January 15, 201214 yr Most of the cars sold in Thailand are Toyota. Why is it that Lexus does not sell many cars here? Is it because they are not affordable? When I think of Lexus, I immediately associate the brand with Toyota(i'm from America). Why are Lexus cars so expensive when, essentially, they are Toyota cars.?.
January 15, 201214 yr "Why are Lexus cars so expensive when, essentially, they are Toyota cars.?" Isn't that like saying a Lincoln is just a Ford or a Cadillac is just a Chevrolet? Toyota's are built in Thailand, not sure about the Lexus though. Also the engine sizes on the Lexus tend to be larger than most Toyota's and as such attract a higher tax.
January 15, 201214 yr Author "Why are Lexus cars so expensive when, essentially, they are Toyota cars.?" Isn't that like saying a Lincoln is just a Ford or a Cadillac is just a Chevrolet? yeah, it kind of is...
January 15, 201214 yr TIT I don't think the people who could buy a Lexus would want to be in anyway associated Toyota buyers.
January 15, 201214 yr true brand differentiation for the premium line similar to honda acura nissan infiniti. I find it rediculous there isnt a lexus corner in the toyota down in pattaya or even chonburi, id be inclined to buy a second hand one as they tend to be more reliable than benz and bmw and give you the advantage of rwd if looking at non es line, they do have some toyota imports (no lexus distinction in japan) so have the is300 aka toyota alteeza and the toyota aristo aka the gs300 both with the 2jz ....might be able to get service for those at a toyota dealership, either way lexus depreciates faster than the germans and makes a good 2nd hand purchase if you stick to BKK as dealership support is pretty limited.
January 15, 201214 yr Author I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home).
January 15, 201214 yr Your right, and as most Thais could not afford one knowing where it came from would not be of any interest, only the minority that can do and patronise their local German car dealers.
January 16, 201214 yr I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home). Lexus is Toyotas luxury brand, yes. But Lexus most models are very different from their Toyota model cousins, one major difference being rearwheeldrive Lexus made in Japan are being imported to TH by Toyota TH, and sold and serviced in different showrooms. An import has a minimum duty/excicetax at 280%, while a TH made Hybrid (as Camry and Prius) has 7% VAT Makes a major difference in price
January 16, 201214 yr I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home). Lexus is Toyotas luxury brand, yes. But Lexus most models are very different from their Toyota model cousins, one major difference being rearwheeldrive Lexus made in Japan are being imported to TH by Toyota TH, and sold and serviced in different showrooms. An import has a minimum duty/excicetax at 280%, while a TH made Hybrid (as Camry and Prius) has 7% VAT Makes a major difference in price That is correct. In Savannakhett, Laos there are Hundreds of Lexus cars and SUV's but for service they bring them to Toyota-Mukdahan and the parts are very very expensive as they have the high tax as well i would assume and many are V8's and with the higher cost of fuel in Lao these vehicles are very expensive to run.
January 16, 201214 yr Author I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home). Lexus is Toyotas luxury brand, yes. But Lexus most models are very different from their Toyota model cousins, one major difference being rearwheeldrive Lexus made in Japan are being imported to TH by Toyota TH, and sold and serviced in different showrooms. An import has a minimum duty/excicetax at 280%, while a TH made Hybrid (as Camry and Prius) has 7% VAT Makes a major difference in price That is correct. In Savannakhett, Laos there are Hundreds of Lexus cars and SUV's but for service they bring them to Toyota-Mukdahan and the parts are very very expensive as they have the high tax as well i would assume and many are V8's and with the higher cost of fuel in Lao these vehicles are very expensive to run. From what I could gather, imported cars are not taxed heavily in Laos. I would think that applies to the parts, too... A car that stood out when I was in Vientiane was the Lexus LX570. I also saw a Ford F-150 pick-up truck, among other cars. At least Toyota and Lexus use the same nuts and bolts to put their cars together. Some models share the same engines I know.
January 16, 201214 yr I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home). Lexus is Toyotas luxury brand, yes. But Lexus most models are very different from their Toyota model cousins, one major difference being rearwheeldrive Lexus made in Japan are being imported to TH by Toyota TH, and sold and serviced in different showrooms. An import has a minimum duty/excicetax at 280%, while a TH made Hybrid (as Camry and Prius) has 7% VAT Makes a major difference in price That is correct. In Savannakhett, Laos there are Hundreds of Lexus cars and SUV's but for service they bring them to Toyota-Mukdahan and the parts are very very expensive as they have the high tax as well i would assume and many are V8's and with the higher cost of fuel in Lao these vehicles are very expensive to run. From what I could gather, imported cars are not taxed heavily in Laos. I would think that applies to the parts, too... A car that stood out when I was in Vientiane was the Lexus LX570. I also saw a Ford F-150 pick-up truck, among other cars. At least Toyota and Lexus use the same nuts and bolts to put their cars together. Some models share the same engines I know. Gm 350 is used in vans, cars, pickups and Corvette, doesnt make any of them bad Problem in Laos, there are almost no parts available and no equipment in "garages". Toyota Nong Kai service Laos plated Toyota and Lexus every day
January 16, 201214 yr I'm not sure that most Thais are knowledgeable enough to know Lexus is Toyota's luxury brand, but I could be wrong. No matter how many times it crosses my mind, I find it hard to rationalize paying 3x the price for the same car (here vs. back home). Lexus is Toyotas luxury brand, yes. But Lexus most models are very different from their Toyota model cousins, one major difference being rearwheeldrive Lexus made in Japan are being imported to TH by Toyota TH, and sold and serviced in different showrooms. An import has a minimum duty/excicetax at 280%, while a TH made Hybrid (as Camry and Prius) has 7% VAT Makes a major difference in price That is correct. In Savannakhett, Laos there are Hundreds of Lexus cars and SUV's but for service they bring them to Toyota-Mukdahan and the parts are very very expensive as they have the high tax as well i would assume and many are V8's and with the higher cost of fuel in Lao these vehicles are very expensive to run. My RX470 can be serviced at most (if not all) Toyota service centres. Lexus (Thailand), the supplier, stipulated that it could be done at any Toyota sevice centre, but maybe there's one or two that don't. I do need to call in advance, in order to arrange a service though.
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