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All I am saying that the two models appeal to different demongraphics with different income levels which explains why there is still a market although limited market for 200 series. People making $240k per year likely view a vehicle differently than someone who is pulling $106k and a has a family, mortgage and is likely more affected by gas prices, economy etc etc. Not to say that the $240k person doesn't have these issues but is far less affected by the economy.
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I think this perspective is both out of date and planned for change by Toyota. Page, I think you're perspective is far too rearward biased and LC loyal. The Sequoia is now far more upscale with the platinum edition of the new platform. Its my belief that it will migrate even more upscale with interior refinement over time, particularly if the Platinum becomes an unexpected success with sales of more than 10% of the total Sequoia units sales. And I believe it will.
As the Plat successfully moves upward in image its will eventually crowd the LC out of the Toyota Lineup. Once that happens the LX is a goner and Toyota will quickly fill the void with a significantly upscaled version of the Sequoia exclusively for Lexus. The only question is how fast this transition will occur in the US. I believe the speed will be directly proportional to the following data points:
- How successful the Platinum Sequoia turns out to be in terms of units sales over the next 3 years. Since the previous gen Seq only had the SR-5 and Ltd models, IMO Toyo is testing the success of a higher end Seq model (Plat) that could eventually replace the LC platform.
- How fast the LC units sales decline in the US? I believe over the next 2 yrs the LC will die a quick death stuck between the 4Runner and new Sequoia.
- How well the LX performs in terms of units sales in the US? I suspect the LX will have relatively poor uninspiring sales as the Sequoia gains a real foothold in the next 24 months.