The real reason that the Lexus GS is selling badly because the last all new version dated back to January 2012.
The second reason is the all new 2018-onwards 7ES sedan with FWD & MacPherson struts for the budget midsize luxury market.
The third reason is that Lexus' own midsize tall wagon in the RX takes 110k/year sales.

Look at Mercedes.
The E Class sells 39k/year - despite its high prices.
The GLE tall wagen sells 49k/year - despite its higher prices.
Meanwhile, the all new 2018-25 CLS 4 Door Gran Coupe only managed 941 units in its first full year in 2019 USA.
At its peak, the CLS 4 Door Gran Coupe in 2005 sold 14835, while in 2012 the 2nd gen peaked at 8066.

Likewise BMW.
The 5 Series sells 38k/year USA.
The X5 tall wagen sells the same 38k/year USA.
Meanwhile from March 2012 to September 2018, the 6 Series Gran Coupe sold only: 2012 8208, 2013 9762, 2014 8647, 2015 8146, 2016 3947, 2017 3355 and 2018 3762.

Ditto Audi.
A6.
Q7 tall wagen.
However, in February 2018 Audi released an all new A7 Fastback with 4055 brand new sales in 2019.

Going back to the GS - think of it along the lines of Mercedes' CLS and BMW 6 Series 4 Door Gran Coupes, or Audi's A7 Fastback for sales.
Sure the volume is low, but the Germans don't do any axing, and they continue to spawn brand new re-iterations every 7 years.

 

The G80 isn't oversized, it's roughly the same as the current Lexus ES and the rest of the Germans.

If anything, it's the GS that is tiny. It's by far the smallest "midsize sedan" in its segment, resulting in its cramped interior space. And that lack of interior space is another big reason why the ES is cannibalizing all GS sales.

 

I have to agree, one of the few complaints I have about my 4th Gen GS is it is a little cramped in the back when it comes to leg room, I expected it to be more roomy especially considering all the rear controls the lux has, I sit with the seat pretty far back and reclined when I drive, when I have rear seat passengers I have to move my seat forward quite a bit to give them decent leg room. I like how the Genesis G80 is a bit larger then most mid sized sedans and has more room.

 

The GS is a sport sedan and it can't be too big. The ES size is too big to be a sport sedan and is harder to control.

Big Sedans = Highway Cruisers

 

That logic doesn't work when the current 5-Series is both larger than the GS and a vastly superior handling machine. And Lexus already has the IS- so what does the GS offer to ES buyers if its one true advantage against the IS (space) is still far behind the ES?

 

I've been saying that since 'Day 1'. I think many so-called 'compact' cars, like the Toyota Corolla for example, have much more rear seat leg room than the GS 350. When I know I'll be having rear seat passengers I'll drive a different vehicle.

 

What else do ya drive BC?

 

Charley, I intentionally don't reveal that kind of thing. It's unimportant when the topic is Lexus and it's generally unwanted and not fair to discuss other brands here. I actually did own another Lexus model until recently, but have never once posted in that forum. I enjoy the 4GS forum because it is fairly active and I enjoy the personalities of many of the people here. I use the GS 350 as my golf club toting car and that's what I drive when I go practice or play golf as the trunk is filled with golf clubs, golf bag, golf shoes, golf *****, umbrellas, towels and other golf related stuff. It's like an old pair of favorite sweat pants you don't dare get rid of...

 

I think my GS has a bigger trunk than my ES.

Anyway I got the GS not to sit in the back but to drive it because it has good driving dynamics and a good size (for ME!). This car is so easy to maneuver in a tight parking lot and small streets and not too cramped like the IS. The ES handles all the weekend family duties.

 

He has flying cars.

 

 

See I knew it!

 

Gotcha! I have a mint condition Yugo that I don't tell anyone that I have.

 

 

But.. Does it fly too? I bet it flies too.