Lexus HS 250h Sales Indicate That Even Americans Know A DUD From A STUD!

U.S. sales of the Lexus HS 250h, the first dedicated hybrid-electric vehicle from Toyota Motor Corp.’s luxury division, are running below target with 1,076 deliveries in April, according to Ward’s data.

Lexus had hoped to sell 20,000-22,000 units annually in the U.S. but is on pace to deliver fewer than 14,000, having sold just 4,529 copies through April.
 

Since the HS went on sale in August, Lexus has sold 11,228.

Lexus tinkered with the volume target a couple of times before the car’s launch. The brand once called for annual HS 250h sales in the 25,000-30,000 range.



 

 

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FanboyOfTheTruth - 5/5/2010 8:39:15 PM

+1 Boost

So even an AutoSpies reader can tell a troll from a real journalist!

Agent009 - 5/5/2010 10:07:20 AM

+2 Boost

Lexus sales estimates are typically VERY conservative. Given this they usually blow the estimates away and can brag about it is a run away hit. Everyone does this to a degree.

In the case of the HS 250h even the low ball estimates are not being met.

This is compounded just by Googling the reviews. They are currently running 5 to 1 against the HS 250h, with most claiming it is NOT worth the money. Very un-Lexus like.

So assuming the buyer in this category does any research, the reviews are telling them not to consider the HS 250h.

Agent009 - 5/5/2010 12:50:22 PM

+2 Boost

Many consumers would google any major purchase to see the reviews.

kpaxx - 5/5/2010 9:04:11 AM

+4 Boost

Still don't see how this can be considered a luxury car. The interior appointments/fit/finish are not up to snuff.

JUGNU - 5/5/2010 9:49:05 AM

-1 Boost

If HS250h isn't a luxury car than 1 series, A3, A class and B class are also not luxury cars.

JUGNU

Agent009 - 5/5/2010 1:12:35 PM

-2 Boost

BUT it is priced like a luxury car. BTW I just returned from Pei Wei for luch and the guy behind me pulled up in a HS 250h.

I asked him how he liked it and he response was "it is an "OK" car". I wasn't too sure how to interpret that, but I would have expected a bit more enthusiastic response.

raikkonen - 5/5/2010 9:22:39 AM

+8 Boost

What a piece of garbage. Typical Toyota stupidity. $35k Corolla.

enthusiastx11 - 5/5/2010 12:53:05 PM

+1 Boost

$45k with options.

reibok - 5/5/2010 9:38:58 AM

+5 Boost

exactly, i've thought from the very beginning that it looked like a lexus corolla. why didn't they just take the normal IS and make it a hybrid, like they did with all their other hybrids, ie GS, RX and LS, all of which look exactly like their non-hybrid conterpart...

pennfootball - 5/5/2010 10:08:25 AM

+10 Boost

The high end consumer is nto stupid, if they wanted a Prius they would buy a prius, not an overpriced bloated Prius with a Camry's 4 banger hybrid system that give it the same gas millage as a Hyundai Sonata.

222max - 5/5/2010 10:43:20 AM

+6 Boost

I think it's valid to point this out. Lexus has had sort of a Midas touch over the years but here is a bono-fide failure and it has little to nothing to do with the current bad press surrounding ToyoMoco. This is just an unappealing product in this market segment. I wouldn't spend good money on one and obviously a lot of people feel the same way.

PlanB - 5/5/2010 11:17:54 AM

+5 Boost

We had this discussion before when the car was debuted. Its not the best luxury car nor the best hybrid in this price range, not to mention it does look like a luxurious Corolla. So Lexus whats the point?

0to60 - 5/5/2010 11:33:51 AM

+4 Boost

I would recommend driving one then making a comment about the car...

LexusKindaGuy12 - 5/5/2010 12:42:20 PM

-5 Boost

Its clear that its not pretty to look at. this is because its shape was built around the hybrid powertrain. When this was unveiled, it had more trunk space than the LS hybrid (before repackaing of the LSh).

and what's with the title? EVEN Americans...

800over - 5/10/2010 11:25:45 AM

+1 Boost

I have to agree about the title....going by that I guess Agent009 thinks that the RX/Camry/Corolla are all "STUD" material.

LACMAN - 5/5/2010 12:47:15 PM

0 Boost

Ouch. Well maybe they should reconsider that green light to bring the CT200h over here to the states.

enthusiastx11 - 5/5/2010 12:52:11 PM

-2 Boost

what's sad is that are actually 11,000 people who were dumb/pretentious enough to buy this car. why buy a re-badged prius that costs $15,000 more than a prius and gets 15mpg less than a prius? not because you give a shit about the environment. that's what makes this car really insulting to any intelligent person.

als723 - 5/5/2010 1:29:14 PM

+1 Boost

I think the price is too high and the MPG is too low... this needed to be $30-35k (with options) and get over 40mpg... They are justifying the lower MPG than the Prius with "performance", yet it isn't even as gutsy as an IS250. They went FWD with a "sporty" car, and they put a Camry Hybrid powertrain into the Avensis... which is just a fancy way of saying 4-door Scion tC.

1BadMan - 5/5/2010 1:30:45 PM

+2 Boost

Dud was written all over it before it even came out. Take a European market Toyota Avensis and mate with a Toyota Camry hybrid drive train, and style it like a better looking Toyota Prius and you get... rolling bullsh*t! The market may come around for it but it is highly unlikely.

Instead of building that car, they should have spent the money on better parts for the lineup they already have. Toyota has a lot of missteps these days!!!!

david999 - 5/5/2010 3:26:12 PM

+1 Boost

This vehicle was rushed out to market. The sales estimates were based in part on the overwhelming demand in Japan for this car. When priced with options, it would be about $45k. It does not reach 40 mpg. Although Lexus is not un-happy with where sales are, most green-minded potential customers realize there are less expensive alternatives out there.

enthusiastx11 - 5/5/2010 5:50:19 PM

-1 Boost

correct. why pay MORE for LESS green. buy a prius if this is your thing.

OBie - 5/5/2010 5:06:23 PM

+4 Boost

Hmmm, guess Lexus didn't find enough Prius drivers willing to trade "up".

theoptimisticpessimist - 5/5/2010 11:13:10 PM

0 Boost

Hu I agree with you on almost nothing (except Jeeps) but you're spot on buddy.