5th Gen GS, any news yet?

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01-16-18 | 10:11 AM

#61

UDel

Lexus Fanatic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 12,274

Likes: 296

From: ------

Quote:

Originally Posted by peteharvey

Audi has A4/A5, A6/A7 & A8/A9.
BM has 3/4 Series, 5/6 Series & 7/8 Series.
Benz has A Class & CLA, and E Class & CLS.

I don't think it's a problem at all.
It's more probably because my 4GS has a rather bland tail & bland dash that caused 2012 debut sales to drop to 22,000+ units from the my previous generation 3GS which debut with 33,000+ units in 2005.

Styling really sells.
After the badge, the next most important facet for consumers is the styling.

And disregard those who say that my 4GS debut sales figures dropped because of SUV's.
This is not true because in 2012, E Class sales passed a thumping 65,000 units, and Benz had another 8,000+ CLS sales on top.
.

I think the exterior of the 4th Gen GS looks much better then the 3rd GS, it is a nice design with nice proportions especially the F sport and luxury versions. The 4th Gen exterior styling is too close to the ES though and it does not offer any more room or really offer any more luxury despite a hefty premium. Losing the V8 was a big mistake as that would have distinguished it more from the ES. I am not much of a fan of the interior though. It is funny because so many in the beginning loved the interior styling of the 4th Gen GS when it debuted and I was one of the few who did not care for it and thought it was a little plain, it seems more have agreed the interior is not a strong point for the 4th GS anymore.

01-16-18 | 01:47 PM

#62

peteharvey

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Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 4,373

Likes: 488

From: Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by bitkahuna

it can kill sales too.

order is not hard and fast by any means. and badge can work against a brand too even on the high end... for years i did not want a mercedes or bmw because i didn't want to be someone who drove a mercedes or bmw.

I was referring to the mums & dads or the laymen that make up the bulk of the mass market sales.
Bitkahuna, you're no average consumer - you're an enthusiast and ClubLexus Forum moderator; your purchase would be based more on quality than on badge and styling, which are the two common favorites for average consumers.

01-16-18 | 01:54 PM

#63

peteharvey

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Joined: Aug 2011

Posts: 4,373

Likes: 488

From: Ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

All current models are stopgap products since the GA-L was not ready. The current GS was still using the old platform, only with a 15% increase in a number of welds. From a marketing standpoint, it doesnt make sense to have both the ES and GS. Just make an AWD ES and at the same time, increase the size of the IS to almost GS size. Much more streamlined product line. If people must have a GS, make it into a niche product like a high performance 4 door sports coupe, but that will certainly kill the RC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by situman

I thought the A series with odd numbers are coupes? The MB CLA and CLS are 4 door coupes with less space no?

Yes, the A's with odd numbers are 2 door or four door coupes.

The point is, last year over 50,000 E Classes were sold in the USA compared to only 6,000+ CLS 4 door coupes, but do you ever hear of Mercedes axing the reskinned CLS?

Likewise, the 5 Series sold 32,000+, while the 6 Series 4 door coupes sold only 3,000+ units, but is there talk that the reskinned 6 Series will be axed?

Last year, the ageing ES on its final full year sold 58,000+ units, while the ageing GS on its 2nd last full year sold 14,000+ units for a combined 73,000+ units - why should the reskinned GS be axed???
.

Last edited by peteharvey; 01-16-18 at 02:15 PM.

01-16-18 | 01:55 PM

#64

djrabbi

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iTrader: (2)

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 486

Likes: 26

From: VA

I actually like the style of my 2015 vs 2016. It is more aggressive looking without being too modern.

I agree if Lexus had a V8 option or V6 Turbo, it would gain MANY customers overs BMW/Mercedes