Lexus U.S. dealer meeting notes - WSJ
10-19-10, 06:18 PM
#61
Lexus Champion
I didn't take it seriously. I just was pointing out that I said the same thing as you! heh. No big deal. All I'm saying is I hope the next GS is bad *** in the F version. I think the IS-F is pretty bad ***, I love that blue it comes in too! It'll be great to see a brand new GS-F in that color with the gunmetal wheels. I just hope they are smart enough to make room for 20 inchers, and at least 9 inches wide!
10-19-10, 06:21 PM
#62
GS
2009-7,430
2008-15,759
2007-23,381
2006-27,390
2005-33,357
2004-8,262
2009-7,430
2008-15,759
2007-23,381
2006-27,390
2005-33,357
2004-8,262
How many units/dealer/year does this equate to?
10-19-10, 06:28 PM
#63
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Over the past several years, not even the 5 Series or E Class were really selling at 55K+ annually.
I don't see how anyone could expect the GS to sell so high if no other car in the class sold that high either.
It's not pathetic, midsize premium luxury sedans are just not huge sellers.
Only in 2006 did BMW manage to sell over 55K 5 Series annually for example.
10-19-10, 07:02 PM
#64
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10-19-10, 09:56 PM
#65
Moderator
No love for the Guigario design? I think its a beauty, pretty timeless. 
I don't think Lexus could do anything to make it stand out since multiple brands took 2GS cues and evolved them. The 3GS clearly comes for 1GS/2GS lines along with the new L-finesse theme. Today you have a G37 and XF that looks like their versions of the 3GS, even copying the tri-spoke wheels. 
Time to trade in the car.
I don't think Lexus could do anything to make it stand out since multiple brands took 2GS cues and evolved them. The 3GS clearly comes for 1GS/2GS lines along with the new L-finesse theme.
Today you have a G37 and XF that looks like their versions of the 3GS, even copying the tri-spoke wheels. Time to trade in the car.
10-20-10, 01:31 AM
#67
Lexus Champion
sales for the GS used to be good, I guess people got tired of spending 55K for cars! Then the design hasn't changed in a good while. Hopefully the new 4GS makes a decent splash and stays 'current' compared to the 5 series and E. Also the newcomers the XF and M. Not sure what the CTS is though, it's kinda in between 3 and 5, then in V trim it's M5 competitor. Weird to say the least. There's a lot of players, curiously enough it's Acura that's lacking a serious competitor, unless they magically have plans for a RWD GS competitor!
10-20-10, 11:16 AM
#69
Lexus Champion
Yeah, it's just funny that they say they're a luxury brand but how? The only car worthwhile is the TL-SHAWD, and that beak is hard to get over. It just seems all of their cars are bigger versions of the Accord. Their SUVs are ok, but the beak is there again.
Emotion you say. That does play a good part, but a drop from 30k+ sales to just around 6k? There's something more to it than emotion. The recession maybe?
Emotion you say. That does play a good part, but a drop from 30k+ sales to just around 6k? There's something more to it than emotion. The recession maybe?
10-20-10, 02:03 PM
#70
Yeah, it's just funny that they say they're a luxury brand but how? The only car worthwhile is the TL-SHAWD, and that beak is hard to get over. It just seems all of their cars are bigger versions of the Accord. Their SUVs are ok, but the beak is there again.
Emotion you say. That does play a good part, but a drop from 30k+ sales to just around 6k? There's something more to it than emotion. The recession maybe?
Emotion you say. That does play a good part, but a drop from 30k+ sales to just around 6k? There's something more to it than emotion. The recession maybe?
10-20-10, 03:58 PM
#71
if you pair the sales number together with the sales of e and 5, then you can see recession didn't affect sales of 5 and e as much. that's why i think the 3gs sales failed in that case, coz' they can't maintain the loyalty / consistency. i personally don't mind the 25-30k number (even if that's less than e and 5), but imho consistency on sales over yrs is a lot more important
10-20-10, 04:40 PM
#72
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The car also had some flaws that could not be easily fixed such as a cramped interior and not enough differentiation from the IS and ES. There were also no big lease deals offered, compared to what the German competition offers.
10-20-10, 10:35 PM
#73
Lexus Champion
I don't see how is looked like the IS or ES. Maybe the brand new ES, but it looks a lot different to me. I've heard about the tight interior though. Hopefully Lexus addresses these issues for the new car.
10-20-10, 11:19 PM
#74
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Since the GS is a class above the ES and IS, it should have a bunch of features that are a class above, but it doesn't have that much. Also the driving experience is not differentiated enough from the ES. The 3GS is only slightly sportier than the ES, but not as comfortable.
10-20-10, 11:37 PM
#75
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I've driven the ES and GS plenty of times and its night and day. Sorry.
Also the 3GS had a lot more competition then the 2GS did. S80, M35/45, RL, MKS, XF, A6 are all very good. I think that had A LOT to do with it.
Whereas the 2GS only really had the E and 5 to worry about.
Today the ENTIRE CLASS is rock solid. And to yalls point the "Tweeners" like the ES/G37/CTS/TL all steal sales as they are big like the class above it but priced much lower.
Now even the new S60 and Saab 9-5 are solid tweeners.
Also the 3GS had a lot more competition then the 2GS did. S80, M35/45, RL, MKS, XF, A6 are all very good. I think that had A LOT to do with it.
Whereas the 2GS only really had the E and 5 to worry about.
Today the ENTIRE CLASS is rock solid. And to yalls point the "Tweeners" like the ES/G37/CTS/TL all steal sales as they are big like the class above it but priced much lower.
Now even the new S60 and Saab 9-5 are solid tweeners.