Lexus HS 250h sales don't meet manufactures initial sales goals

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Lexus took a risk in trying to sell a small and somewhat pricey luxury hybrid.

Roman Mica - EXAMINER - May 5, 2010

Will Ford's new Lincoln Hybrid eat the 250h's lunch? --Ed.

11,228...that's the number of HS hybrids that Lexus has sold since the car hit the market last August.

1,076 units...that's how many Lexus sold last month.

20,000 to 22,000...that's how many HS hybrids Lexus originally projected to sell in the first year.

So the obvious question is why are the HS 250h sales falling below initial expectations?

"I think we underestimated the power of the Prius brand... And we overestimated what the market would look like based on gas prices. But if we can do over 1,000 units a month, 1,000-1,500 units a month, we feel really good about what we're doing in the marketplace," says Mark Templin, vice president of... [Read More]

[jpleong]

Sounds like the Insight...

JP

[PaleMelanesian]

Expensive, and disappointing mileage, with the result being low sales? Very Insight-like.

[noflash]

I don't get why this is such a failure -- purely b/c of looks? Sounds shallow. It's the cleanest, most comfy 35mpg, $35k car available. I know most of them are stickered $40k, but if I have $35k, I'd enjoy a base model with heated seats and get 90% of the mileage I get now.

nf

[noflash]

Originally Posted by PaleMelanesian

Expensive, and disappointing mileage, with the result being low sales? Very Insight-like.

Isn't it the cheapest Lexus?

Does it not get the best mileage of any Lexus?

nf

[PaleMelanesian]

Both good points. The Insight offers neither of those things.

[moneysaver]

Duh, what did you expect Toyota?

Slap a hybrid to Corolla size car, "borrow" Ford's 3 bar design for the grill and try to sell that for $35K. Yep, that sounds like a winning formula. Morons.

For that much money, why woudn't I buy Fusion hybrid, that retails for less in top trim level than base price for this car, is more spacious, offers better value, equipment and options not available in this over priced Corolla and not to mention, gets better FE?

This begs the question, are they going to reconsider the plans regarding Ch200 hatchback? Unless, it gets better FE and offers more stuff for same money than this atrocity, I don't see it being anyomre successful.

[GreenVTEC]

It doesn't seem like a Lexus product.

Sitting in the 250h then other models at the NYIAS you do a double take and wonder if the 250h is really a Lexus. More of an upscale Prius in my opinion, something 35K+ luxury buyers may not want.

Plus the other problem: Gas is still cheap. For the same price you could get a nicely appointed G37, A4, 3-series, C-class, etc.... I mean this may be based on a larger platform but the reality for most buyers is it looks like a spiced up Corolla. Not a luxury player.

[RichXKU]

Originally Posted by moneysaver

This begs the question, are they going to reconsider the plans regarding Ch200 hatchback? Unless, it gets better FE and offers more stuff for same money than this atrocity, I don't see it being anyomre successful.

The CT200h is a car I'm getting excited about. If it's capable of 40+ daily but still fun to blast around with in sport mode, I'm in.

[xcel]

Hi All:

Regarding the CT200h, it incorporates the Prius drivetrain vs. the Camry’s so it will easily bury 40 mpg. Let us hope Lexus does not get crazy and place 18” chromed bling with spinners to take it back down under 40

They ill not so expect a 45 mpgUS combined rating at a minimum.

Good Luck

Wayne