Lexus LF-CH Could be Released by 2012 or Maybe Earlier

Lexus unveiled the LF-CH Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it previewed what a possible smaller Lexus could be like.

Mark Templin, the general manger of Lexus recently spoke with TheDetroitBureau about the possibility of a new smaller Lexus and if it would be sold in the US.

"There is a group of buyers growing up now who won't buy cars by the pound," said Templin. "We have already seen a structural shift" to the compact and more affordable models in the luxury market over the past couple of years.

So, said Templin, "Going forward, there may be a need for even smaller luxury cars," but they won't necessarily be targeting the budget-constrained "entry-luxury" buyer that today goes for such Lexus models as the ES and IS lines.

The LF-CH Concept will be at the LA Auto Show next month and at the Detroit show in January so that Lexus can gauge consumer reaction.

According to Templin if the response is possitive, the LF-CH could appear in Lexus showrooms by 2012 or possibly earlier.