are and we appreciate honest reviews/evaluations from our writers.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  16. By Lexus owner Posted: 6/3/2011 1:17pm PDT

    I think the article sheds a little light on the original issue with the LFA. The price is way to high considering its from a company that makes luxury cars and has no experience in this field. I own a high end Lexus sedan ( and have owned others) so I am not just out to bash Lexus. The LFA has not raised the benchmark in any way and is slower than most of its competitors. I know its exclusive and well built but so is a Ferrari 458 Italia, McLaren Mp4-12C, and the Lamborghini Aventador. We spend our money where we want. If it was my money I would spend it elsewhere
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  17. By DanCaek Posted: 6/6/2011 8:00am PDT

    I've never owned a Lexus, but I've been a fan of their work for quite some time, of their philosophy and take on cars. Seriously Toyota and Lexus are the only two companies that would do anything not just for profit. When they started the Prius no one really gave a damn about hybrids. Now every new car is a Hybrid. I don't even know why I bother replying to such a useless article since you obviously know nothing about cars. Have you even driven an LF-A to be able to criticize it!? I just love how you assume all this stuff and don't even have the guts to defend when people try to get actual facts from you. Good job Mr. "Reporter", keep it up, maybe one day you'll manage to write for your local high school newspaper.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!

More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.