Lexus CT 200h to Stay Away from the US

Lexus last week teased the CT 200h, a model that will be on display at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next month and that is projected to go on sale in Europe as soon as this year. And although Lexus admitted that the feedback received after the public unveiling of the LF-Ch concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year was positive, it won't launch the car in the United States. At least, this is what some Toyota officials told insideline.com.

"There are no plans, at present, to bring this vehicle to the U.S.," said Toyota spokesman Curt McAllister.

Details on the CT 200h are yet to be disclosed but we do know that it will feature the new Lexus Hybrid Drive technology. The LF-Ch concept it is based on was also showcased at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, which could make us believe that Lexus is still pondering a potential US launch.

“There is a group of buyers growing up now who won’t buy cars by the pound,” said Lexus General Manager Mark Templin back in November. “We’re not going to build a smaller vehicle with all that technology (found in the likes of a top-line LS sedan) and knock the price down,” he added. “Just because it’s small doesn’t mean cheap.”

autoevolution will be attending the 2010 Geneva Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.