peteharvey

5 Series sales figures have always included wagons, though 5 Series wagons sold in only very small numbers, yet 2003-10 5th gen E60 peaked at 57k units/year, while the 2010-17 6th gen F10 5 Series was able to rise in sales to 60k+/year USA.

Thus, regardless of the extra availability of body styles like coupes & wagons [which didn't account for much volume anyway], sales of 5 Series still rose during the successive era, while 4GS sales fell by a whopping 30%.

Vladi

Exactly. Neither will Lexus in one more generation. Only flagships will remain RWD.

RNM GS3

situman

Looking at the current promotions and incentives, it is ez to see why sales fell off a cliff while the GX is setting sales records of its own.

UDel

The 8 cylinder GS's sold in much higher numbers then the hybrids, that goes for all of the market, you can basically count on one hand the number of hybrid GS's, 5 series, E class, etc sold each month. Nobody buys them, buyers still choose 8 cylinders when available and even high performance versions of those sedans over hybrids yet they keep coming out with hybrids nobody buys. I don't think styling had much to do with GS sales at first because sales were good at first and most said it is a nice looking car, the 5 series and A6 is no looker either. Jag makes nice swoopy sedans and they don't sell.

The 2016 styling update, putting a 4cyl as a base engine, raising price on the 6 cylinder, taking away good lease deals/regular deals is when sales of the 4th Gen GS collapsed. The big problem is you pay too much more for a GS over a ES when they are pretty similar especially now that you only get a 4cyl with the base GS and the ES is a 6 cylinder. A 8 cylinder option for the GS would have made it more distinctive and desirable over a ES.

Buyers are not desiring 4 cyl turbo's in mid sized luxury sedans, it is more it is the only entry choices they are being given mainly by the Germans and the cheap lease deals are the 4 cylinders, Caddy dropped their 4cyl turbo from the CT6 because sales were so poor and it did not suit the car.

mmarshall

One would think not, but the Lincoln MKZ mid-sized sedan seems to sell with a base 2.0T. I agree, though.....that was one reason why I did not get one....I initially liked the 2017 mid-cycle refresh, but the MKZ does not offer a N/A V6, and I don't think that a base 2.0T belongs in a car of that class.

SW17LS

MKZ is in a different class than the GS.

mmarshall

True, but we all know the true reason that the small turbo fours are proliferating where V6s and V8s used to be.....CAFE. That's one reason why I hope that the Trump Administration is successful in rolling back the latest bump in the CAFE standards.

TF109B

Would be nice, but probably gonna have to get past that big loony state that starts with a C first.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

UDel

Of course the 4cyl E class sold great when the new gen came out, it was the only E class you could get at first, they are buying and leasing more 4 cylinders because the 4 cylinders are the cheapest ones and the good lease deals. Once you step up to a 6 cylinder the price is much much higher and there aren't great lease deals for the 6 cylinders. Jumping from a 4 to a 6 carries the same general premium what upgrading to a 8 cylinder from a 6 cylinder used to be which is why many just get the 4 cyl.

If the price was the same or within less then $1000 for a 4cyl or 6cyl I doubt many buyers would choose the 4cyl over the 6 especially in a mid size luxury car.

GS350Miami

Former GS owner here. Boy, I miss her. Happy with my RX350 f sport but have to admit that the GS is one to remember. Today, coincidentally, I saw one GS in atomic silver go by looking classy and almost timeless. Nightfall mica (like my old car) was also another great color. I hope Lexus brings back something along the lines of GS.

mikedozz

hope so as well, leased_owned 4 GSs since 2008, love the car! Perfect balance of luxury n sport, it was neglected for 5 years which is why it sold poorly, look at all the hype n promotions now on the IS350, selling very well.