Yes, similar to Akio Toyoda. Not sure how closely you follow GM, but Mary Barra has been the best leader the company has had in many decades as she has focused on cutting costs, cutting losses where they're taking them, doubling down on successful product and trying to build their core brand(s). This aligns almost exactly with what Akio has done at Toyota and mirrors what was shared in the recent shareholder video.
Perhaps someone else can pull it more readily, but there was a recent quote (within the last 2 years I think) from a Lexus executive stating that the brand was going to be pulling out of segments where they are less successful and focusing on the ones where they are. That seems to align well with things like the disappearance of the GS but offset with an expanded ES line. I also expect that it could mean fewer Lexus performance vehicles and possibly the termination or re-boot of the F brand, because what they have done so far has not worked. I also expect the IS will ultimately disappear, and likely the RC as well.
Anyway, my whole point here is that for brands who have mainstream sales as their core business - inexpensive, efficient, mass produced vehicles - it seems that the cost associated with chasing BMW, Mercedes and Audi is just too great and too far outside of what they know to really make a successful run for it. Toyota has invested heavily in FWD TNGA platforms with great chasses, hybrids, competitive AWD systems, flexibility to accommodate batteries and much more. That investment is very likely to be what is also core for Lexus going forward as well.
Last point: I also think many brands are learning that trying to go toe-to-toe with BBA is just not possible anymore. Look at how many brands have tried and failed:
- Acura
- Infiniti
- Lexus
- Cadillac
- Lincoln
- Volvo
- Jaguar
- I know I'm forgetting some
