A Subcompact Crossover Could Replace the Lexus CT 200h

Lexus LF-SA Concept (Credit: ©Lexus)

The Lexus CT 200h hasn’t been the seller that the Japanese luxury automaker had hoped for. In fact, with only 14,657 sold in all of 2015, some would call it a failure, if not for the fact that it’s a niche rig. A new report from Autocar indicates that Lexus is looking to capitalize in the sub-$40,000 luxury car category, but it knows the CT is likely not the car for the job. Instead, Lexus may choose to replace it with a small crossover to help ramp up sales in this growing segment.

Adding validity to this report is the fact that it came straight from the mouth of Alain Uyttenhoven, Lexus’ European leader. He told the British site that “a full 50% of the European luxury car market exists below the €40,000 ($44,734) mark,” and it’s clear that the CT—the only Lexus model that inhabits this price range—will just never sell well enough to compete.

Lexus LF-SA Concept (Credit: ©Lexus)

Uyttenhoven stopped short of saying exactly what Lexus would replace the CT with when its production life ends in the next two years. He did, however, mention that the brand is considering a small crossover. Adding fuel to the speculation fire is the reveal of the LF-SA subcompact crossover at the 2015 Geneva Auto Show. With Lexus’ history of creating production versions of its various LF concepts, I wouldn’t be shocked to see a tone-down version of this concept become the eventual successor to the aging CT 200h.

Only time will tell if this will become a reality. We’ll continue monitoring this situation, so stay tuned for updates.