Dan Neil is a widely and highly respected auto journalist, and has won witing awards that have nothing to do with cars or journalism.

"IF you follow car culture, one of the first things you'll learn about the 2007 Lexus LS 460 -- the fourth-generation flagship of Toyota's luxury marque -- is that it has the ability to park itself.....the system requires that the parallel spot be 6.5 feet longer than the car (23 feet for the standard-wheelbase LS 460). I don't need a computer and a rearview camera to dock in such a huge space. A white cane and a Labrador service dog would do just fine.

You can cite all the ways that Lexus is a great car -- best-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. for six years running, perennially at the top of the J.D. Power heap in initial quality, vehicle dependability, customer satisfaction and return business -- and I'll tell you that none of that matters. Compared to luxury brands like Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, BMW and Audi, Lexus has the emotional appeal of a public golf course."<ul><li><a href="http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-hy-neil30aug30,0,5726164,full.story?">fun and interesting read</a></li></ul>

consecutive years and comes top in J.D. Power's surveys, it is obvious that a lot of car buyers don't share the same view as Dan Neil. Afterall, sales figure means everything for car makers because this is how they make money.

Nothing is ever going to make him cool - even though people might temporarily befriend him so they can copy his homework;-)

They had a variety of Lexii on the grass at Pebble Beach during the preview showing for the Concours. Even Fisker and Tesla saw more action!

As for JD Power surveys, Toyota has had them in their pocket for some time. Note that anybody can skew the numbers to reflect any agenda they might have on their plate:)

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Auto_News/Auto_News/J_D_Power_Exploring_Sale.S175.A7669.html

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/?p=2043<ul><li><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Neil">Dan Neil speaks for the discerning auto enthusiast.....</a></li></ul>

I was very open to reading the original link you posted from Mr. Neil until he lost his mind and tried to equate/compare the Cadillac with Mercedes, Audi, BMW, &amp; Lexus. Once i read that, i knew this guy was a goof. Cadillac isn't even in the same "class". He says Lexus has the emotional appeal of a golf course.... and Cadillac has an emotional appeal of what (think geritol and Depends)??? Most people i know also wouldn't "yawn" given the opportunity to drive a vehicle that has a "4.6-liter V8 that will produce 380 horsepower and 370 lb.-ft. of torque, allowing the LS 460 to travel from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds."

In regards to the survey he mentions about hip hop artists, i assure you that they (artists) are not purchasing new model Caddy sedans/coupes. If anything, the Caddy's high ranking in the survey would come from the purchase of the Escalade (24"+ of bling) and old school cars. His inclusion of Caddy's is definately not noteworthy for his article.

Edward'TLS hit it on the head. Ultimately, it comes down to overall sales. Toyota/Lexus have been leading the way for years in the non-American market and will eventually catch the Big Three within a decade. They contiune to close that gap steadily every year.

Just like those car review magazines who try to add up scores and decide which car is best, you can't boil a car down to numbers. Different cars suit different people, and Lexus so far has been a brand of imitation. They do some things very well - reliability, customer service, gadgets. But they are yet to refine themselves into offering quality design, road feel and driving entertainment. Being such a derivitive brand (mainly derived from M-B and Toyota) they haven't yet emerged as a car maker that has got the non-tangibles right. Maybe soon, but not yet.

Their intangibles are just different, not wrong.

The LS is tilted towards luxury not sport.

The market is segmented. If you don't buy in that segment it doesn't make it wrong.

drivers would drive a Bentley if it was in the same price class and the neighbours wouldn't talk too much;-)

luxury car buyers would be dying to do so. Rich people are more reluntant to waste their valuable time on bringing their unreliable cars to frequent repair trips.

and you wouldn't even know it!

What would you pay for this feature?

Most buyers of German cars are willing to SACRIFICE some luxury for some sport.