RJQMAN

I got an e-mail today from the man that sold me my 250h a couple of weeks ago. He said they were notified today that Lexus will no longer import the HS250H to the US - it will only be available in Europe and the far east. I am not surprised - just disappointed. This guy is pretty accurate, and I strongly suspect he is correct. Cannot prove it though. Glad I got mine while I could.

Trexus

That's ashame. All Lexus had to do was restyle it...

KGenaidy

Too bad if it's correct.

Kind of makes sense if an ES3xx hybrid is coming out next year.

It makes my choices for my next vehicle a bit more interesting.

TheAirman

Interesting. Any more info about this would be appreciated. Did he site his sources?

They only sold "hundreds" of the HS over the past two years. I wonder if that will increase or decrease the resale value due to the rarity?

Trexus

In actuality Lexus sold in the U.S. the HS 250h as follows:

2009 - 6,699
2010 - 10,663
Jan - Sep 2011 - 2,178

Outside the U.S. most likely the numbers are doubled to about 39,000 units sold since 2009.

Alucard

I like the HS.

It just seemed to get too pricey for what it was when optioned out.

spwolf

how will they continue to sell it in Europe, when they dont sell it at all in europe

:-).

DDS62

Just spoke to the top (and most senior) sales person at Lexus River Center- the person that makes many of their sales videos. He said he knows nothing this. However it may be something that has not yet reached his attention. He will be in a regional meeting on Thursday and he will let me know on Friday or Saturday if it is true. He said the demand for the HS is high and it would surprise him, but it could happen.

Trexus

Lexus could focus more on selling the HS in China since it is the largest car market in the world and with over 1billion people that's alot of opportunity to sell lots of cars there...

DDS62

That is my suspicion also (if true). Such a decision would result because of a supply side problem, not demand.

RJQMAN

More specifically he said 'worldwide' sale - I interpreted that as meaning Europe. My bad. He said he obtained the information from a 'Lexus Production Meeting' held 'last week.' That is all In know, and it is 2nd hand information and so I cannot vouch for its accuracy.

RJQMAN

I agree. 1-1/2 inches lower and about 6 inches longer making the boot (or the trunk) larger, and it would be just about perfect. But they did not ask my opinion.

RJQMAN

Please post what you find out. My wife now wants one, and I do not know whether to hurry and try to find one somewhere, wait until next year (which is what I planned to do - $$$), or wait for the 300. I wonder if the 300 will have the tech goodies of the HS250H. It is the technical stuff that sells me on the car, and once she saw the navigation projected in the heads-up display, showing even how many lanes on the freeway turned and how many stayed straight, and which lane to get itno, she was sold. (And I did not want to tell her - but that was a surprise to me too - it is really amazing stuff).

DDS62

Just received a message from Lexus RiverCenter (Greater Cincinnati downtown area) and they confirm that they know of no plan to pull the HS from the US. They will be receiving 2012 HS's and will receive their first shipment in 60 to 90 days. The message however was somewhat vague in as much as there was no statement that the rumor was totally incorrect - only that the 2012 production and shipment to the US is confirmed. So maybe next October? Who knows. I still say that the HS will be the beginning, not the end of a niche category of "mid size Hybrid only model" much as is the CT as a compact. But here I go speculating again. If you would like to contact them ask for Phil Booth. Honest, good character and a straight forward businessman.

And I would like to correct a statement that no one probably remembers I even made - that the Hybrids could be expanded to receive a turbocharger to further enhance the power factor. In fact the Atkinson cycle engines that Toyota uses with their Hybrids are designed to minimize high velocity exhaust gases (zero pressure BDC) which negates the ability to mate turbocharges to them. Actually you really need to be a auto engineer to understand these things in detail.

Trexus

That's good news. Thanks for updating us...