Production of the Lexus CT200h won’t continue past the 2017 model year.
The company confirmed the news, saying that while the car won’t see a 2018 model year in the U.S., it will continue to be sold in other markets.
The CT200h acted as the entry-level model for the brand but its sales could never be favorably compared with other entry-level luxury cars like the Mercedes CLA or Audi A3. Last year, Lexus moved 8903 units of the CT200h, compared to the 25,792 CLAs sold and 31,538 A3s. Internally, the CT200h was massively outsold, with the NX moving 54,884 units in 2016.
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The CT200h shares its hybrid drivetrain with the previous Toyota Prius, which means that its fuel economy rating of 42-mpg combined is also now outclassed by its lesser Toyota sibling, with the new Prius rated at 52 mpg combined.
To fill the hole left by the CT200h, Lexus plans to add a new subcompact crossover to its lineup called the UX. Until then, the Lexus NX will become the cheapest option from the Japanese automaker, selling for just over $36,000.
