The Lexus LS is the flagship model of Toyota Motor Corporation’s luxury car brand, Lexus, and has established a solid position in luxury car markets around the world since its launch in 1989. In this article, we will take a closer look at the trends in sales and production of the Lexus LS to explore how this model has been evaluated in the luxury car market over the years and its presence.
Changes in sales volume from the first to fourth generation and what lies behind them
The first-generation LS brought a breath of fresh air to the luxury car market with its quietness, comfort, and reliability. Its success in the North American market was particularly remarkable, driving the growth of the Lexus brand as a whole. With the second and third generations, the LS continued to evolve, refining the performance and quality required of a luxury car. However, due to the SUV boom from the late 2000s and the effects of the Lehman Shock, the entire luxury sedan market began to shrink. There was a period when LS sales also temporarily declined.
Fifth-generation LS: New challenges and their results
The fifth-generation LS, released in 2017, is an ambitious model that overturns the conventional concept of the LS with a bold design and a generous amount of advanced technology. In particular, the improved driving performance achieved by adopting the GA-L platform and the evolution of safety technology such as the Lexus Safety System + surprised the luxury car market. As a result, the LS has attracted attention again and sales are showing signs of recovery.
Lexus LS sales figures
Sales of the Lexus LS have remained strong since its launch, and it has been particularly popular in the North American market as a representative luxury sedan. However, in the late 2000s, sales temporarily declined due to the effects of the Lehman Shock and the global economic downturn.
Then, in the 2010s, sales began to increase again due to growing demand in China and other emerging markets. In particular, the fifth-generation LS, which underwent a full model change in 2017, was praised for its significant advances in design and driving performance, leading to a large increase in sales.
Lexus LS production volume
The number of Lexus LS units produced has changed in tandem with sales. The main production base is Toyota Motor Corporation’s Tahara Plant in Japan, but in recent years local production has also begun in China and North America, strengthening the global supply system.
Sales volume in 2022
Annual sales of the Lexus LS in 2022 were 1,687 units .
| Date | LS sales volume |
|---|---|
| January 2022 | 138 units |
| February 2022 | 55 units |
| March 2022 | 130 units |
| April 2022 | 223 units |
| May 2022 | 242 units |
| June 2022 | 206 units |
| July 2022 | 118 units |
| August 2022 | 136 units |
| September 2022 | 157 units |
| October 2022 | 106 units |
| November 2022 | 74 units |
| December 2022 | 102 units |
| total | 1,687 units |
Lexus LS registration numbers Source:Japan Automobile Dealers Association
Sales volume in 2023
Lexus LS sales for 2023 were 2,087 units .
| Date | LS sales volume |
|---|---|
| January 2023 | 187 units |
| February 2023 | 235 units |
| March 2023 | 352 units |
| April 2023 | 149 units |
| May 2023 | 131 units |
| June 2023 | 198 units |
| July 2023 | 159 units |
| August 2023 | 146 units |
| September 2023 | 142 units |
| October 2023 | 145 units |
| November 2023 | 128 units |
| December 2023 | 115 units |
| total | 2,087 units |
Lexus LS registration numbers Source:Japan Automobile Dealers Association
Sales volume in 2024
The numbers are likely to be similar in 2023.
| Date | LS sales volume |
|---|---|
| January 2024 | 139 units |
| February 2024 | 141 units |
| March 2024 | 186 units |
| April 2024 | 140 units |
| May 2024 | 120 units |
| June 2024 | 171 units |
| total | 897 units |
Lexus LS registration numbers Source:Japan Automobile Dealers Association
LS production system as seen from the transition of production volume
The LS is produced at Toyota’s Tahara Plant. During the first generation model, tens of thousands of units were produced annually, but from the second generation onwards, production capacity was increased to meet growing global demand. At its peak, over 100,000 LS units were produced annually. In recent years, production numbers have stabilized due to changes in the luxury car market and the shift to electrification, but the LS still maintains an unshakable position as Toyota’s flagship model.
A word from the editorial department
The sales and production volume trends of the Lexus LS speak to the challenges and success of the LS in the luxury car market. Even now, more than 30 years after the launch of the first model, the LS continues to evolve and provide new customer experiences. The automotive industry is undergoing a period of major transformation, including electrification and autonomous driving technology, but the LS will continue to shine as a symbol of the Lexus brand.
Lexus LS