Lexus July 2018 Sales Report

[Joaquin Ruhi]

As one of the few people talking about the car who daily-drives it, I kind of like the 5LS's still-forming new reputation as a unique mix of driver's car and luxury barge. Or as a Quattroporte that doesn't break down.

I think you nailed it. My June 2017 Kaizen Factor review of the Lexus GS F described it as "A 'tweener' supersedan" that fell between the "sport" versions of its E-segment luxury brand rivals and the full-on AMG/M/RS/V variants. The same, in a broader sense, could be said of Lexus' 5LS. Its hunchbacked fastback silhouette is reminiscent, more than anything else, of the original Porsche Panamera. The sportiness of its persona also seems to bridge a gap between the Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte on the sporty end and the more classically luxury feel of Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7-Series and Audi A8.

Likewise, the 5LS's sole non-hybrid powertrain option to date outside China, the 3.5-liter twin-turbo V35A-FTS likewise falls roughly in the middle of its rivals' myriad powertrain offerings. To hear some of the criticism, you'd think the new LS is a total snail compared to each and every one of its German and American rivals. It isn't.

 

[zeusus]

LS did great up until the third year of the 4LS and thats when their sales really slipped.

Did the 4LS suddenly become a horrible luxury car in it's third year? No.

We all have to be honest with ourselves here, how much more sales would the LS have in this same extremely competitive luxury segment if the backseat were slightly longer, taller, and had a v8?

So the bottom line is, LS used to shine because everyone else sucked, thats why the industry praises the 1LS so much. Now LS shines less because everyone else is improving. Every time a new LS launches, we see so many complaints that it isn't groundbreaking like the 1LS, no that will never happen again, especially not in a segment where everyone puts their money into the flagship products. Things were a lot different in the 80s, folks.

Its already amazing as it is that the LS had a great run at nearly 20 years at the top of the game before anybody caught up in styling, tech, and build quality.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

I'd argue that the LS is at least upper-tier if not leading on styling. The interior, even without the Kiriko glass, is like nothing else.

 

[peterharvey]

Fact versus Opinions?


Fact
The main point to understand is that sales is an objective and quantitative fact:
March 1008
April 999
May 908
June 789
July 712
Thus 5LS is certainly on the nose with the public.
Although some people certainly love the 5LS - that's certainly not how the mass public is actually feeling.

Someone must be prepared to talk about what some others don't want to hear.


Opinions
However, when we try to explain why the three digit sales figures at a time when the current S Class has sold for 57 consecutive months, 55 months of which has been at 4 digits/month, and only 2 months have been poor sales with only 3 digits/month - then we are dealing with personal/individual opinions.

For example, I am of the opinion that the rear quarter styling heavily affects sales.
Whereas someone else may be of the opinion that the sporty design with a compact interior to be the main reason for 3 digit sales/month.
Or Joaquin or someone else may attribute low sales due to a lack of V8 etc.

These are all opinions.


Subjective Opinion to Objective Fact Conversion
Lexus will be obtaining feedback from both 5LS customers and non-5LS customers.
Why? Because feedback from 5LS customers only, results in biased data.
Meanwhile feedback from non-5LS results in biased data - but in the opposite direction.
Thus, to have fair and non-biased data, Lexus must survey and feedback ALL.

The individual/personal opinions are actually added together, and then averaged out - to produce a single objective mean [average] - from which to develop both the mid-life updated 5.5LS and the next generation 6LS.

 

[Trexus]

GX is Lexus unsung hero... 2k+ per month since late 2013 when it was refreshed. Amazing.

Lexus could squeeze a bit more sales of the GX if they include a 2 row GX (2.5k - 3k+ per month) similar to what they did with the 2 row LX.

RX 2 row
RX 3 row (need to bring F Sport models)
GX 2 row (lower price point and more cargo space in the rear without the third row seats)
GX 3 row
LX 2 row
LX 3 row

 

[mikeavelli]

LS did great up until the third year of the 4LS and thats when their sales really slipped.

Did the 4LS suddenly become a horrible luxury car in it's third year? No.

The global financial meltdown happened and the LS never really recovered even with two facelifts including the very significant 2013 refresh.....

Only some hardcore Lexus unenthusiasts would find a way to crap on Lexus when their monthly sales topped the competition. :thumbsdown:

No need to repeat the exact same posts over and over again, from forum to forum, thread to thread.

Been tired of it.....