Koji Sato, COO and president of Lexus since last month, sees a future in which crossovers and SUVs may become less important. This is evident from an interview that Automotive News has held with the top driver.
You nowadays stumble across SUVs, crossovers and raised hatchbacks, but according to Koji Sato it is important for Lexus to focus on other body styles as well. Sato explains to Automotive News that SUVs currently account for 65 percent of Lexus’ international sales. In the United States that is 60 to 70 percent, while in Europe 80 percent of every Lexus sold is a cross-over or SUV. Sato sees the popularity of such models not going on forever.
“We think this trend will continue for another five years. After that, the consumer may want something new. As a brand, we need to prepare for something other than SUVs,” Sato explains. With the LF30 Concept, Lexus showed an eccentric study model at the Tokyo Motor Show in October last year, with more hatchback influences. Although there are no direct production plans for that study model, Sato says the show car is “an example of how Lexus is preparing for something other than an SUV.”