Sales data LS500 vs LS460 & earlier
#16
Lexus Fanatic
My response was to the implication of this thread, that LS 500 sales are so bad that after only 5 months, Lexus has been forced to offer rebates to get sales numbers up, and that is simply not the case. As I posted on another thread, LS 500 sales are holding up better than the rest of the segment.
Its just the reality of that segment that big discounts off MSRP are required to move product. You can get 15% off of an S Class and its the sales leader. Its just par for the course.
The following users liked this post:
SW17LS (07-24-18)
#18
Instructor
iTrader: (4)
in 07 (pre-tesla days) Lexus was priced right and well positioned for conservative buyers that wanted reliability/power/luxury/mpg. The failure to create a new design in 2013 and slap controversial mesh grills on everything turned a lot off. Now you can get a 2015 used P85D fully loaded for 60-65k for the buyer mentioned above and the new LS500 isn't as appealing for the money. S Class and 7 series buyers are still buying them. My .02
#19
Lexus Fanatic
in 07 (pre-tesla days) Lexus was priced right and well positioned for conservative buyers that wanted reliability/power/luxury/mpg. The failure to create a new design in 2013 and slap controversial mesh grills on everything turned a lot off. Now you can get a 2015 used P85D fully loaded for 60-65k for the buyer mentioned above and the new LS500 isn't as appealing for the money. S Class and 7 series buyers are still buying them. My .02
#20
I kinda agree with Steve regarding Tesla; a totally different audience for that car. And Tesla is not in the exactly same class as Lexus. Just yesterday, I saw a Tesla X the SUV. The back door chrome frame is so badly made: the top portion has no gap at all between the the door and the little triangular window, but the bottom portion has a gap that's so large that people can see it from ten feet away. The interior of any Tesla, of course, is not even close to that of an LS 500 (or even LS 4XX's).
#21
Lexus Fanatic
If you like well built luxury cars with nice solid materials, the Tesla doesn't deliver there.
#24
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
Yes and I'm sure many people were saying the same thing about S Class sales in 2003 when the two sales trend lives diverged in benefit of the LS. So it really is about perspective
Sales numbers are sales numbers but does any of this account for the drastic change in demand for sedans vs SUVs? Its a much different auto market today than it was 10 years ago.
Lastly, no auto maker is going to seal a car's fate with only a few months of sales data, its just absolutely insane to suggest these things. And a new model in a couple years? Do you know how long in advance it takes to plan a new model for automakers of this size?
Sales numbers are sales numbers but does any of this account for the drastic change in demand for sedans vs SUVs? Its a much different auto market today than it was 10 years ago.
Lastly, no auto maker is going to seal a car's fate with only a few months of sales data, its just absolutely insane to suggest these things. And a new model in a couple years? Do you know how long in advance it takes to plan a new model for automakers of this size?
Last edited by G Star; 07-26-18 at 01:50 AM.
#25
Lexus Fanatic
I kinda agree with Steve regarding Tesla; a totally different audience for that car. And Tesla is not in the exactly same class as Lexus. Just yesterday, I saw a Tesla X the SUV. The back door chrome frame is so badly made: the top portion has no gap at all between the the door and the little triangular window, but the bottom portion has a gap that's so large that people can see it from ten feet away. The interior of any Tesla, of course, is not even close to that of an LS 500 (or even LS 4XX's).
Fit and finish is a different story. But design, tech and performance for sure.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
Makes no sense to say the Tesla S is not in the luxury segment. Just look at the prices. Right on par with Lexus LS and everything above. I would say the Tesla S appeals to a buyer above the LS, or A8. Maybe in a Bentley, high end Porsche of Maserati class. I believe the Tesla S maxes out at $140K. The performance is definitely above a Lexus LS500
Fit and finish is a different story. But design, tech and performance for sure.
#27
That's not a model-specific rebate, it's the general "military/graduation" rebate that Lexus offers across all models to anyone who fits their military/graduate definition.
My response was to the implication of this thread, that LS 500 sales are so bad that after only 5 months, Lexus has been forced to offer rebates to get sales numbers up, and that is simply not the case. As I posted on another thread, LS 500 sales are holding up better than the rest of the segment.
If we look at the average monthly sales for Q1 vs. Q2 for the segment, we get the following:
Moreover, I threw out Jan & Feb for the LS since available qty's were limited and went with the March number, which was the highest month of any and puts the LS at a disadvantage right out of the gate. As you can see, the LS handily beat the competition in Quarter over Quarter sales. The lone exception was the 7 Series, which had May sales nearly double the previous month and more than double the remaining 5 months average, so there is clearly a statistical aberration there.
My response was to the implication of this thread, that LS 500 sales are so bad that after only 5 months, Lexus has been forced to offer rebates to get sales numbers up, and that is simply not the case. As I posted on another thread, LS 500 sales are holding up better than the rest of the segment.
If we look at the average monthly sales for Q1 vs. Q2 for the segment, we get the following:
Moreover, I threw out Jan & Feb for the LS since available qty's were limited and went with the March number, which was the highest month of any and puts the LS at a disadvantage right out of the gate. As you can see, the LS handily beat the competition in Quarter over Quarter sales. The lone exception was the 7 Series, which had May sales nearly double the previous month and more than double the remaining 5 months average, so there is clearly a statistical aberration there.
#28
Lexus Fanatic
Numbers aside, when I talked to the GM at our dealership, he said LS and RX-L sales were poor, and that they have too many on the lot (too many was mainly directed at the RX-L vs. RX). This is good for those in the market. At the time, he said they had sold 5 in June, which I found shocking, and more than double that 3 mos. prior, so they're moving in the wrong direction. This is a large dealership. Again, if you're a buyer, it's great.
#29
Lexus Champion
^^ I’m surprised they said that. Perhaps a regional thing. Was at my dealer last week and they said they can’t keep the RX-L on the lot. They said LS sales are better than they’ve been in years, but still slow and steady.
#30
Racer
Makes no sense to say the Tesla S is not in the luxury segment. Just look at the prices. Right on par with Lexus LS and everything above. I would say the Tesla S appeals to a buyer above the LS, or A8. Maybe in a Bentley, high end Porsche of Maserati class. I believe the Tesla S maxes out at $140K. The performance is definitely above a Lexus LS500
Fit and finish is a different story. But design, tech and performance for sure.