Report: Lexus expects to sell 1,000 CTs a month despite HS flop

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Report: Lexus expects to sell 1,000 CTs a month despite HS flop

by Jeremy Korzeniewski (RSS feed) on Nov 30th 2010 at 6:59PM

Lexus is pinning rather high the expectations on its new CT 200h, billed as "The Dark Side of Green." According to Brian Bolain, the automaker's national advertising and marketing manager, Lexus expects to sell about 1,000 CTs here in the U.S. each month. We wish them the best of luck, but have some serious reservations.

Consider that the combined sales of the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and Volvo C30 (which represent the vehicles most likely to be cross-shopped with the CT) tally up about 1,500 sales per month, according to Ward's Automotive. For what it's worth, the 1 Series, which is the only non-dedicated hatchback and easily the sportiest of the bunch, makes up the vast majority of the segment's sales.

As you're surely aware, the CT 200h is indeed a dedicated hatchback and it offers up a comparatively paltry 98 horsepower from its Prius-derived Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter four-cylinder, aided by another 36 ponies from its two electric motors and 28 NiMH batteries. As we said in our First Drive of the CT, that power level, particularly when coupled to a continuously variable automatic transmission, doesn't exactly incite driving excitement.

Also factor in the sales flop that is the dedicated-hybrid Lexus HS 250h, a model whose yearly sales will struggle to hit half the 20,000 units Lexus had counted on, and you can see why we're a tad skeptical that Toyota's luxury division will manage to move a thousand CTs per calendar flip. In any case, we figure the CT is at least as attractive as the HS, and we look forward to spending some quality time with the hybrid hatchback in day-to-day driving scenarios where it should become much more clear how the machine stacks up against its competitors.

What do you think, will the CT 200h be a hit in America? Have your say in Comments.

link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/30/report-lexus-expects-to-sell-1-000-cts-a-month-despite-hs-flop/

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Lexus Looks to Sell 1,000 CTs Monthly; Won’t Repeat HS Flub

By Christie Schweinsberg

WardsAuto.com, Nov 30, 2010 9:00 AM

DELRAY BEACH, FL – Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.’s Lexus luxury brand believes it can sell 1,000 all-new CT 200h hybrid-electric compact hatchbacks each month.

That’s a lofty goal considering the competitors: the Volvo C30, Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, which account for about 1,500-unit sales a month in the U.S.

Ward’s data shows the three models delivered a combined 1,991 units in October, with the 1-Series accounting for 1,139 of the total.

Lexus is confident in the CT 200h’s potential because it is the small-but-burgeoning segment’s only hybrid and offers a sporty driving experience, as well, says Brian Bolain, Lexus national advertising and marketing manager, at a preview of the car here.

“I think we’re covered on both sides of the equation; the hybrid side and the fun-to-drive side,” he says of the CT’s appeal to buyers seeking fuel economy as well as driving pleasure.

Bolain claims the CT’s 5-door design will stand out in a way the styling of Lexus’ other compact hybrid-electric vehicle, the HS 250h sedan, does not. He acknowledges the auto maker has stumbled with the HS. Sales of the HEV have languished since it launched last year.

Lexus targeted at least 20,000 units annually, but Ward’s data shows HS 250h sales through October stood at only 8,754.

“Whether you love or hate the way the HS looks, it’s just another 3-box sedan,” Bolain says. “It has not differentiated itself visually for people. For someone who wants to make a statement, (the) HS doesn’t quite get them where they need to be.”

Lexus CT 200h to be first Japanese compact premium hybrid car in U.S.

Much to Lexus’ chagrin, the HS also is drawing an older demographic than expected. Bolain puts the HS buyer’s age on par with that of the ES 350 sedan, which is popular with Baby Boomers.

Lexus expects younger, 30- or 40-something buyers with an annual household income of about $100,000 to opt for the CT 200h. Some 50%-60% are expected to be men, with three-quarters of those new to the brand, he says.

Research shows these Generation X and Y buyers already are the driving force behind the purchase of non-automotive luxury goods. They also express more confidence in the economy and many are planning to buy a new car within the next 12-24 months.

Their confidence is due to their growing income, Bolain says, noting the number of Gen X and Y Americans with household income of $100,000-plus is on the rise, unlike other generations.

When the ’12 CT 200h goes on sale March 1, it will become the fifth Lexus hybrid offered in the U.S., following the RX 400h/450h cross/utility vehicles, the GS 460h and LS 600h upper-middle and large sedans and the HS 250h.

The CT 200h boasts Lexus’ smallest gas engine yet in a hybrid, a 1.8L 4-cyl. Atkinson-cycle mill, mated to a 2026V nickel-metal-hydride battery. It is the same hybrid system as is in the Toyota Prius.

As with the Prius and Lexus RX 450h, the CT 200h employs a cooled exhaust gas-recirculation system, as well as an exhaust heat-recovery system to improve efficiency.

The CT 200h is estimated to achieve 43/40 mpg (5.5-5.9 L/100 km) city/highway in Normal driving mode. Lexus claims a segment-best combined fuel economy of 42 mpg (5.6 L/100 km), besting diesel-equipped competitors, Bolain says.

All four CT 200h driving modes, including Eco, EV and Sport, boast their own steering and throttle calibrations, among other differences.

In Eco mode, for instance, compressor settings are changed to lower the air-conditioning’s fan speed, says Charles Hubbard, senior product education administrator for Lexus College.

Additionally, in all modes other than Sport, the inverter increases the battery’s maximum voltage to 500V. In Sport, or at wide-open throttle in the other modes, the voltage is 650V “all the time,” he says.

The driving mode is indicated on the display behind the CT’s steering wheel. To differentiate Sport, for example, the background lighting changes to red from Normal’s blue and a graphic showing a hybrid gauge becomes a tachometer.

To offset what Hubbard calls the CT 200h’s highly rigid body, the car boasts performance dampers, a Lexus first, located between the strut towers and back-frame horns to absorb body motions and vibrations.

The CT 200h has standard light-emitting-diode daytime running lights. LED headlamps are available and when added to the daytime running lights give the CT a total 89 LEDs, the most of any Lexus, Hubbard says.

Other eco-friendly attributes of the CT 200h include floor-mat, deck-side and deck-board trim containing 40% plant-based materials. A faux leather, made of polyethylene and called NuLuxe, is used in the car’s interior. It is made using no metal dyes and is 50% lighter than leather, Hubbard says, noting it also emits no volatile organic compounds.

Real leather also is available, but Bolain says 83% of buyers who have configured a CT 200h on Lexus’ website have opted for NuLuxe.

The hybrid overall is 80% recyclable, with the lowest curb weight of any Lexus at 3,130 lbs. (1,420 kg) and a 0.29 drag coefficient.

Pricing for the Kyushu, Japan-built car should be announced in early December. Bolain says Lexus is trying to “push as low as we possibly can,” potentially starting the CT 200h in the low $30,000s. However, the unfavorable yen-dollar exchange rate is “making it difficult.”

At that price, the CT 200h still would be more expensive than the competition. For the ’11 model year, the A3 begins at $27,270, BMW 128i coupe at $29,450 and Volvo C30 at $24,600. The starting price of the current least-expensive Lexus, the ’11 IS 250 sedan, is $32,145.

link:

http://wardsauto.com/ar/lexus_ct200h_hs_101130/

[Intrepidation]

It would help if it wasn't ugly.

[bobo]

I actually think this car is less ugly than the HS250, which is just dorky looking. This car has some style, and whether it sells will depend on the price. If it's much over $30K, it'll be a dud.

[pow]

I saw one in person, and it's actually a good looking car, much better than the awkwardly proportioned HS, which looks like a gussied up econocar, even if it isn't.

Hope it has a more engaging driving experience than the Prius with which it shares a powertrain.

[ocnblu]

Another crappy hybrid trying to be cool. Well it ain't cool.

Dodgefan, is your new avatar a TSA employee?

[Intrepidation]

It costs four hundred thousand dollars to pat you down, for 12 seconds.

[SOULCONVOY454]

Lexus is beating a dead horse with this one, seriously, its dog ugly. Maybe the only people who'll buy them are blind people, so I say to Lexus, good Fonkin luck!!

[Robert Hall]

I wondered how the HS was doing..I've only seen two of them. The CT at least is a hatchback.

As far as compact premium models, it would be nice to see BMW offer the 1 series hatches here in addition to the coupe and convertible they have now..would be nice to see a RWD alternative to the usual FWD compact hatchbacks.

R

Edited December 1, 2010 by Cubical-aka-Moltar