What Does the New Toyota Crown Mean for the Next-Generation Lexus GS?

Posted by Kevin on June 28th, 2018

Toyota has just released a next-generation Crown sedan exclusively for the Japanese market, making it the second such model I’ve posted about this week. However, unlike the Toyota Century, this new sedan might actually make an impact on the Lexus lineup.

There has been much discussion on the future of the Lexus GS, and that makes the Toyota Crown very important indeed. The two models have shared platforms and engines since 1993, this new Crown has been extensively redeveloped. It now uses a modified version of the GA-L platform from the new Lexus LS sedan & LC coupe, and the same hybrid powertrain also offered on both Lexus flagships. For all intents and purposes, this Toyota is already a Lexus underneath the sheet metal.

Not to discount the additional development required, but the Crown offers a basic shell that could be used for a next-generation Lexus GS. Exterior and interior styling would have to change, but then that plays exactly into the brand’s strengths. It should be noted that Lexus no longer needs a second mid-size sedan, but the GS could be refactored into a four-door coupe and be elevated to a more prestigious (and lucrative) segment.

It may all be in the timing, as Lexus has brought out three new cars (LC, LS, ES) into a market that prefers SUVs and crossovers. There’s been an understandable shift in priority for the brand, with the focus now shifting to the UX and the fast-tracked production version of the LF-1 Limitless crossover. But the pendulum will swing back at some point, and with the Toyota Crown, Lexus can easily have a new GS just waiting in the wings.

Lexus GS: Fourth Generation
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Comments
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for Chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China...
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:

End Of Production In China
Due to the poor sales result in China, in Sept 27th, 2017. Tianjin FAW Toyota ended up the production of Mark X(Reiz) in China. It was totally produced 528188 Mark X's until now.
Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
Joaquin Ruhi
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for Chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China...
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:

End Of Production In China
Due to the poor sales result in China, in Sept 27th, 2017. Tianjin FAW Toyota ended up the production of Mark X(Reiz) in China. It was totally produced 528188 Mark X's until now.
Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
S
Joaquin Ruhi
Thanks for setting me straight. I based my comment on a section near the end of the Toyota Mark X article on Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Mark_X
that reads:



Obviously, your statement is better informed and more nuanced.
you can check chinese produced toyota sales here:
http://carsalesbase.com/china-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-reiz/
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.
Carmaker1
ssun30
The Reiz was not a flop. In fact it was the most popular mid-size sedan in late 2000s because it has the right dimensions for chinese roads. It was the fastest and the most luxury-packed in its league. The power and sportiness are so well received that the E90 BMW 3 always lived in its shadows.

It fell out of favor because of the revised displacement tax introduced in 2012. A V6 family sedan is just too powerful here. Also as China builds more and better roads its size is considered insufficient. Finally FAW has always been upset that GAC (another TMC partner) gets the Camry.

There are rumors that FAW is planning on discontinuing both the Reiz and the Crown. Instead it will get the Avalon that is guaranteed to be a success in China.

The Japanese still cherish the Mark II legacy; it was the symbol of Japan's golden age. They don't want to let it go, but to make the business case work the only option is to make the next Mark X a rebadged IS.
The Mark X is going FWD, moving to utilize TNGA-K. The XV70 Camry debuted that application of TNGA-K. I don't know if Toyota is developing a larger FWD application above TNGA-K, but some tidbits point towards the Mark X no longer being RWD.

C