Euro Lexus hybrid hatch on local wishlist

In the modern age of email, video conferencing and voice-over-internet dialing, the boss of Lexus Australia, John Roca, has burned up some carbon credits to fly all the way to Europe to try to secure another hybrid car for his local line-up.

At the Frankfurt motor show yesterday, Toyota's luxury division Lexus unveiled the LF-Ch. A hatchback-style, sporty-looking hybrid car, the LF-Ch looks set to take the premium small car battle up to the likes of BMW's 1 Series and Audi's A3 – an Lexus Australia wants it in its showrooms.

Preview news of that very car was enough to trigger the local Lexus executive into action and on to a plane to try to personally negotiate to bring the car to Australia. But by the time the Carsales Network caught up Mr Roca, the news wasn't looking all that good.

"We don't even know if it will be made in right-hand-drive yet," he told the Carsales Network from his hotel room on his way to the first of many meetings with Lexus head office hierarchy.

"Regardless, we're here to tell them we want the car. That's why we made the trip for a meeting we're going to have tomorrow."

Roca said it was more likely the car would come to Australia if he made the request in person. "You earn more respect by going straight to the source," he said.

One of the few details Lexus has confirmed about the LF-Ch is that it is available as a hybrid-only model at this stage.

"It doesn't look like it will be available with any other power train," Roca said, adding that he believed the vehicle would sell well in Australia.

"We're here to stake our claim. We've got a market that wants it and a segment that needs it."

Although unveiled in Europe, Roca said the concept car was designed in Japan and would also be built there.

"The premium [hatch] segment is the fastest growing segment in Europe and it's strong in Australia too. That's why we believe this car has a place in our market."

Roca said it was a luxury hybrid car "for the masses".

"It looks sporty, it doesn't look like your typical hybrid," he said.

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show preview and brand-by-brand summaries. And stay tuned for more Frankfurt show news and first drives in the days to come.

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