Even though this is the case tech wise and engine wise (though not anymore with the new 3.5 DI) the C class has always sold in droves compared to the now aging IS. The C class is a threat even though it doesnt look like it on paper

 

Nearly 70% of C-classes are leased, compared to just 53% for the IS. Exceptional lease deals are what move German cars these days, and Lexus hasn't always been too big on that. No matter how good the next GS or IS are, or how they're priced, they will be outsold by the German competition unless Lexus can offer competitive lease deals.

Unfortunately quality and reliability does not seem to matter much in segments where people lease and ditch once the warranty is up before moving on to whatever fashion accessory is in style next.

 

I would rather Lexus not chase after the deals for volume sake, and Mark Templin has said they're more concerned about taking care of customers and being the best.

Mercedes and BMW may have loads of sales thanks to their leases and incentives, but when those leases are up, the used market is flooded with off-lease cars and further depressing the resale. I'm sure Lexus likes the fact that the majority of their car sales go to owners who keep them longer than the warranty and not lessee's.

 

This report is full of timeline errors and misconceptions. Car campanies are moving to longer model runs, not shorter. Those quickies from Ford and GM were moves out of bankruptcy, desperation, and disorganization. Hyundai and Kia are building out their companies from an embarassing past, so they are on a fast pace run that doesn't match the industry. Healthy car companies, such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Audi, BMW etc, do not have to speed up new model debuts. Their products are generally strong enough to last the 5-6 years.

 

This article is like a grain of salt, unless I hear it from Lexus I wouldn't take it too serious most of it. Softtop Lexus? Summer 2012 for ES? Doesn't ES usually come out same time as the new generations Camrys. New RX so soon? Maybe a facelift I doubt a redesign. Sounds like a bunch of unofficial news.

 

A hybrid GS-F doesn't sound good to me at all ......

 

That's just what they did 5 years ago, in 2006......stiffened the suspension and put on lower-profile-tires. And it took away some of the former version's silky-smooth ride.

The ES is not supposed to be a sport-sedan. It was meant to be a soft-riding cruiser, and if it wallows a little under hard cornering, so be it. For those who want handling, there is always the IS.

The engineers, however, WOULD be wise to consider giving the ES an AWD option......something that, IMO, it should have gotten years ago.

 

IMO the ES still has that siky smooth ride, and it still wallows if you push it. My guess is that knowing the demographics of ES buyers (older/conservative) the new one won't have any radcial changes in terms of ride and handling. A little tightening up here and there wouldn't hurt things.

 

The Insideline article broke on Autoblog this morning. I'm surprised Autoblog went with it considering it has so many holes...

 

Hoovey nice post..

Andrew, GS Fh doesn't sound good?

 

F Hybrid, I've been thinking/hoping Lexus would give it to us! SC-Fh not too far behind.

 

Just GS-F sounds a whole lot better ......

 

i prefer the gsf to be louder and more "sound / music", hybrid is too quiet

 

So GS in early 2012, IS in late 2012, and ES in summer 2012. I rarely see three sedans get redesigned in the same year. But that's good. Lexus sedans have been around almost unchanged for five years or so already, it's time to see some changes.

 

i still wonder why they don't try to split up the releases further apart from each other. that will give lexus something new more often