Lexus GS Sedan Not Going Anywhere, Will Continue Sales in North America

Posted by Kevin on June 12th, 2018

Lexus will continue to sell the GS sports sedan in North America for the foreseeable future, as confirmed with both Lexus USA and Lexus Canada.

“The Lexus GS has been an important part of the Lexus line-up since 1993 and we value its role as a sports sedan,” Lexus USA spokesperson Ed Hellwig explained over email. “We will continue to offer the GS in the United States, and will evaluate how best to meet our customers’ needs going forward.”

The future of the GS sports sedan was called into question recently when Lexus Europe discontinued the model due to new emission regulations. It will be replaced in the region by the new seventh-generation ES sedan.

Despite the promise of continued sales, there is no guarantee the GS will see a next-generation model. Lexus would not comment on future product plans.

CanadaLexus GS: Fourth GenerationUSA
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Comments
mikeavelli
Carmaker1
And it is curtains for the GS indeed. :mad: Despite having brought cancellation rumour to surface in late 2016 straight from Japan, I backtracked upon discussing it some months later with a few parties in spring 2017. Last week, I spoke with a Lexus UK rep who I ran into at a Lexus dealer outside London. He has confirmed for me, it will indeed be solely replaced by the ES. The L10 successor is no longer on schedule. In now reviewing recently updated industry database info for suppliers, some still say the same info and a few state "TBD".

The idea for the UK market, is to offer the new ES as a discount alternative to the G30 5-Series and W213 E-Class, just as the LS was targeted as a discount alternative to the W222 (and upcoming W223 S-Class), that sits between the E-class and S-Class. A new GS will no longer be coming this decade.

This idea works with LS (somewhat), but with the ES, I don't know about that at all. It is not convincing to me and a terribly cynical marketing exercise.

As for the next IS sedan, he has seen that car and it is roughly 2 years away (UK market). The RC might be absorbed into the 4IS lineup, by 2022. The possibility of forgoing the entry level luxury 2-door market was not answered directly by him, as product planning hasn't progressed to that point from what he currently knows.

Regarding the GS, I am very disappointed, after all this back and forth the past year. I want know why the individuals who confirmed 300B was coming last spring (to me privately), got their internal info from and how they missed any internal changes along the way. Especially if they attended internal showcases or had certain responsibilities, which provides privileged access.

And for those suggesting it will become a crossover, well...uhm...no it won't. :confused: Anything that uses the current nomenclature clearly will not bear the name GS, if anything other than a sedan. GX is already taken up, for the next 5 years at minimum, and GC =/= GS. GX will be updated heavily next year.

A 4-door, 4-seater sports car could bear the name GS though (just not next year at this point), but how do they justify the application of GS for a "coupe" model? Simply put, if the GS is dead as a 4-door sedan, it is simply GONE. A crossover will never be a GS, particularly when again, a nameplate factors in. The LF-1 under Project 650B will utilize flagship nomenclature and cannot use "S" in its naming. LX SportCross makes more sense. Mid-range crossover will clash with RX and NX and I don't see them doing such a model anyway, outside of a flagship model a la LF-1.

Unless this car is still being developed so much on the low as an extremely niche product (like Ford GT), I can't understand why a new GS-F was ongoing some months ago?:confused:
Stomach churns reading this....

I would be shocked Akio approved no GS, replace with ES and no way there will be a ES F. It seems like something he would protest.

Something is up. That would leave only the RC F as the only F product. And Lexus is Racing and developing F. Obviously the F marque cannot survive with one product which is now older.

Could this possibly happen
Next IS moves up, IS F offered
New sedan slotted below IS, CT (note Benz is bringing an A class to the states, they already have the CLA)
RC F continues (I'm hearing there is significant investment going into the RC F still)
LS F/LC F
GS brought back???

And I find it really just sad that the amazing name SC (a marketing dream) is not used anymore and the awesome name GS might be gone too. Two just amazing names for a luxury vehicle.

I hate to be "that guy" but Mercedes just released an E53 AMG with 429hp. They have the maniacal E63 already.

BMW still offers the 456hp V-8 550 here which does 0-60 much faster than the GS F (3.9 seconds) with AWD. . Now they have the maniacal 600hp M5.

It seems the new BMW M8501 (not a full M) will get a 530hp engine.
mikeavelli
Carmaker1
And it is curtains for the GS indeed. :mad: Despite having brought cancellation rumour to surface in late 2016 straight from Japan, I backtracked upon discussing it some months later with a few parties in spring 2017. Last week, I spoke with a Lexus UK rep who I ran into at a Lexus dealer outside London. He has confirmed for me, it will indeed be solely replaced by the ES. The L10 successor is no longer on schedule. In now reviewing recently updated industry database info for suppliers, some still say the same info and a few state "TBD".

The idea for the UK market, is to offer the new ES as a discount alternative to the G30 5-Series and W213 E-Class, just as the LS was targeted as a discount alternative to the W222 (and upcoming W223 S-Class), that sits between the E-class and S-Class. A new GS will no longer be coming this decade.

This idea works with LS (somewhat), but with the ES, I don't know about that at all. It is not convincing to me and a terribly cynical marketing exercise.

As for the next IS sedan, he has seen that car and it is roughly 2 years away (UK market). The RC might be absorbed into the 4IS lineup, by 2022. The possibility of forgoing the entry level luxury 2-door market was not answered directly by him, as product planning hasn't progressed to that point from what he currently knows.

Regarding the GS, I am very disappointed, after all this back and forth the past year. I want know why the individuals who confirmed 300B was coming last spring (to me privately), got their internal info from and how they missed any internal changes along the way. Especially if they attended internal showcases or had certain responsibilities, which provides privileged access.

And for those suggesting it will become a crossover, well...uhm...no it won't. :confused: Anything that uses the current nomenclature clearly will not bear the name GS, if anything other than a sedan. GX is already taken up, for the next 5 years at minimum, and GC =/= GS. GX will be updated heavily next year.

A 4-door, 4-seater sports car could bear the name GS though (just not next year at this point), but how do they justify the application of GS for a "coupe" model? Simply put, if the GS is dead as a 4-door sedan, it is simply GONE. A crossover will never be a GS, particularly when again, a nameplate factors in. The LF-1 under Project 650B will utilize flagship nomenclature and cannot use "S" in its naming. LX SportCross makes more sense. Mid-range crossover will clash with RX and NX and I don't see them doing such a model anyway, outside of a flagship model a la LF-1.

Unless this car is still being developed so much on the low as an extremely niche product (like Ford GT), I can't understand why a new GS-F was ongoing some months ago?:confused:
Stomach churns reading this....

I would be shocked Akio approved no GS, replace with ES and no way there will be a ES F. It seems like something he would protest.

Something is up. That would leave only the RC F as the only F product. And Lexus is Racing and developing F. Obviously the F marque cannot survive with one product which is now older.

Could this possibly happen
Next IS moves up, IS F offered
New sedan slotted below IS, CT (note Benz is bringing an A class to the states, they already have the CLA)
RC F continues (I'm hearing there is significant investment going into the RC F still)
LS F/LC F
GS brought back???

And I find it really just sad that the amazing name SC (a marketing dream) is not used anymore and the awesome name GS might be gone too. Two just amazing names for a luxury vehicle.

I hate to be "that guy" but Mercedes just released an E53 AMG with 429hp. They have the maniacal E63 already.

BMW still offers the 456hp V-8 550 here which does 0-60 much faster than the GS F (3.9 seconds) with AWD. . Now they have the maniacal 600hp M5.

It seems the new BMW M8501 (not a full M) will get a 530hp engine.
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
maiaramdan
Ian Schmidt
Some context: Ford has announced they're killing all non-SUVs/CUVs/trucks except the Mustang and Fiesta. I think that's going a little too far in on the SUV/CUV craze, but at this point I don't know what could reverse it.
Gas prices could reverse it
maiaramdan
Ian Schmidt
Some context: Ford has announced they're killing all non-SUVs/CUVs/trucks except the Mustang and Fiesta. I think that's going a little too far in on the SUV/CUV craze, but at this point I don't know what could reverse it.
Gas prices could reverse it
maiaramdan
Ian Schmidt
Some context: Ford has announced they're killing all non-SUVs/CUVs/trucks except the Mustang and Fiesta. I think that's going a little too far in on the SUV/CUV craze, but at this point I don't know what could reverse it.
Gas prices could reverse it
maiaramdan
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
maiaramdan
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
maiaramdan
mikeavelli
BTW whats up with the Toyota Crown?
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
S
maiaramdan
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
There are a lot of rumors saying it will become FWD and no longer share platform with IS, which is a very confusing business decision.
S
maiaramdan
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
There are a lot of rumors saying it will become FWD and no longer share platform with IS, which is a very confusing business decision.
S
maiaramdan
Maybe this will be a solution in all countries replacing the GS, but in other question what's up with the Mark-X will Toyota kill it also and concentrate only on the Crown or they will have a next generation of it
There are a lot of rumors saying it will become FWD and no longer share platform with IS, which is a very confusing business decision.
Ian Schmidt
maiaramdan
Gas prices could reverse it
This is 2018. Unibody CUVs get comparable (and sometimes better) mileage vs. sedans in the same size class, which is why the last period of high gas prices never stopped the RX / RDX / CR-V and friends.
Ian Schmidt
maiaramdan
Gas prices could reverse it
This is 2018. Unibody CUVs get comparable (and sometimes better) mileage vs. sedans in the same size class, which is why the last period of high gas prices never stopped the RX / RDX / CR-V and friends.
Ian Schmidt
maiaramdan
Gas prices could reverse it
This is 2018. Unibody CUVs get comparable (and sometimes better) mileage vs. sedans in the same size class, which is why the last period of high gas prices never stopped the RX / RDX / CR-V and friends.
Gecko
mikeavelli
I hate to be "that guy" but Mercedes just released an E53 AMG with 429hp. They have the maniacal E63 already.

BMW still offers the 456hp V-8 550 here which does 0-60 much faster than the GS F (3.9 seconds) with AWD. . Now they have the maniacal 600hp M5.

It seems the new BMW M8501 (not a full M) will get a 530hp engine.
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
Gecko
mikeavelli
I hate to be "that guy" but Mercedes just released an E53 AMG with 429hp. They have the maniacal E63 already.

BMW still offers the 456hp V-8 550 here which does 0-60 much faster than the GS F (3.9 seconds) with AWD. . Now they have the maniacal 600hp M5.

It seems the new BMW M8501 (not a full M) will get a 530hp engine.
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
Gecko
mikeavelli
I hate to be "that guy" but Mercedes just released an E53 AMG with 429hp. They have the maniacal E63 already.

BMW still offers the 456hp V-8 550 here which does 0-60 much faster than the GS F (3.9 seconds) with AWD. . Now they have the maniacal 600hp M5.

It seems the new BMW M8501 (not a full M) will get a 530hp engine.
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
mikeavelli
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
mikeavelli
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
mikeavelli
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
L
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
BMW could get away without sportscar/supercar. They have enough M cars.
L
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
BMW could get away without sportscar/supercar. They have enough M cars.
L
Gecko
Unfortunately, all of this plus the cancellation of the GS are why Mercedes, BMW and Audi just continue to pull away from Lexus in terms of prestige and cache. Those brands understand that everything doesn't have to be a perfect cut and dry business case with 50% profit margins. Thank god for LC - if we didn't have that car, Lexus would virtually be Acura at this point.
BMW could get away without sportscar/supercar. They have enough M cars.
Gecko
mikeavelli
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
Problem is: what are they going to F? LC F and LS F as $125k flagship vehicles means little without a lineup underneath to support them. RC F needs a refresh. GS F will be gone. IS F, if it even happens, is probably 4 years away for new gen. ES F is not possible. So what is F anymore?
Gecko
mikeavelli
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
Problem is: what are they going to F? LC F and LS F as $125k flagship vehicles means little without a lineup underneath to support them. RC F needs a refresh. GS F will be gone. IS F, if it even happens, is probably 4 years away for new gen. ES F is not possible. So what is F anymore?
Gecko
mikeavelli
Let's hope some new F cars are truly coming soon.... I haven't heard much of a peep lately....
Problem is: what are they going to F? LC F and LS F as $125k flagship vehicles means little without a lineup underneath to support them. RC F needs a refresh. GS F will be gone. IS F, if it even happens, is probably 4 years away for new gen. ES F is not possible. So what is F anymore?
maiaramdan
ssun30
There are a lot of rumors saying it will become FWD and no longer share platform with IS, which is a very confusing business decision.
No way they will turn it to FWD for 2 reasons

1) it will be nearly same Camry size and that's why they killed the Aurion.

2) the Mark-X is the successor of Brevis / Verossa / Mark-2 / Chaser / Cresta / Cressida which was a Supra 4 doors.

So they will either kill it or make a new RWD generation of it but they will never mess with the name, Toyota never did it before.

M