Daily Slideshow: Lexus Might Build an All-Electric CT Successor
Still alive in some markets, Lexus is looking to replace the CT with an all-electric follow-up to compete with Tesla's Model 3.
Stayin' Alive
Although it vanished from the U.S. market after last year, Lexus isn't ready to say goodbye to the hatchback concept altogether just yet, nor does it see the new UX compact crossover as a replacement for the segment, as some had predicted. Pascal Ruch, Lexus’s European boss, told Auto Express that a follow-up to the CT is in the works, "something different," he says from the Mercedes' A-Class and BMW's 1 Series offerings. Auto Express thinks that something different could be a competitor to the Tesla Model 3—that's their projection of what it might look like above. Lexus is still selling the CT in several countries, where its hybrid technology gives it a foothold, and where hatchbacks are better-tolerated than in the U.S. Ruch feels it's important for Lexus to continue offering a hatchback in European markets.
>>Join the conversation about the new EV CT right here in ClubLexus forum!
2020 Vision
The CT's successor is likely to debut in 2020, built on the same Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform as the European Toyota Auris—comparable to the U.S. market's new Corolla Hatchback—and is expected to be offered in both full-electric and hybrid models. Though no pure EVs have been offered on it yet, adding full-electric power to the platform is consistent with the brand's pledge to release more than 10 battery-electric models by the early 2020s. In line with the TNGA base, the hybrid version will most likely be powered by the European Auris's 177-horsepower 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine.
>>Join the conversation about the new EV CT right here in ClubLexus forum!
New Flavors
In addition, the next generation CT could arrive in both a conventional hatchback and a crossover-SUV type version, similar to the Active trim level iteration of the new Ford Focus. One thing that can be counted on is a facelift. Lexus knows it needs to offer an attractive alternative to both the A-Class and GLA. Auto Express also reported that they "understand a number of proposals are under consideration, including a hatch and a crossover that mixes SUV cues with a less upright stance." Ruch's statement that “We might have to think about a different approach to the sector,” seems to back this up. "Maybe it’s the time to find something new in the CT’s segment," he added.
>>Join the conversation about the new EV CT right here in ClubLexus forum!
Strategy
Lexus's attachment to the CT has more to do with than just a hatchback door though. Ruch says the model is especially effective in bringing new customers to the brand, one of Lexus's most important goals in recent years. "The CT has a high conquest ratio of 70 to 75 per cent," Ruch stated. He added that customers purchase the CT for its efficiency and that the UX is not seen as a replacement for the CT because, "with the UX, we’re looking for a different customer." He said that yes, at some point, the CT will be replaced but that doesn't mean the end of its segment. Once again alluding to footholds and market-building Ruch said: "If we look back since 2012, the brand has experienced, step by step, a strong evolution. But I believe all the segments we are now in, it’s important to stay there."
>>Join the conversation about the new EV CT right here in ClubLexus forum!
Tracking
Lexus introduced the CT a full seven years ago and proceeded to regularly shift in the neighborhood of 15,000-17,000 the vehicles each year in the U.S. market for the following several years. The CT's first significantly down year was 2016 when sales dipped to under 9,000 units, followed by a dismal 2017 when the brand sold under 4,700 of the cars, marking the end of the CT's U.S availability. It's a different story in Europe though. With total sales of around 45,000 vehicles in the region, the CT's 8,000 cars-per-year showing is easily enough to keep it in production. Assuming the UX's introduction doesn't take too big of a bite out of the CT's numbers, there's no reason to believe the latter model wouldn't soldier on until its replacement hits those shores. We're eager to see what the EV CT looks like and whether it can succeed at luring customers away from BMW, M-B, and even Tesla. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments.
>>Join the conversation about the new EV CT right here in ClubLexus forum!
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