Noticed how supercars almost always spend most of their lives parked in some carpark, collecting more dust than mileage. Then there are those limited run supercars that double in price as soon as the first owner receives the keys. We have the speculators to thank for that but now in a bid to foil these exotic car speculators, Lexus has came up with the idea of leasing its forthcoming LFA supercar – not selling it – when it hits the market.
Automotive News is reporting that Lexus will only offer two-year leases of its 552hp supercar at a fixed price which has not yet been disclosed. It is only at the end of the two year period that the leaseholders get the opportunity to actually purchase the car, at which point the title would be handed over. As Lexus’ vice president of sales and dealer development Brian Smith tells it, his company wants “people out driving the car and not just parking it in a museum or selling it at an inflated price.”
New LFA’s may be lease vehicles, but all cars will still be able to be individually tailored to the customers and built-to-order begins in December 2010.
In an effort to gear up for the arrival of the LFA, Lexus will reportedly train 15 LFA specialists that will be located at the company’s four regional outposts. It has also been reported that the Japanese automaker will also pay for dealers to receive the special tools and training that will service the vehicles.
If the leasing method works and effectively brings an end to the speculator’s market, expect other exotic car companies like Ferrari and Lamborghini to follow suit.
Source: Automotive News
