Future of the Lexus GS around the world
05-03-18, 07:00 PM
#391
Lexus Test Driver
Mercedes could gobble up a lot of ES sales if it was brave and crazy enough to come up with a FWD sedan slotted between the C and E-class but cheaper than both. I don't think they will though, they want to maintain their image in the market and not cannibalize E-class sales. The small A, CLA, GLA and B-class are the only FWD models in the Benz lineup - they have decent sales figures in Europe but they're too small for the US market.
Another irony is that the dumpy-looking B-class sells a lot more units than the GS in Europe. Beyond the tiny yet vocal enthusiast crowd, most people don't care about RWD vs FWD architectures and handling dynamics doesn't figure into their purchase decisions. It's the badge that counts.
Another irony is that the dumpy-looking B-class sells a lot more units than the GS in Europe. Beyond the tiny yet vocal enthusiast crowd, most people don't care about RWD vs FWD architectures and handling dynamics doesn't figure into their purchase decisions. It's the badge that counts.
05-03-18, 08:34 PM
#392
Lexus Test Driver
Again as i have said for years, If ES did not exist then GS would have no issue selling on par with 5series and Eclass. Unfortunately Toyota is so greedy that the massive profits generated by rebadged Camry are too hard to pass up. Brand equity be damned.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
Last edited by RNM GS3; 05-03-18 at 08:37 PM.
05-03-18, 08:36 PM
#393
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by chromedome
Mercedes could gobble up a lot of ES sales if it was brave and crazy enough to come up with a FWD sedan slotted between the C and E-class but cheaper than both. I don't think they will though, they want to maintain their image in the market and not cannibalize E-class sales. The small A, CLA, GLA and B-class are the only FWD models in the Benz lineup - they have decent sales figures in Europe but they're too small for the US market.
Another irony is that the dumpy-looking B-class sells a lot more units than the GS in Europe. Beyond the tiny yet vocal enthusiast crowd, most people don't care about RWD vs FWD architectures and handling dynamics doesn't figure into their purchase decisions. It's the badge that counts.
Another irony is that the dumpy-looking B-class sells a lot more units than the GS in Europe. Beyond the tiny yet vocal enthusiast crowd, most people don't care about RWD vs FWD architectures and handling dynamics doesn't figure into their purchase decisions. It's the badge that counts.
A fwd midsize platform would dilute the brand for both Mercedes and bmw. They are better without it.
05-03-18, 10:12 PM
#394
Lexus Test Driver
Again as i have said for years, If ES did not exist then GS would have no issue selling on par with 5series and Eclass. Unfortunately Toyota is so greedy that the massive profits generated by rebadged Camry are too hard to pass up. Brand equity be damned.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
The problem is Toyota doesn't want to lose profits from a badge-engineered Camry/Avalon. They rather take the cash from the ES than make a good car like the GS. Don't take this the wrong way though - I don't think the ES is a bad car. I think the ES is a good car for what it is, its just not a good driver's car.
05-04-18, 02:25 AM
#395
Advanced
Sad to hear that but not surprising. The GS was very poor in selling quantities here and even the used models are selling poorly, you must sell them cheaper than a IS to have them going away. The CT, RX and the IS are really popular in the other hand.
05-04-18, 03:21 AM
#396
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
i believe you've said you might be interested in the new ES, but a) i think that's only a near luxury vehicle (basically a nicer camry/avalon), and b) this thread is about the GS anyway.
05-04-18, 03:26 AM
#397
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
I don’t think RWD is going away at Lexus. It’s just that to make money in the midsize, mid priced segment is going to be more difficult than ever. Prices are going up and Trump is ruining things in North America. A recession is eventually going to happen, it will be massive. Gas prices are going up and will stay high. Food prices are already very high in the US compared to Canada. So I don’t think a $40K-$60K imported from Japan is going to be feasible. I do get what you are trying to say though.
i don't know what food prices have to do with whether a new GS is possible
but as far as importing from japan, i think the two most successful lexus models in the u.s. are not made in japan.
05-04-18, 05:57 AM
#398
Lexus Fanatic
we can leave the politic rants out please. as far as a recession, saying we will have one is hardly a great prediction. no one can say whether it will be 'massive' or not. the last one caused by the housing crisis was beyond massive.
i don't know what food prices have to do with whether a new GS is possible but as far as importing from japan, i think the two most successful lexus models in the u.s. are not made in japan.
i don't know what food prices have to do with whether a new GS is possible
but as far as importing from japan, i think the two most successful lexus models in the u.s. are not made in japan.
05-04-18, 06:46 AM
#399
Again as i have said for years, If ES did not exist then GS would have no issue selling on par with 5series and Eclass. Unfortunately Toyota is so greedy that the massive profits generated by rebadged Camry are too hard to pass up. Brand equity be damned.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
Im sure MB and BMW can also go all FWD and reap massive profits as most people will still buy them.
Not to mention that most of Mercedes A, B, C, GLA, CLA come with 1.5l Renault engine that goes into $10k Clio with same output.
As to the Autobahn and safe driving comment from other user, I just wonder how do we all manage in Europe with 90% FWD cars on Autobahn... I drive my wives Nissan with 90hp at 100mph with no problems.
05-04-18, 07:00 AM
#400
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by spwolf
but most MB and BMW growth comes from FWD platforms, and all of Audi growth is in FWD platforms. X1, X2, A, GLA, CLA were massive volume drivers for thier companies, same as A1, A3, A4, Q1, Q2, Q3 almost all sold 90% as FWD in Europe. Even Q5, A5, A6 these days are mostly FWD vehicles, which use same engines and same platform as cheap Skoda's.
Not to mention that most of Mercedes A, B, C, GLA, CLA come with 1.5l Renault engine that goes into $10k Clio with same output.
As to the Autobahn and safe driving comment from other user, I just wonder how do we all manage in Europe with 90% FWD cars on Autobahn... I drive my wives Nissan with 90hp at 100mph with no problems.
Not to mention that most of Mercedes A, B, C, GLA, CLA come with 1.5l Renault engine that goes into $10k Clio with same output.
As to the Autobahn and safe driving comment from other user, I just wonder how do we all manage in Europe with 90% FWD cars on Autobahn... I drive my wives Nissan with 90hp at 100mph with no problems.
05-04-18, 08:10 AM
#401
Pole Position
They should either create a brand new model or just let the GS die. That model adds no value whatsoever. Even the Camry suffered a sales drop last month. It just doesnt make sense to have 4 car models and 2 coupes in the SUV age. Dump the RC too or make it into an IS coupe and consolidate the models. Resources are better spent on the LF1 or the next GX and LX.
05-04-18, 09:41 AM
#402
Lexus Test Driver
They should either create a brand new model or just let the GS die. That model adds no value whatsoever. Even the Camry suffered a sales drop last month. It just doesnt make sense to have 4 car models and 2 coupes in the SUV age. Dump the RC too or make it into an IS coupe and consolidate the models. Resources are better spent on the LF1 or the next GX and LX.
05-04-18, 09:46 AM
#403
Lexus Champion
I'm not sure that gas prices are really going to hurt the SUV craze all that much. Gas is already getting more expensive again and doesn't appear to have slowed down their sales at all. Current SUVs/CUVs are getting more efficient all of the time.
05-04-18, 10:24 AM
#405
Lexus Champion
