Published on February 28th, 2011 | by Daniel Sherman Fernandez
0LEXUS CT 200h UNVEILED In Malaysia
Lexus Malaysia announced on the 26th of Feb 2011, the introduction of the Lexus CT 200h, the world’s first full hybrid luxury compact to the Malaysian luxury car enthusiasts. Speaking at the launch event, En. Ismet Suki, President of UMW Toyota Motor Sdn Bhd said, “In Malaysia, since the brand launch in December 2006, Lexus has sold more than 1,100 units up until January this year. This is indeed an important achievement for the brand being young and new in this country. It also shows that Lexus vehicles have been well accepted by our Malaysian customers.“
“Although the Hybrid market in the country is still relatively small, we feel there is a big potential for future growth. We are confident that the interest and demand for Lexus hybrid models will develop further in the coming years as more Malaysians are aware about the hybrid technology. Our aim is to offer to our customers the world’s latest and most advanced hybrid vehicles,” he said.
He further added, “We believe this new model will appeal to young urban affluent who would like to own a luxury sporty vehicle that provides a fun yet radical driving experience and is environment-friendly. The Lexus CT 200h maintains the premium and luxury feel of a Lexus.” The launch event was also attended by Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, Chairman, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd., Mr. Takashi Hibi, Deputy Chairman, UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd., Dato’ Syed Hisham Syed Wazir, President and Group CEO UMW Holdings Berhad, and Mr. Yukiya Uchimura, Assistant Chief engineer, Lexus Development Center, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan.
The Lexus CT 200h is a five-door hatchback that combines the vitality of agile driving with advanced environment performance, dynamic and sporty styling. The Lexus CT 200h is also equipped with the Drive Mode Select Switch that allow the driver to easily switch from relaxed to dynamic driving mode, experiencing different steering feels and gauging the driving mode as denoted by the colour change in the instrument panel and the lights within the cabin.
The new model offers smooth performance and class leading fuel efficiency which is best in the premium compact segment. The Lexus Hybrid Drive technology effectively reduces fuel consumption through the perfect fusion of the electric motor and the 1.8 litre Atkinson cycle petrol engine. It has a very high level of clean emissions in compliance with the world’s strictest EURO 5 standard.
The Lexus CT 200h luxury variant features the newly developed suspension supported by performance dampers to achieve agile handling and riding comfort. “The introduction of Lexus CT 200h has come at the right time as it enjoys the tax incentives given by the government and making it priced very competitively,” said En. Ismet.
The all new Lexus CT 200h is priced at RM 168,000 while the Luxury variant, with more upgraded specifications is priced at RM 196,500 (on-the-road price, without insurance). Since order taking started in January 2011, Lexus Malaysia has received encouraging response from customers. As of 24th February, more than 200 orders for the all new Lexus CT200h was collected. “We expect to have more than 800 units on the Malaysian roads by the end of this year,” concluded En. Ismet.
In view of the positive response and confidence from the customers on Lexus vehicles, Lexus Malaysia have expanded their Lexus network to Johor Bahru, Johor. The new Lexus showroom is located in Taman Sri Tebrau and has started its operation since end of last month. Customers are able to service their Lexus vehicles at the service center which is located at Kawasan Perindustrian Plentong, Masai. By the end of this year, Lexus Malaysia will be opening another Lexus showroom in the Klang Valley.