Lexus IS, GS May Face Chopping Block

The entry-level Lexus IS and mid-size GS sedans may have an uncertain future after recent comments from David Christ, the luxury brand’s U.S. general manager.

Speaking with Automotive News in a Monday report, Christ indirectly commented on both sedans’ futures, and he didn’t paint the brightest picture. AN first noted the ES sedan could very well replace the GS sedan in the lineup and potentially gain all-wheel drive. On Lexus‘ car business in general, Christ said the product portfolio is far from finalized.

“Our product plan is what I would call a work in progress,” he said.

Although he would neither confirm or deny the IS and GS’s potential discontinuation, Christ said the Japanese luxury marque is taking a strategic look and “evaluating” both models. The two sedans have grown long in the tooth and Lexus has not announced plans to update either model. Neither move volumes as they once did, either.

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In the meantime, Lexus is working to cash in on the crossover and SUV boom with new vehicles like the entry-level UX the three-row RX. The brand also showed the LF-1 Limitless concept at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, which may be a harbinger for another large crossover model. But, it may effectively replace the three-row RX in due time.

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