Lexus Quietly Kills the HS 250h Hybrid

Just the Facts:

Toyota confirmed that the slow-selling Lexus HS 250h hybrid was dropped earlier this year.
The automaker said the new ES 300h "is not replacing" the HS when it arrives at dealers in August.
Lexus HS 250h sales plunged 73 percent last year to only 2,864 units, from 10,663 in 2010.

TORRANCE, California — Toyota confirmed that the slow-selling Lexus HS 250h hybrid was dropped earlier this year, but told Inside Line on Wednesday that the new 2013 ES 300h "is not replacing" the HS when it arrives at dealers in August.

In an email response to an Inside Line query, Toyota said: "Production of the HS 250h ceased in January, 2012. Lexus continues to monitor sales for each product and we make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment. The ES 300h is not replacing HS in our lineup. It's merely part of the hybridization of many of our existing vehicles in the Toyota and Lexus lineups."

Lexus HS 250h sales plunged 73% last year to only 2,864 units, from 10,663 in 2010.

The 2012 HS 250h was priced from $37,905, including shipping. The 2013 ES 300h has not been priced.

The HS 250h featured a 147hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and an electric motor. The new ES 300h gets a slightly larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, but is expected to get higher EPA fuel-economy ratings than the HS 250h.

Inside Line says: The smaller, less-expensive CT 200h had a relatively successful launch last year and likely stole more than a few prospective buyers away from the HS.

 

The white house in the background slightly to the left has been abandoned for years. I've always wondered what the story is on that. As for the HS, I am not surprised Lexus pulled the plug on it.

 

I wonder what will it do -
1. to resale value
2. maintenance and spare parts availability

 

Sad but reality. Maybe Lexus could go back to the drawing board and redesign the HS and bring it back with a vengence...

 

I just saw one last night on the freeway. I've always liked the look of both the CT200h and the HS. Sucks. Do hope Lexus does came back with a redesigned HS.

 

Sad. Although we all were expecting it...

My 2010 HS will be th last Lexus I own if there is no Lexus Hybrid choice between the CT/IS and ES.

CT is way to small and weak, ISh doesn't exist and the ESh, although nice; it's way too big.

I'll keep a hold of mine for a along as I can now.

Still think Lexus should of upped the hp and mpg with the new 2.5L, did a refresh/redesign a la GS with a spindle and spent some effort on marketing it... HS 300h.

I'll continue to love mine.

 

Yup, I agree.

And the HS is still way nicer than the Kia, Hyundai, Fusion and Lincoln. And except for the Lincoln, still nothing else to replace it in it's class, and nobody is buying those either.

 

There is a reason why the CT succeeded while the HS failed.

HS250h, you will not be missed

 

The thing about the HS was the looks, it looked like 'just another car'~ kinda corolla'ish and there it is, for 20k less you could have the same blend into the background car...

 

Just because one model of a brand is discontinued,I don't think its resale value has to suffer. Toyota discontinued the Echo and Celica but they seem to hold their value. It's another story when an entire make is discontinued, e.g., GM's dropping of Pontiac and Saturn. The Lexus brand (and Lexus dealers) will still be around even though new HS250hs won't be.

See above. I believe that in the US manufacturers have a legal obligation to continue to make spare parts available for a considerable length of time after a model is discontinued. Someone may know the details and can fill us in.

 

I seem to remember something about 7 years after a car is discontinued.
But in the case of the HS, it's only been discontinued in the US, sales in Japan are good so I'm sure it'll continue there and parts will be available for years.

 

I dont think they will totally kill it if it has its own platform. if it is sharing a platform from another model then its a possibility

 

The HS 250h is pretty much dead. Last month Lexus sold only 21 in the U.S. for a total of 612 from January through May 2012. If one were to annualize the 612 it would come out to 1,469 for the whole 2012. Most likely Lexus will only sell about 1,000 (if that) total HS's for 2012...

 

It's official now. Lexus U.S. has removed the HS from it's website...

 

I wonder if the Toyota Sai will be discontinued too?