The Lexus CT compact hatch could live on despite the introduction of the similarly sized UX SUV later this year, the firm’s European boss has said.
Widespread reports had suggested that Lexus’s launch into the booming small SUV market would render the ageing CT redundant, but Pascal Ruch told Autocar: “The size of the segment the CT competes in is still very significant.
“At the moment, I see the UX as delivering additional volume, not necessarily replacing the CT. We’ve just updated the CT, so we have at least two more years of sales to make an evaluation from. There is no rush to make a decision.”
The CT is the oldest car in Lexus’s range, and accounts for 10,000 of its 75,000 annual sales in Europe. However, Ruch highlighted its role at bringing new customers to Lexus.
He said: “Between 70% and 75% of buyers are new to Lexus, and that is a great opportunity for us to demonstrate our qualities to customers. Of course I hope the UX can deliver similar results, but they don’t have to be at the expense of the CT.”
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