INTERVIEW: Yoshihiko Kanamori, Lexus GS chief engineer, Lexus Group
06-16-12, 06:25 AM
#16
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b/c sadly the M is a huge flop again. Some months they don't sell 1,000 a month and reviews have been lackluster to poor. The market clearly desires the E/5/GS most years.
06-16-12, 08:22 AM
#17
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There's been discussion over on the 4GS subforum that the ES and GS are essentially competing in the same midsized luxury segment with most buyers (not being driving enthusiasts) opting for the cheaper roomier ES.
A German car shopper can only choose one midsize luxury car within that particular brand (either an A6 or E class or 5 series), whether or not he is driving enthusiast or just shopping for point A to B daily driver. OTOH, a Lexus fan shopping in the midsize luxury car segment can choose between a GS (for 5 series-beating driving dynamics) or an ES (for a luxurious spacious ride.)
I read somewhere that Roundel, the BMW magazine for NA , conducted a survey and most 3 series owners don't know(or care) that their cars were RWD or FWD. Hypothetically, if BMW or MB were to offer a FWD version of the 5/E for cheaper, same as the price differential between the ES and GS, would the proportion opting for the cheaper and roomier FWD version (since there's no longer a space occupying transmission tunnel) be the same as the breakdown between ES-GS sales?
Perhaps the biggest enemy/competitor to GS sales isn't the Genesis, the 5er or the E-class or even weaknesses in the GS platform itself but the existence of the ES. If I were a Lexus aficionado and not interested in an involving drive, why not get the cheaper roomier car wearing the same badge?
A German car shopper can only choose one midsize luxury car within that particular brand (either an A6 or E class or 5 series), whether or not he is driving enthusiast or just shopping for point A to B daily driver. OTOH, a Lexus fan shopping in the midsize luxury car segment can choose between a GS (for 5 series-beating driving dynamics) or an ES (for a luxurious spacious ride.)
I read somewhere that Roundel, the BMW magazine for NA , conducted a survey and most 3 series owners don't know(or care) that their cars were RWD or FWD. Hypothetically, if BMW or MB were to offer a FWD version of the 5/E for cheaper, same as the price differential between the ES and GS, would the proportion opting for the cheaper and roomier FWD version (since there's no longer a space occupying transmission tunnel) be the same as the breakdown between ES-GS sales?
Perhaps the biggest enemy/competitor to GS sales isn't the Genesis, the 5er or the E-class or even weaknesses in the GS platform itself but the existence of the ES. If I were a Lexus aficionado and not interested in an involving drive, why not get the cheaper roomier car wearing the same badge?
Last edited by natnut; 06-16-12 at 08:31 AM.
06-16-12, 09:21 AM
#18
Well, at least the GS is selling really well in Las Vegas area. The dealerships don't have enough GS to sell, you either have to order one, or forced to get whatever model they have in stock, which means less desired combo/options. I think Lexus is doing a good job. As for the ES and GS, to a car guy like me, they are nothing alike and serve completely different purpose.
either way, lexus is definitely stepping it up! 
06-17-12, 02:13 PM
#21
True, the ES competes with GS sales.
However personally, I wouldn't axe the ES; I would continue to sell the twin model line up.
The twin model line up actually offers more choice to the customer, and is theoretically capable of bigger total sales volume.
ES Sales, USA:
2005: 67,577
2006: 75,987
2007: 82,867
GS Sales, USA:
2005: 33,457
2006: 27,390
2007: 23,381
When both the 3GS was new in 2005, and the 5ES was new in 2006, their combined sales were quite strong, at about 100k units/yr.
Combined sales may be higher than E Class and 5 Series.
Combined sales dropped off as the models aged, and with the recession from October 2008 onwards.
The Acura RL is so so old now; it's been around since 2005; too long in the tooth - the ES gets a new model every 5 years...
However personally, I wouldn't axe the ES; I would continue to sell the twin model line up.
The twin model line up actually offers more choice to the customer, and is theoretically capable of bigger total sales volume.
ES Sales, USA:
2005: 67,577
2006: 75,987
2007: 82,867
GS Sales, USA:
2005: 33,457
2006: 27,390
2007: 23,381
When both the 3GS was new in 2005, and the 5ES was new in 2006, their combined sales were quite strong, at about 100k units/yr.
Combined sales may be higher than E Class and 5 Series.
Combined sales dropped off as the models aged, and with the recession from October 2008 onwards.
The Acura RL is so so old now; it's been around since 2005; too long in the tooth - the ES gets a new model every 5 years...
06-17-12, 04:26 PM
#22
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Infiniti M sales figures are less than the GS :
Link :
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/search/...?max-results=5
Link :
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/search/...?max-results=5
A lot of people complain about how 5 series is getting too soft and such. I drove a 550i with M sport package and I have to agree. It felt heavy and not as nimble, but the power delivery was quite scary. 550i was every bit as fast or faster than M3. Just felt too heavy...
However, sales numbers don't lie. BMW 5 is still the king. GS isn't quite there yet to play with the big boys.
06-18-12, 05:56 AM
#23
holy smoke! Thanks for sharing.
A lot of people complain about how 5 series is getting too soft and such. I drove a 550i with M sport package and I have to agree. It felt heavy and not as nimble, but the power delivery was quite scary. 550i was every bit as fast or faster than M3. Just felt too heavy...
However, sales numbers don't lie. BMW 5 is still the king. GS isn't quite there yet to play with the big boys.
A lot of people complain about how 5 series is getting too soft and such. I drove a 550i with M sport package and I have to agree. It felt heavy and not as nimble, but the power delivery was quite scary. 550i was every bit as fast or faster than M3. Just felt too heavy...
However, sales numbers don't lie. BMW 5 is still the king. GS isn't quite there yet to play with the big boys.
2-3 years ago when it was still fairly "fresh", ES would have outsold all of those.
06-18-12, 08:00 AM
#24
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ES isn't in the same class as 5,E, and GS. I am not sure why people keep on using the same argument.
06-18-12, 11:56 AM
#26
Surprised it hasn't been discussed directly at all here but does this article lessen some of the belief that a high hp V8 BMW killing (or at least equal) GS-F is coming down the pipeline in the near future?
Or are people reading the 'laughs and smiles' responses to mean 400hp?
Or are people reading the 'laughs and smiles' responses to mean 400hp?
06-18-12, 03:52 PM
#29
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Makes no sense....they better have something up their sleeves.
06-18-12, 05:03 PM
#30
Yeah no V-8 is whack....to talk about the environment and the same damn company offers a 5.0 V-8 in the IS F, LS 600h L and a V-10 in the LFA is quite ridiculous. I could understand Lexus didn't have or offer one V-8. Hell the GX and LX have them too.
Makes no sense....they better have something up their sleeves.
Makes no sense....they better have something up their sleeves.