Lexus 1-Series Competitor

The BMW 1-Series might not have the market to itself for very much longer. Lexus is looking to a new model to help them better compete in the European market.  Whether or not this car will be coming to the United States is yet to be decided. 

We get the HS250h. How lovely of them! If the company was smart, they would introduce this model in the United States as well.  It certainly is better than the alternative, the econo-car HS250h.  Did I ever tell you how much I hate that car?

It goes against everything the Lexus brand stood for (or at least I thought it did).  Being Prius-based is bad enough in and of itself, but actually looking like an Cimmaron Part 2 you'll is even worse!

At least the 1-Series is actually a real, miniaturized BMW! Not to mention it has some connection with the brand's storied past.  If Lexus was smart, they would ditch the Prius platform and produce a real, RWD alternative to the 1-Series. With Toyota's manufacturing abilities, they would be able to offer it at lower cost as well.

That would be the way to go if they really want to attract a younger demographic to their brand. A lot of people, including myself, would seriously consider the merits of such a vehicle. No doubt this isn't what they are planning though.

According to these latest reports, the Lexus 1-Series competitor will again be Prius-based and hybrid only.  However even given that fact, the car is slated much more appealing then than HS250h that we're getting here in the states. At least give us the European market version!  You know they have any hope of succeeding over there it will be a much better product.

Oh well we can only hope, right? This up and coming segment is one of the luxury manufacturers future growth areas.  Cadillac is planning a BLS-like vehicle for the United States.  Lexus better be on it's game if it doesn't want to fall further and further behind in the market. I'm looking for the market to take shape in what promises to be a big future battleground.