RNM GS3

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iTrader: (2)

Apparently not challenged enough to be doing virtually the same number of sales as the S Class and 7 Series for the month of Sept 2018.

peteharvey

I would have thought plenty of challenges for Lexus too.

The current model S Class first released in 2013, in its first full year of sales in 2014 slammed nearly 25,000 units in the US, is now 5 years old, and about to be replaced mid-2020; in other words, less than 24 months away.

The current 7 Series with blander BMW styling is about mid-life, first released in mid-2015, in its first full year in 2016 slammed 13,000 units in the US, and now past 3 years old, with a new model due mid 2022.

5LS is selling below target of 1k/month.
5LS will be flat out reaching 10,000 units/year in its first full year.


Sedan sales don't necessarily decline due to SUV tall wagons.
Sedan sales can also diminish due to poor styling and poor design [engineering].
For example, the 2006 Infiniti Q45 which was axed - not due to SUV sales, but due to poor styling and poor design.







Another excellent example of diminishing sales due to poor styling and poor design is Acura.
The original reasonably stylish with cheap price 1st gen 1985-90 Acura Legend sold over 70,000 units/year USA.



The second gen 1990-95 Acura Legend sold over 65,000 units/year USA was stylish, with a front mid-engine, but at a much higher price.





The third gen 1994-04 Acura RL with bland styling had peak sales of a paltry 16,000 units/year USA.
Third gen had the same front mid-engine, but styling became bland while prices were very high - hence sales plummeted!






The fourth gen 2004-12 likewise peaked at only 17,000 units/year USA.
4th gen lost the longitudinal front mid-engine with long wheelbase.






The very poorly styled current fifth gen 2012- Acura RLX peaked sales at only 5,000 units/year USA.
By 5th gen, sales is the pits now.
It is NOT mainly due to SUV tall wagon sales, because even the 3GS peaked at 33k, while 4GS peaked at 22k, while 5 Series peaked at 57k, with E Class rising to 69k/year!
It is Acura's own fault.
Infiniti faulted with the Q45 in the 1990's and 2000's.

Likewise, Lexus 5LS has its own faults, but thankfully, I suspect 5LS is only a one-off slip of the tongue, rather than a continuous full fledgling decline of the entire range like Infiniti and Acura.
I don't believe that Lexus is declining like Infiniti and Acura at all.
Most of the latest Lexus vehicles are very well styled like 7ES and UX.






Focus more on the internal styling and engineering [design] of the motor vehicle - rather than externally blaming it on SUV tall wagons.
There are actually other factors causing the decline in sales too - including external factors like the European/German fightback!

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