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This is the much better looking Lexus HS 250h that we won't get

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Lexus, Design/Style, Luxury

The Lexus HS 250h was put to rest in the US at the beginning of this year, but it is apparently being offered a way back onto the mortal coil in the Japanese market. This is reputedly a picture of what the JDM-spec entry-level Lexus hybrid sedan will look like, and what a difference 11 months makes. It appears that only the front clip changed, the brand's new design language giving it much more visual oomph than the hyped-up hybrid Corolla look we were offered.

It doesn't hurt that the front treatment virtually clones the 2013 Lexus ES, the blacked-out center bar in the spindle grille adding some aggression to the smaller package. The rest of the slow-seller's exterior looks to be carried over largely as it was when it left us, and a report by Lexus Enthusiast indicates the model's resurrection is scheduled to go on sale in Japan by the end of this month.

This is the much better looking Lexus HS 250h that we won't get originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus kills off slow-selling HS 250h

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:55:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus

Are you one of the few people looking to put a brand-new Lexus HS 250h in your driveway? Better act fast. Inside Line reports that Toyota's luxury division has killed off its slow-selling HS model:

"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."

We can't say we're surprised. Reports first surfaced in November of 2011 indicating that the HS 250h's days were numbered. After selling 10,663 units in 2010, which was already well shy of projections, HS sales dropped a whopping 73 percent to just 2,864 in 2011.

It's interesting that Lexus says the ES Hybrid is not a replacement for the HS, but we'd be a bit surprised if another standalone hybrid model made it into Lexus showrooms to replace the canceled HS - it seems to us that the current CT 200h hatchback and ES 300h ought to satisfy the needs of Lexus hybrid shoppers.

Lexus kills off slow-selling HS 250h originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Slow-selling Lexus HS 250h already getting the axe?

Zach Bowman — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus may stop production of the HS 250h. Reports have emerged that the model is suffering from flagging sales and that the luxury automaker may seek to replace the vehicle with a less-expensive, more youth-oriented product in the near future. Last month, Lexus managed to sell just 250 HS 250h units, which is a decline of 72.8 percent compared to the same (already low) period last year. Originally envisioned as a more upscale version of the Toyota Prius, the awkwardly styled HS 250h carries a substantial price tag that has likely done much to scare off would-be buyers. At over $37,000, the vehicle hasn't done a good job of convincing consumers of its merits. The modelhas only been on sale since late 2009 as a 2010 model, so if the reports are true, the HS 250h would lead a very brief life.

Should Lexus decide to kick the hybrid four-door off the team, the company will likely replace it with something more accessible for buyers. Reports suggest that the newcomer will likely cost somewhere around $30,000 and follow a marketing path similar to what's seen with the current CT 200h hatchback, a model that's been much more successful. That sounds nice, but we have to wonder if Lexus really needs two compact hybrids in the same price range.

Slow-selling Lexus HS 250h already getting the axe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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