Lexus Euthanizes Slow Selling, Overpriced HS 250h Hybrid Sedan

[seftonm]

Lexus HS 250h sales plunged 73 percent last year to only 2,864 units

Brandon Hill - DAILYTECH - May 18, 2012

Why were sales so unimpressive? --Ed.

When it comes to hybrids, Toyota has experienced a great deal of success with its Prius family of vehicles and hybrid variants of its Camry and Highlander. Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, hasn't experienced the same amount of widespread success with its hybrid models.

Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model, the awkward-looking HS 250h, has been a sales disaster. Sales of the hybrid reached a high of 10,663 units in 2010, but plummeted 73 percent last year to a pitiful 2,864 units. As a result, Lexus has already ended production of the vehicle.

"Production of the HS 250h ceased in January, 2012," stated a Lexus representative to Inside Line in an email. "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."

The HS 250h has been outpaced by the cheaper, more fuel efficient CT 200h, and the upcoming ES 300h will slot in above the HS 250h’s current spot in the Lexus family.... [Read More]

[Bruce]

Why were sales so unimpressive?

The rich want cars that either scream "I'm rich and don't care about gas costs!" or "I'm an enviro-nut!"

This does neither. For the rest of us, it's overpriced for basic transportation and costs more to fuel than similar size vehicles.

- Bruce

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by Bruce

The rich want cars that either scream "I'm rich and don't care about gas costs!" or "I'm an enviro-nut!"

This does neither. For the rest of us, it's overpriced for basic transportation and costs more to fuel than similar size vehicles.

- Bruce

Actually, it was just that it got beaten. It did OK initially, but then Ford brought out a more efficient Lincoln hybrid and Lexus moved most of the remaining sales when they released the CT200h.

[RichXKU]

35 MPG combined is pretty unimpressive especially for $40,000

[PaleMelanesian]

35 mpg combined and $40,000? Where have I heard that before?

VOLT! At least it goes 35 miles in electric mode first.

[WriConsult]

I definitely see more CT200hs than HS250hs on the road, despite the CT being newer.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

While 35mpg pales in comparison to other hybrids, there wasn't a luxury car competitor that matched it at the time of release.

And yes, Sean, I'm sure if we were energy-conscious and spending 40k on a car we'd be much more likely to spend it on a Volt, loaded Prius Plug-In, LEAF or Focus BEV and then do something with the tax credit. I'd probably go for a Volt, but only because my wife has range anxiety.

[Ophbalance]

And yet, they're not killing the ($112000) LS hybrid? Oy.

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Hi, Colin -- guess there's nothing left for me to say?

[volton]

its pretty simple, its butt ugly