End of an Era: Lexus Cancels the LS

[Gecko]

After launching the brand, upsetting an entire category, and challenging the automotive industry’s idea of what a luxury car can be, Lexus has cancelled the LS. It is a defining moment for Lexus as the LS has always been the model most synonymous with the brand — it is, after all, the car that started it all and made Lexus famous for quality, luxury, technology, innovation, and refinement.
The business case for sedans has only gotten harder with each passing year, so perhaps this news is not surprising, but it must be mentioned that Lexus also has not done the LS any favors with keeping the sedan relevant and updated. The fourth generation of the sedan ran from 2006 to 2017 with minor refreshes over the lifecycle, and the fifth generation LS has been on sale since 2017 (as a 2018...

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[Berto3818]

This is very sad

 

[Levi]

With these RWD models gone (now only IS and LC), the LFA II being a GR, “Lexus Enthusiast” will also become history…..

 

[supra93]

One of the Youtubers is speculating (or hopefully wishing) that we might just get a rebadge Toyota Crown to fill in the gap left behind by the GS & LS.

 

[Gecko]

One of the Youtubers is speculating (or hopefully wishing) that we might just get a rebadge Toyota Crown to fill in the gap left behind by the GS & LS.

Yes, here it is:

Saying "I told you so" doesn't help anything at this moment, but after Lexus cancelled the GS in favor of the ES, I said the LS was next and several folks told me I was crazy and being a hater. Well, here we are, the ES is now 10 inches longer with a rear seat exec package, and the LS is history.

Akio got greedy on up-specing Toyota platforms and hardware with an L badge on the front, and sees no reason to build dedicated products with premium platforms, powertrains, and features. Yes the market changed, yes buyer tastes changed, but it is Toyota who ran their usual playbook of under investing in the products they don't want to keep to make them seem outdated and like a bad business case, then saying, "well nobody buys them," and pulling the plug.

See: Lexus GS, Lexus SC, Lexus RC, Lexus LS. Next: Lexus IS and Lexus LC.

What do all of those products have in common? They don't share parts or platforms with the Camry and RAV4. What a pity.

 

[Trexus]

This is definitely a sad day in history. What is Lexus thinking in discontinuing the LS line?

BMW still has the 7 series which can still be had with a 4.4-liter V8.
Mercedies still has the S class which can still be had with a 4.0 liter V8.
Audi still has the S8 which can still be had with a 4.0 liter V8.

Lexus should have put the 5.0 liter 2UR-GSE engine in the LS. Lexus needed to keep up or exceed the 7 Series, S Class and Audi S8 but got lazy and complacent and focused way too much time and effort on CUV's and SUV's.

 

[lexusman2000]

LEXUS is a Dead Man Walking. The best days were around 2012 - 2014. Now, its better to move on to Mercedes Benz or so to get catchy Design Highlights. No ugly SUVs like NX or RX.

 

[CRSKTN]

In ten years when all the young people who grew up getting driven around by mom in a Lexus SUV suddenly want nothing to do with them (already happening), they will reap what they have sown with this.

These markets are not stationary.