Lexus Leads 2007 JD Power Sales Satisfaction, Adds Sport Sedan

Lexus ranks highest in satisfying buyers with the new-vehicle sales process for a 2nd straight year, per the JD Power 2007 Sales Satisfaction Index.

Power's study evaluates buyer satisfaction with the dealership facility, salesperson, paperwork/finance process, delivery process, and vehicle price. HUMMER, Jaguar, Lincoln, and Mercedes-Benz rounded out the top 5.

Lexus scored a SSI of 897 on 1000-point scale, up 10 points from the previous year.

But despite the high marks, Lexus lead in the luxury market may be in danger of eroding.

Toyota has invested millions over the last twenty years to build a brand perception of refinement and maturity for Lexus. The sleek sedans were perfect for the upscale baby boomers who defined the market.

But studies predict that the luxury demographic will roll over by 2015 as the advance of generation X, now entering their thirties, coincides with baby-boomer retirements.

Meanwhile, the mean age of Lexus ES 350 owners is a Buick-like sixty-one. Lexus customers are older than BMW, Audi, and Infiniti buyers.

To connect with these younger shoppers competing brands have high-performance halo cars to project a more youthful image.

Lexus' new 2008 IS-F is Toyota's answer, a real departure from the usual staid product line.

A high performance version of the IS sedan, IS-F will match BMW's M3 cars and Mercedes's AMG line.

The new hottie will have a 416 hp five-liter V8 engine and an 8-speed electronic automatic transmission capable of shifting so fast (.1 sec) that no manual transmission can match it.

Most impressive is the new sport sedan's 60-mph to a standing stop in an astounding 106-feet.

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