Premium Wars

While Bolehland car buyers are torn between post-NAP artificially cheaper car prices (a smokescreen to dilute the effects of recent hike in fuel prices), and sharp rising interest rates; another kind of price war is looming across the border in Siamland.

BangkokPost reports that German marques there were taken aback when they heard about the prices of Lexus's 2nd-gen IS250. In 212hp 2.5L V6 spec, the price starts at B2.99m (RM283k) for Luxury pack, and an additional B500,000 (RM47k) for Premium pack.
Despite having to import the IS250 in completely built-up (CBU) form, Lexus has managed to undercut the prices of the thai-built BMW 325i and Mercedes-Benz C230.
"We are making an ultra-small profit margin [on each IS250 sold]," a source told BangkokPost. "You can now see how much profit the Germans are making [with the 3-series and C-class]."
A BMW spokesman said: "It's good to see competition getting fierce in this segment, because the consumer benefits. But the real seller should be Premium pack [that is B190,000 (RM18k) more than the 325i]."
One DaimlerChrysler executive asked: "You mean Lexus is still making money [on each IS sold]?? You'd better check the price they [Lexus] declared with Customs..." heheh sounds familiar eh? ;p

back in Bolehland - i want my Lexus IS250 (CBU) @RM250k !!