Lexus discontinues HS 250h hybrid - Digitaltrends.com
Case in point: the Lexus HS 250h hybrid, which was just officially discontinued, even though it has been out of production since January. According to Lexus, the HS 250h is being withdrawn due to poor sales. “We make adjustments to make sure that we meet market demand, and the discontinuation of HS was part of that adjustment,” company officials said. The HS was launched at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, and Lexus wanted to sell 25,000 to 30,000 units annually. Lexus sold 6,699 of the hybrids in 2009, 10,663 in 2010, and 2,864 in 2011. The HS seemed to be based on sound principles, but the crowded hybrid market ultimately made selling Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid difficult. The HS is close in size to the Toyota Prius, but Lexus originally said it would appeal to a different market, because of its luxury features and more regal sedan body style. Add to that the fact that an HS 250h costs $37,905, while a Prius starts at $24,760, and it is hard to make a case for the Lexus. Toyota thought the Lexus name would attract customers interested in luxury, but it was no match for the Prius name’s association with economy and environmental responsibility. The HS was not just competing with the Prius, it was also competing with other. Source: www.digitaltrends.com
