After being overshadowed by the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Lexus has decided to move up the IS-F’s European launch, says a new report. The IS-F is now expected to make its European debut in the spring of 2008.
Western Europe — the world’s number one luxury car market — has proved to be a bit of a challenge for the Japanese luxury marque. Last year, Lexus sold less than 37,000 cars in Western Europe while it sold 322,000 units in the U.S. In comparison, BMW sold 19,253 vehicles in Germany alone during the month of August.
It remains unclear if Western Europeans will accept a performance vehicle from Lexus — a brand known in Europe from making comfortable and quiet luxury vehicles.
Lexus hopes to have the IS-F ready for an official market introduction by the 2008 Detroit Auto Show.
