Lexus dropped a teaser yesterday for the next-generation ES, confusingly calling the luxury sedan a “global flagship model.” That got us wondering: What does this mean for the LS? Is Lexus preparing to retire its long-running full-size sedan? We reached out to the company for clarification, and representatives from both the European and U.S. branches assured us that the LS is not going anywhere.
Patrick Scheelen, Senior Manager of Lexus Product Communications for Europe, confirmed: “There is no intention for LS discontinuation globally.” Leigh Anne Sessions, Senior Manager of Lexus Communications North America, declared: “In Japan, the word flagship means that it is a core model for the brand, and the ES fits this description, as it was launched at the same time as the LS and is one of our best-selling models globally. We do not have any LS news to share at this time.”
We can all agree that the LS is starting to show its age, having been around in its fifth generation since 2017. Sales have dwindled over the years, prompting Lexus to recently pull the plug in the UK after a 35-year run. Only three units were sold there in 2024, and just 39 since the start of the decade. Homologation and regulatory hurdles also played a role in its departure from Britain, though the LS continues to be available in other parts of Europe and globally.
In the U.S., Lexus sold 2,163 LS sedans in 2024; not stellar, but not the worst in its segment either. The Audi A8 trailed behind with 1,628 units sold, while the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series dominated with 8,809 and 10,714 units, respectively.
The LS isn’t just competing with rival sedans; it also faces pressure from within. The Lexus LM, a luxurious minivan based on the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire, quietly cannibalizes sales of the traditional LS range-topper. Although a China-centric product, the LM is also sold in Japan, Australia, India, and select European markets.
Still, we like to believe there’s room for a proper flagship sedan with a classic three-box silhouette. Rumors out of Japan have floated the idea of the LS morphing into something more akin to the Century SUV, but don’t Lexus and Toyota already have enough SUVs?
For now, the LS sedan isn’t going anywhere. Whether it stays a traditional luxury sedan or morphs into something radically different remains to be seen, but at least the moniker is still in the picture.
#Lexus #Dying
