Lexus HS 250h won't be sold in Europe, Europeans to get IS hybrid instead

he 2010 Lexus HS 250h will go on sale later this year in the U.S. with prices starting at $34,200; however, Lexus has ruled out selling its dedicated hybrid model in Europe. Instead Europe will get a hybrid variant of the Avensis and the Lexus IS.

“Selling the HS 250h here would be an emphatic no because of Toyota’s plans to put a hybrid in every range by 2020,” Lexus told AutoCar. ”The car would be premium d-segment and a direct competitor to the...
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agent507 - 7/22/2009 10:17:45 AM

-3 Boost

No Problem. Europeans won´t buy both, they buy diesel.

Good luck!

mpls - 7/22/2009 1:24:04 PM

-3 Boost

The latest generation Prius does more real world MPG than any simliar size diesel car, only smaller spcialist diesels compare on MPG. If you do say more tha 15K and driving on motorways with a diesel car maybe you would get close to the Prius.. The truth of the matter is, there is still more improvement to be made in the pertrol engine, and coupled that with hybrid technlogy, you can;t go wrong. I currently drive a diesel and get at least 10mpg less than the offical figure for the car..and evn then i'm driving very carefully no hard acceleration, which sort takes away the enjoyment sometimes. With a Hybrid, the motors does the hard accelration before the petrol kicks-in. I'd rather drive the latest generation Lexus hybrid RX rather than an simliar diesel SUV from say Audi or BMW. The medium future with be hybrids, foklowed by hydrogen!

Joe_Limon - 7/22/2009 3:07:20 PM

-1 Boost

I completely agree with your statement except with the last word. Do a life cycle analysis on hydrogen and you'll find it's as much of a waste of effort as wind power is.

theoptimisticpessimist - 7/22/2009 3:34:57 PM

+5 Boost

Errr, kids it's already sold in Europe. It's called the Toyot Avensis.

MSP6 - 7/22/2009 7:08:42 PM

+5 Boost

Dear Mitchell,

In Europe, since the Avensis is available over there, it would scream "Rebadged low-end car"

The average american hybrid buyer isn't smart enough to be interested in what's being offered outside their country.

They just want to have that "hybrid" badge to feel good and boost their egos. They are even willing to spend 30 grand on a rebadge low-end appliance used as delivery cars by many BBQ chicken fast-food outlets.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Toyota_Yaris_3-Door_(St-Hubert).JPG

Agent63 - 7/23/2009 2:50:58 AM

+1 Boost

Europeans won't buy this jumped up Corolla-Prius mix. The Lexus has a better chance and Toyota knows that. The IS is a far more appealing car than the HS. Not to mention Toyota has far better models outside of North America.

LUXCAR32 - 7/24/2009 9:57:01 AM

+1 Boost

Why didn't they do that in the states too!!! I would definitely want an IS hybrid over this junk. It would probably get similar gas mileage also. I still don't understand how this car only gets 34mpg when the prius get 51!