Car and Driver magazine stated, “The Camry Clone Gets the Broom.” The much-maligned ES250 did significantly better than we all expected from a sales standpoint, but the completely redesigned ES300 would be a welcomed addition to the Lexus line-up. Its styling cues and interior design would more closely match those of the Lexus family.
Road & Track magazine’s Rik Paul wrote of the ES300, “Out of the Shadows and Into the Limelight.” He concluded, “The ES300 offers a winning package. We now have an entry-level Lexus that not only looks the part, but is unquestionably worthy of the name.”
The National Road and Motorists Association (NRMA) gave an in-depth critique of the ES300. They concluded, “The ES300 offers as much or more in its quality of finish, equipment, comfort, quietness, performance and driving convenience than European models. It’s also backed by the same complete after-sales customer service that’s offered with the LS400. Particularly in today’s hard economic times, we don’t think these factors can be ignored and it will be interesting to see how the luxury market weighs up factors like prestige and ultimate road manners against value for the money and practicality.”
Auto writer for the San Jose Mercury News Matt Nauman wrote of the ES300, “The new ES300 sedan is stylish, smooth and powerful.” He and his wife drove the ES300 into San Francisco to see a play one night, and he wore a new blazer for the occasion. He wrote that his wife didn’t comment on his blazer or the play. Instead, she turned to him and said, “Matt, I want this car.”
ES250 sales in August fell to only 716 as we sold out of inventory to make way for the ES300. In first month, we sold 1,578 ES300s. By December, sales had doubled to 3,347. The ES300 would ultimately outsell the LS400.
“Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord.” Proverbs 3:7 (NLT)
With three great cars and an outstanding customer service reputation, Lexus would crush the competition in 1991 and start making enemies jealous.
(To be continued in “1991 in the Rear View Mirror”)