A few or ten years ago, we say Lexus is a copy cat. Yes,they did a portion of design copying plus some of their innovations and end up to be their 'new car'.
But that ERA has passed when Mercedes introduceed their NEW W220 S-class's "new" AIRMATIC suspension system- from the ideas ,operation performance to the design mechanism, THERE IS ALMOST NOTHING DIFFERENT FROM THE 1st generation LEXUS LS400's AIR SUSPENSION which is not the one exported to the US but the more advace system for japan local sale only!! what ??
Mercedes copied LEXUS's 1989 SUSPENSION design ?? Yes, they did and 90% similar. It's not suprising that you guys don't know it as that system was/is available in the japan local market only. Unless you know japanese and always read their local car magazines (starting from 1989 !), you would think Mercedes is the Father of the AIRMATIC!!
Maybe I should tell a bit more detail... Lexus LS400 is called Toyota CELSIOR in japan and availble with 4 packages-

A version - about the same as the exported version LS400
B version - as above plus the standard air suspension
C version - as A plus Advance AIR SUSPENSION which is the FIRST "AIRMATIC" ever applied on cars
C version F package - as C plus premium rear passenger compartment.

Would I say Mercedes is a copy cat? No, because car design becomes more and more identical in the recent years and totally Market Directed- Supply what the market wants and once the public response is good, all other brands will follow and add/make a new model similar to compete. Every manufacturer uses this strategy including Mercedes and Jaguar is the last one to "wake up". For example, when BMW and Honda intoduced their +/- auto gear box in 1996 and Mercedes had it in their cars in 1998, can we say Mercedes follows BMW and Honda 's step ?? I think it is worth us to think seriously BUT no longer who the copy cat is...Just my friendly opinions, don't get me wrong, NO FLAME WAR

BTW, I completely agree with Cossie's last statement. Lexus did make the traditional to think about the way they build their luxurious cars and IS200 is a Statement that Lexus's own STYLISH Culture has built up.

[Edited by Davis Lo on 04-17-2001 at 03:23 PM]