Toyota readies a HS250h version for the Japanese market

According to Japanese site Corism, Toyota is preparing a rebadged version of the Lexus HS 250h for its home market. The model, called the Toyota SAI, should slot nicely between the Prius and the Crown hybrid.

The main difference between the two models is said to be the lower equipment level in the Toyota versus its stablemate from Lexus, which helps reduce the sticker price of the car by about half a million yen (roughly $5,500). Lexus has only been a brand in Japan for four years, so the Toyota marketing department aims at selling more units of the car, regardless of what nameplate resides on the decklid. Sales of the new Toyota hybrid will reportedly start next November.

[Source: Corism via Le Blog Auto]