Lexus Says Trends Are Changing, Might Consider Smaller Cars

Fueled by the fact that people have started paying more money for smaller vehicles, Lexus is now flirting with the idea of launching such a product.

The decision is far from being approved, yet according to Autocar, the company’s Executive Vice President, Koji Sato, spoke about such a possible approach on the sidelines of the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show.

“Smaller doesn’t always mean cheaper now, so trends are changing”, said Sato. “I can’t say clearly that this is something we will do, but we are looking at all vehicle opportunities.”

Also Read: Driven: 2019 Lexus UX250h Is Edgy, Efficient And Engaging

So, what opportunities would those be? A city-sized SUV would slot under the outgoing UX. The subcompact crossover starts at £29,905 ($38,688/€34,726) in the United Kingdom, so it would be more affordable, probably undercutting even the aging CT, which can be had from £26,250 ($33,959/€30,482).

Another possible product would be a Toyota Aygo-sized A-segment hatchback. Lexus had this idea before, when they presented the LF-SA concept in 2015. At 3,450 mm (135.8 in) long, 1,700 mm (66.9 in) wide and 1,430 mm (56.3 in) tall, the 2+2 study was shorter and a tad wider than the Volkswagen Up!.

A few years ago, Aston Martin had the same idea, only for different reasons: meeting the (then) new fleet average emissions regulations. Thus, they teamed up with Toyota and started rebadging the iQ in 2011. Aston Martin hoped it would sell 4,000 units of the Cygnet annually, but according to CarSalesBase, it only managed to shift 261 in 2011, 172 in 2012, 131 in 2013 and 29 in 2014 of a city car that cost over £30,000 ($38,810/€34,835).

Note: Lexus LF-SA Concept pictured in the Gallery