If the LS isn't selling well why not drop the model and make the ES a little bigger and it become the flagship of the Lexus brand.

 

"A flagship model in the automotive sense is the best, largest and the most important model in the fleet that's designed to showcase the very best that a manufacturer can do. They are designed to be the pinnacle and a moving advertisement for all other models in the range."

Flagships are considered to be at the top of an automotive manufacturer's line up which includes prestige and exclusiveness.

The ES being an embellished Toyota Camry would not fit the bill nor prestigious enough, but rather an entry level luxury car rather than a flagship.

 

Wrong Wheel Drive

 

And there is no reason all that you have said can't be incorporated into a new ES model or new letter designation to become the flagship. The Es is due a redesign anyway.

 

Im thinking it will be a high styled Crown(american version) sized EV type vehicle. Not saying the same platform.
ES might be its best sedan and it sells well because of the price.
The GS is gone. It was above the ES.

 

ES is a very nice car, but it’s entry level luxury model, not a flagship model. It will never be one for many of the reasons listed above.

If a new LS generation doesn’t come out, the flagship title will likely shift to a LUV/SUV model.

 

I am anticipating this to be the case in the next several years to replace my LS. I waited for 15 years for a MDX-size Lexus SUV. The new TX will be a bit big for use as daily, and without trippled-beam led, bench seating 2nd row on top trim, and with basically Grand Highlander design and styling, I don't consider it a proper Lexus. A Lexus LUV becomes more and more appealing.

 

I mean they could. There are a lot of cool cars that would be canceled because of that logic. Mazda sells over 80% SUV's now but they still make the Mazda 3 and MX-5 (miata), just to name one off of the top of my head. I think Lexus keeps the LS around for brand image and to keep the fight with the German luxury sedans. The Lexus brand was built on the first LS in 1989, and while they have changed as a company, I think there is still space for a Japanese luxury sedan in the current market. If the company plans for it, they can still make money (or at least not lose as much) with smaller volume production lines. Lexus spent over 1 billion dollars in the 80's to develop the technology that spanked the S-class for a decade or so. That's ~2.5 billion in today's money. Just for one car. I don't know how much they are spending on the EV transition, solid state battery stuff, but I hope they debut all the new tech on the next LS to continue the legacy.

 

things change. The German builds sell really well in China and with that it justifies their sales. Not Japanese brands.
With US market not buying sedans its a very limited market.

Cars like the hatch versions of X3, X5(6) and the Audi lines as well are sedan type but offer a bridge to the platforms they construct.
The LS and LC are stand alone platforms. The LC or LF is and can be the flagship loss leader for appearance. LC is a great car!!!
If one is spending 100k or more EV's and hybrids sell very well there.
Its not about kicking the S-Class to the curb any more. Lexus styled the LS500 AWAY from that in my opinion for a reason. The S-class is not the target anymore.

Things change. That never changes.

 

the era of the sedan is over.
the next flagship will be an suv.
they are already talking about the new rx having more feature options than any lexus before it.
the new TX comes out in fall?