gengar

I'm not too sure about the conclusions drawn in the article. Even linking (two articles) back to the "original" article, the full interview text is not posted so it is hard to tell exactly what was stated by Uyttenhoven. The conclusion that CT sales have underachieved is only something stated by the article author, as the only quote provided from Uyttenhoven is that Lexus' European sales in the segment aren't good enough (so based only on that, the need for a CUV could be understood as in addition, not necessarily as a replacement).

The raw data is this: The CT has sold 267,000 units since introduction, and that's only since it was released in 2011. In comparison, the RX hybrid - Lexus' best selling - has 335,000 total sales since introduction, and that's all the way back in 2005. Hard to believe the CT is considered a failure.

Stereorob

they need to turn the CT into a hot hatch.

Fizzboy7

The two strikes are that it's a hatchback and that it's slow. If one is going to peddle a hatch, which America views as cheap and nerdy, it at least needs to be a hot hatch. Bad combo.
What they need to do, and I've been saying this for years, is to mimic the formula Audi uses with the current A3. A fleeting, yet compact sedan that is efficient, would appeal to a mass amount of people.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

They should have done a CT300h with the ES's 2.5L. 200 total system hp that yields essentially same mpg as the CT200h. The little 1.8L is so strained..

dseag2

Totally agree. I had one as a loaner when I had my GS F Sport and although it was fun to throw around the ride and the noise felt like the cheapest of economy cars.

mmarshall

What they really need to do, IMO, is a CT with more sound insulation and more give in the suspension/tires....something that drives more like a Lexus instead of a Toyota.

chromedome

All the more galling when the latest Prius is a lot more comfy, quieter and handles better. It's like they made a Lexus body for the CT but left all the old Prius bits intact, hence the lack of sound insulation and the hard ride.

Then again, maybe the target market doesn't want a quiet and cushy ride. I've seen plenty of slammed CTs with huge rims, dual exhaust tips and next to no suspension travel.

nacke

CT is much cheaper volume class model, so it's reasonable that they were expecting more sales.

gengar

Not sure it's reasonable, but doesn't change my greater point that nothing in the interview quotes suggests Uyttenhoven actually said that.