Lexus HS 250h tops 1,500 pre-orders in Japan
07-13-09, 12:13 PM
#1
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Lexus HS 250h tops 1,500 pre-orders in Japan
Lexus HS 250h tops 1,500 pre-orders in Japan
http://www.motorauthority.com/lexus-...-in-japan.html
Though it has already been ruled out for Europe where diesel is king, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h dedicated hybrid sedan is planned for the U.S. If early sales reports out of Japan are any indication, the HS should prove a bigger hit than some might have predicted. Over 1,500 buyers have placed orders for the car in its homeland.
The HS 250h won't actually arrive in any garages until later this summer, both in the U.S. and Japan, but sales have already tripled the carmaker's monthly target for Japan.
There is even some discussion that some of the sales of the HS could be due to the blockbuster demand for the new 2010 Toytota Prius pushing delivery back by 8 months. Customers that don't want to wait might be switching their orders to the more luxurious, if somewhat less efficient, hybrid Lexus.
The HS 250h won't actually arrive in any garages until later this summer, both in the U.S. and Japan, but sales have already tripled the carmaker's monthly target for Japan.
There is even some discussion that some of the sales of the HS could be due to the blockbuster demand for the new 2010 Toytota Prius pushing delivery back by 8 months. Customers that don't want to wait might be switching their orders to the more luxurious, if somewhat less efficient, hybrid Lexus.
07-13-09, 12:24 PM
#2
Lexus Connoisseur
I think it will do well here in the US. I like the HS250h a lot.
07-13-09, 12:50 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
That's how I see, not going to be a favorite with the sporting enthusiast. But Lexus is carving out a niche hybrid market that others haven't addressed well.
07-13-09, 02:56 PM
#6
Looks aside, the rest of the package looks to have potential...and for Europe, I would seriously reconsider the decision not to bring the HS 250h there (emissions reasons? Why not an HS 200h then, like how they got an IS 200 when we got the IS 300).
07-13-09, 02:57 PM
#7
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I have no idea why...maybe b/c its based on the Avensis, which we don't get?
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07-13-09, 03:50 PM
#10
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I am going to assume a car below the IS will come, a small hatch or something....No word on more diesels either.
07-13-09, 04:12 PM
#11
Good points all...their Europe strategy seems to be more regionally specified now, for instance only bringing the RX 450h over there and not the RX 350 this time. It would seem to make sense to have the HS there but perhaps Japan and N. America are to be the main markets.
07-13-09, 04:55 PM
#12
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well the RX450 (and 400h) doesnt/ didnt have much competition. Just now are the clean diesels popping in. The RX is the only hybrid besides the prius that doesnt have any compromises in terms of battery packaging. It just gets good mileage and good power.
However, the HS has to compete to dozens of diesel alternatives in the compact/small car segment. I dont think it will do well there
However, the HS has to compete to dozens of diesel alternatives in the compact/small car segment. I dont think it will do well there
07-13-09, 07:11 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
I'm with flip. I haven't had a chance to review one (it's not here on the East Coast yet), but, from what I already know about it, I think it is going to be a big success here in America.
In Europe, I agree, it would be more questionable, because of Europe's addiction to diesels. And, I can understand the Lexus reluctance to spend a lot of money developing a diesel for it when they already had much of what they needed in the new Prius drivetrain as it is. Hybrids, in addition, don't need the periodic urea-solution refills every 10-15K miles that many new Blue-Tec diesels do.
In Europe, I agree, it would be more questionable, because of Europe's addiction to diesels. And, I can understand the Lexus reluctance to spend a lot of money developing a diesel for it when they already had much of what they needed in the new Prius drivetrain as it is. Hybrids, in addition, don't need the periodic urea-solution refills every 10-15K miles that many new Blue-Tec diesels do.
07-13-09, 07:46 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Power is not the name of the game in small hybrids. And, with the Prius roots of the hybrid drivetrain (some differences, but basically the same), good economy is virtually assured.