Lexus vs. Everyone else

OK, so to continue the theme from yesterday's blog, lets examine the relentless pursuit of Lexus by several car companies.

Specifically, and most recently the RX has come under attack from the Audi Q5 and now the totally revitalized and redesigned Cadillac SRX. Very exciting to me.

When Lexus debuted the RX, it was truly the benchmark and first of the breed now known throughout the country as the "crossover". It's to date the best selling model Lexus offers and anyone driving on the US roads can see that for themselves. Lexus had the market cornered for a long time - even Infiniti never really came out with a competitor - the FX is the closest thing, but not really. Maybe Nissan's Murano, but again, that's not an apples to apples thing.

So, Audi launches the new Q5 about 4 months ago with the BEST commercials out there that showed endless RX's painted that vapid golden beige and made fun of the fact that everyone followed like sheep and all own the RX. The Q5 was different. It sure is.

Now we have an American car company with the RX in the crosshairs. Cadillac's new SRX looks as though it could conceivably be a significant competitor for the RX. That thrills me. Better Cadillac to fight Lexus than Buick. I haven't yet seen the new SRX in person, but I'm sure that it will be a distinctive piece of machinery.

My favorite part of all this is that my significant other drives an RX, and I would have never guessed him for one of those. It's nice enough, but very understated. I challenged him to go test drive the new Cadillac and tell me that it wasn't just as good, but he resists... until yesterday when a potential new client, who owns the local Cadillac dealer told him that he insisted he come test drive one.

You can bet I'll be in the passenger seat with a big grin on my face.
Happy Humpday everyone.