Factory plans 4X production for new GS
10-22-11, 07:28 AM
#17
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Last edited by ydooby; 10-22-11 at 08:47 AM.
10-22-11, 11:23 AM
#18
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I don't belive the 4GS will sell at the rate they believe. The older crowd is out. The middle crowd has so many options. The younger crowd can't afford it.
Then there's us, the enthusiast crowd. So far, I haven't warmed to the look. Improved handling doesn't thrill me much because I drive a modded 3GS. OK, they sell 10 thousand to enthusiasts. Even 20 thousand.....I don't think that's enough to send chills up their spine.
When Lexus makes GS based coupe, something with style, some sportiness and plenty of leg room, I'll get excited.
Then there's us, the enthusiast crowd. So far, I haven't warmed to the look. Improved handling doesn't thrill me much because I drive a modded 3GS. OK, they sell 10 thousand to enthusiasts. Even 20 thousand.....I don't think that's enough to send chills up their spine.
When Lexus makes GS based coupe, something with style, some sportiness and plenty of leg room, I'll get excited.
Cue the 4GS with it's class-leading interior, its relative compactness to the LS, its premium cachet over the ES and and I can see how the 4GS could be a runaway bestseller for Lexus.
10-22-11, 04:52 PM
#19
On the contrary, the 4GS may just be the ticket for the older crowd who find the LS just too massive, expensive and unwieldy but couldn't get into the 3GS as it was just too cramped.
Cue the 4GS with it's class-leading interior, its relative compactness to the LS, its premium cachet over the ES and and I can see how the 4GS could be a runaway bestseller for Lexus.
Cue the 4GS with it's class-leading interior, its relative compactness to the LS, its premium cachet over the ES and and I can see how the 4GS could be a runaway bestseller for Lexus.
10-22-11, 05:52 PM
#20
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Suspension apparently improves both ride and handling.
10-26-11, 01:18 PM
#21
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So I'm at my Lexus Journey session this week and after we see all the highly secret, no pictures allowed, photos of the new model body changes (except the ES) we're told that the production volume planned for the new GS is 4 times greater than previous years. Lexus expects the new GS to take away buyers of the LS and hence why the new LS isn't coming out for another year.
This led to speculation around the room that the new GS will be "competitively priced" instead of adding on another $5-10k like we expected. Price point hasn't been shared yet. We were also told that Lexus realizes they can't bank on the older buyer that makes up the largest part of their sales base. Yep, that means they want to get more younger buyers and the performance thinking is on the upswing. The CT helps with this but the GS is the sweet spot. By the way, get used to the new GS nose, it's on just about everything coming.
This led to speculation around the room that the new GS will be "competitively priced" instead of adding on another $5-10k like we expected. Price point hasn't been shared yet. We were also told that Lexus realizes they can't bank on the older buyer that makes up the largest part of their sales base. Yep, that means they want to get more younger buyers and the performance thinking is on the upswing. The CT helps with this but the GS is the sweet spot. By the way, get used to the new GS nose, it's on just about everything coming.
10-26-11, 01:59 PM
#22
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Thanks for sharing. Didn't notice this part until now. So you mean that angry spindle face is on the next LS too? I hope not, since the LS should be about pampering not hard driving and that angry look would be very out of character. But since you say it is here to stay I think it's safe to say the next LS will alienate most of the current buyers and get a totally different class of audience, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
Last edited by ydooby; 10-26-11 at 02:35 PM.
10-26-11, 02:34 PM
#23
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I think the 4GS is taking on the 5 series formula that has made it a huge success in the segment since the previous gen. I don't have the stat, but for whatever reason, it seems like there are ten 5 series for every GS I see on the road. So there is a good chance that Lexus would gain customers at the expense of the other in the segment.
10-26-11, 02:41 PM
#24
Thanks for sharing. Didn't notice this part until now. So you mean that angry spindle face is on the next LS too? I hope not, since the LS should be about pampering not hard driving and that angry look would be very out of character. But since you say it is here to stay I think it's safe to say the next LS will alienate most of the current buyers and get a totally different class of audience, and I'm not sure if that's a good thing.
10-26-11, 05:30 PM
#26
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I think the 4GS is taking on the 5 series formula that has made it a huge success in the segment since the previous gen. I don't have the stat, but for whatever reason, it seems like there are ten 5 series for every GS I see on the road. So there is a good chance that Lexus would gain customers at the expense of the other in the segment.
10-26-11, 06:31 PM
#27
Super Moderator
I happen to think that angry spindle grill is the only part of the 4GS that looks interesting exteriorwise, I like it and would welcome a variation of it on the next LS 
10-26-11, 06:37 PM
#28
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With Lexus seriously internally pushing a GS coupe, it is starting to make more sense. Make the 4GS more upright ala 5/E class and maybe attract a LS buyer or two. Then maybe they offer a swoopy coupe as they were recently interviewed about.
My concern is will DEALERS PUSH THE GS or will they just show people the new ES when it debuts next year
Sometimes I feel the biggest enemy is themselves.
Its growing on me.
My concern is will DEALERS PUSH THE GS or will they just show people the new ES when it debuts next year
Sometimes I feel the biggest enemy is themselves. GS comes in several flavors. For the comfort oriented there is the standard model, for the efficiency oriented there is the 450h, and for the performance enthusiast there is the F-sport (with suspension upgrades). Practicality (trunk space, rear seat room) has been improved across the board so really in every way it is an upgrade over the outgoing model. I don't see it alienating many of those buyers but it may attract new ones.
Its growing on me.