
In an annual ritual, weekly U.S. trade publication Automotive News between late July and the very end of August devotes 5 issues to future product predictions as long as 4 years out, with GM, Ford, Chrysler, European and Asian carmakers each getting an issue. These later work their way to their consumer-oriented sibling publication, AutoWeek.
Their predictions for Lexus' pending F models, the GS F and the LF-A/LF-1 supercar are quite discouraging. Here's what they have to say:
GS: The idea of a GS-F high-performance sedan — think BMW M5 fighter — has been put on hold until the economy improves. Designers are debating styling issues for the redesign due for the 2011 model year.
LF-1: The LF-1 high-performance car had been expected this year but has been delayed for at least two reasons.
Insiders say the LF-1 is not hitting performance objectives in line with a $160,000-plus performance car. Second, launching a six-figure sports car into a global recession might doom it.
At this point, Lexus likely will wait until the spring of 2010 to bring it to market as a 2011 model. Of course, by that time, the car's styling will be stale. The first concept with styling cues that will be seen on the LF-1 debuted in 2005.
To read more on their predictions for the rest of the Lexus lineup, check out <A HREF="http://my.is/forums/f41/automotive-news-future-predictions-lexus-models-2008-edition-368182/">this story from sister site my.IS.</A>