Autoblog Green

SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew

AutoblogGreen Staff — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST

Branew Lexus RX450h - click above image to view hi-res gallery

Let me be blunt: I don't like luxury crossovers. At all. It's a niche with no appeal to me whatsoever. Not a car, not a truck - just a fat sedan jacked up on stilts to woo trophy wives with fancy badges and reassure soccer mammas that their children are "safe." And the Lexus RX gets the sharp point of my spear of anger because it's basically responsible for the high-end CUV craze. Not a fan of hybrids, either. That said, I'm absolutely smitten with Branew's Lexus RX450h.

I think it's the stance, has to be. But there is just something very desirable - from an aesthetic standpoint. The big 24-inch wheels help tremendously, perching Branew's at just the right height. And the lower fascia helps the quite handsome - if not distinctive - OEM grill pop. And I know it's going to be a controversial opinion, but the koi fish on the hood totally work. In fact, I know a certain Subaru WRX that could use a koi or two. Anyhow, while I'd rather gargle nails than rock a luxo-CUV, if forced at gunpoint, Branew's RX450h would be my first (and only) choice.

SEMA 2009: Meet the world's most desirable Lexus RX450h by Branew originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota aims to sell 36,000 Sai hybrid sedans a year

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Toyota Sai - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota unveiled its de-badged Lexus HS250h/Sai in Tokyo this week and hopes that this model will be another incremental step toward its goal of 1,000,000 annual sales of hybrids. Initially at least, this will be a relatively small increment as the automaker is only looking to move about 36,000 Sais in the first year. That's similar to the number of HS units it wants to sell in North America. American consumers might wonder at why to produce another variant of the HS that is so similar. However, in Japan Toyota's sales network is quite different and there are multiple channels that don't all sell everything Toyota builds. In addition, there are quite a few models that are not offered outside of Japan. The Sai will sell for about $37,000, not that much less than the $43,000 Japanese price of the Lexus. The question at this point would be, if you like the styling of the Sai/HS250, why even consider the Lexus?

[Source: Reuters]
Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Toyota aims to sell 36,000 Sai hybrid sedans a year originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bargain Bin: High-priced hybrids get hefty incentives

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Cadillac, Lexus, USA

2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Surprise! Lexus and its parent company, Toyota, are apparently finding that it's not as easy selling hybrids for $106,000 as it is to move them for $25,000. The Lexus LS 600h L is certainly an excellent piece of automotive engineering, delivering gobs of horsepower and torque with at least a modicum of efficiency thrown in for good measure.

Still, sales of the LS range are down over 50 percent, leading the the Japanese auto giant to place a whopping $10,000 cash incentive on its range-topping hybrid model. Moving down the Lexus lineup a notch will net you a $3,000 incentive on the GS 450h. What's more, the company is throwing another $1,000 at any sales associate that manages to sell one of its pricey hybrids.

Not into expensive hybrid sedans? How 'bout we move to the exact opposite end of the fuel-saving market and into the driver's seat of a 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid. Signing on the dotted line for GM's top-of-the-line hybrid 'ute will cost you from about $73,000 to over $87,000... minus a five-digit discount, of course. Such a deal!

[Source: Auto Observer]

Bargain Bin: High-priced hybrids get hefty incentives originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Without Cash for Clunkers in September, Prius sales hold steady

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

Without the government-assisted sales boost of Cash for Clunkers, auto sales overall were down in September, but it wasn't as bad as all that. For the world's most iconic hybrid - the Toyota Prius - September sales went from 10,873 in 2008 to 10,984 in 2009, a change of -3.0 percent (there was one less selling day in 2009 compared to 2008, which is why the numerical increase is actually a decrease). For the year through September, Prius sales are down 19.4 percent: 130,561 in 2008 vs. 104,794 this year. So far this year, Toyota has sold 142,566 hybrid vehicles.

On the luxury side of the ToMoCo brand divide, sales of Lexus vehicles were down 9.1 percent compared to last year. The RX 450h CUV was a bright spot, selling over 50 percent more in 2009 than 2008. Last month, 2,460 Lexus hybrids were sold, 1,168 of them the RX 450h.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Without Cash for Clunkers in September, Prius sales hold steady

Without Cash for Clunkers in September, Prius sales hold steady originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Sai to be brand's second dedicated hybrid, goes on sale Oct. 20

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, Japan

2009 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though there have been plenty of reports that Toyota would apply the Prius name to other hybrids in its lineup, thereby creating a Prius sub-brand, the upcoming second dedicated hybrid from the Japanese automaker bearing the Toyota name will be simply named the Toyota Sai. The Sai goes on sale in Japan on October 20th and slots in between the Prius and the Crown hybrid.

Featuring a more powerful engine than the Prius (a 2.4-liter gasoline engine compared to the 1.8-liter in the Prius), the Sai will look similar to the Lexus HS 250h (pictured). Lexus has been selling the HS 250h in Japan since July and in the U.S. for a few weeks.

Toyota isn't giving out any clues about the car's overseas potential, but if the car ever comes to the U.S., it'll be a pretty solid competitor to the Ford Fusion hybrid. There's a market for some Toyota badge engineering mixed with hybrid tech here, right?

Gallery: Lexus HS 250h

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Toyota Sai to be brand's second dedicated hybrid, goes on sale Oct. 20 originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota readies a HS250h version for the Japanese market

Xavier Navarro — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, Japan

_{2009 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery}

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.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live reveal

[Source: Corism via Le Blog Auto]

Toyota readies a HS250h version for the Japanese market originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Lexus 600h revealed in full detail

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:51:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus

2010 Lexus LS600h - Click above for high-res image gallery

For 2010, Lexus is doing a mid-cycle refresh on its flagship LS lineup, including the hybrid drive LS600h. The system mainly carries over hardware, but some of the controls are enhanced with the latest updates featured on the new Prius, HS250h and RX450h. Among those are a new ECO mode that applies a filter to throttle inputs and air conditioning control. Small adjustments in the throttle position are ignored, allowing the powertrain to operate at a more constant rate, reducing fuel consumption. Similarly, the air conditioning uses the recirculate mode automatically and allows more variation in temperature.

One of the complaints we had about the LS when we reviewed it last year was the minuscule trunk for a car of its size. Lexus has reconfigured the nickel metal hydride battery pack to reduce the package size, allowing the trunk volume to be increased by about 1.24 cubic feet. The front brakes have also been upgraded with larger rotors and six-piston Brembo calipers. On the outside, the LS gets a new front fascia with a grille similar to the HS250h.

Gallery: 2010 Lexus LS600h

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Lexus 600h revealed in full detail

Frankfurt 2009: Lexus 600h revealed in full detail originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses

AutoblogGreen Staff — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:24:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Frankfurt Motor Show

Lexus LF-Ch Concept - click above image for hi-res gallery

We spent over 40 minutes photographing the oddly named Lexus LF-Ch Concept and still aren't sure what we think of it. From certain angles it's brilliant - everything the Lincoln Concept C tried to be, but wasn't. Yet from other angles... the word 'deformity' comes to mind. As does the term 'puffer fish.' Designed to be a 1 Series competitor, the little Lexus luxury hybrid hatchback answers one very important question: what does Chris Bangle dream about after eating a few sheets of blotter acid? Again, there are parts we like and parts that might have been put on backwards. Full press release after the jump.

Continue reading Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses

Frankfurt 2009: Lexus LF-Ch Concept hits, misses originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus could go even smaller than LF-Ch concept?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Lexus, Lightweight

Lexus LF-Ch Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus doesn't currently play in the small car segment in any of the markets it competes in. That's set to change in short order, as evidenced by the LF-Ch concept that the premium Japanese automaker is slated to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. Interestingly, Lexus could reportedly go yet another size class down. Speaking to Autocar, an unnamed marketing specialist says:

This segment will grow as more premium marques begin to build cars in this size. We already have the Mini and the Alfa Romeo Mito, and the Audi A1 is just around the corner... Indeed, the Mito has been a big success outside Italy, especially in the challenging German market. The Mini is under considerable pressure now.

BMW chose to enter the premium B-segment class with an entirely new brand in the form of its Mini division. That program has been highly successful for the German automaker, and Lexus believes the so-called supermini class will continue to grow. Says the Lexus marketer:

It's probably the third or fourth most important segment. In fact, the 'B' premium sector is already bigger than the large SUV segment. But it is very hard to make money in it.

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Lexus could go even smaller than LF-Ch concept? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Lexus reveals the LF-Ch concept, coming to LA show

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, LA Auto Show, Frankfurt Motor Show

Lexus LF-Ch concept - click above for high-res image gallery

Lexus has released a whole batch of exterior and interior photos of the LF-Ch concept that debuts next week in Frankfurt. The C-segment five-door hatchback seems a likely candidate for production in the next couple of years, but the car gets a very aggressive looking nose that will almost certainly get a major toning down before it hits the streets. Before that happens, though, we'll get to see the car on American soil in December when it debuts at the first big U.S. show of the season in Los Angeles.

The LF-Ch is expected to use the same 2.4-liter hybrid drivetrain that's in the new HS250h. With its aggressive styling and the more powerful drivetrain of the bigger HS, this could prove to be a more performance-oriented hybrid from Lexus. In fact, this could prove to be a very interesting competitor to Audi's new A3 TDI if it does materialize.

Gallery: Lexus LF-Ch Concept

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Officially Official: Lexus reveals the LF-Ch concept, coming to LA show

Officially Official: Lexus reveals the LF-Ch concept, coming to LA show originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Going Green: Hybrid sales increase again in August

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Ford, GM, Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, Green Daily, USA

2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery

Buoyed by Cash for Clunkers for the second month in a row, hybrid sales looked pretty darn good overall. Let's look at a few numbers. The biggest winner of the month was Nissan, which posted an almost unheard of 207-percent gain last month over August of 2008. Delving a bit deeper, Nissan's 3,164 Altima Hybrid sales were three times the 1,030 such vehicles sold in July.

As you would expect, Toyota grabbed the largest percentage of market share last month (nearly 50 percent), and the Prius was the main driver. All told, the automaker moved 18,886 Prius hybrids last month - while good, that's actually down 1.5 percent from July. Honda was second in hybrid market share and thanks to the new Insight with 4,226 sales last month.

Ford didn't fare particularly well in hybrid sales in August with a 12.3 percent decline in total. General Motors, on the other hand, saw its hybrid sales increase by 14.9 percent last month. Still, GM's overall market share is tiny and none of its models broke triple digits in July. Click here for a very thorough breakdown of August's hybrid sales figures.

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Going Green: Hybrid sales increase again in August originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota tops 2 million hybrid sales worldwide

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

In the 12 years since the original Prius went on sale, Toyota has sold over two million hybrid vehicles worldwide. Over that time, Toyota has now moved on to the third generation of the iconic Prius and added an array of hybrid drive models to both the Toyota and Lexus lines. Lexus is getting its fourth hybrid model this year with the launch of the HS250h and a new smaller hatchback that may also feature hybrid drive is expected at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

By expanding availability and continuing to develop the gas-electric technology, Toyota has driven down its costs and claims its hybrids are profitable. There are 13 hybrids in the automaker's lineup now and the company has repeatedly stated that it intends to offer hybrid versions of almost every vehicle in its lineup by the end of the next decade. The press release and sales tables are after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota tops 2 million hybrid sales worldwide

Toyota tops 2 million hybrid sales worldwide originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota Prius imports under threat from U.S. patent trade case?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:53:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, Legislation and Policy, Green Daily, USA

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

With every new vehicle introduced by Toyota that is powered by the automaker's proprietary Hybrid Synergy Drive comes a matching complaint filed by Paice LLC for patent infringement. In the latest case, Paice has filed a grievance with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington alleging that Toyota is violating a patent it holds for powertrains that feature both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor - better known as hybrids.

This isn't the first time these two companies have grappled over hybrid drivetrain patents. Back in 2005, Paice won an initial judgment against Toyota that resulted in an order that the automaker to pay Paice monetary damages of $4.3 million, though the judge rejected a request to force Toyota to halt sales of hybrid vehicles in the U.S. at that time. Later, Toyota was ordered to pay royalties equal to a small percentage of every hybrid sold in the States.

This time, Paice is taking a slightly different tack, seeking to get importations of Toyota's super popular Prius hybrid (along with all the rest of the hybrids from Toyota and Lexus) stopped by U.S. Customs right at the docks. According to Bloomberg, it could take about 15 months for the ITC to investigate this case, so there doesn't seem to be any reason to rush out and storm your local Toyota or Lexus dealer for a new hybrid... yet.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Toyota Prius imports under threat from U.S. patent trade case? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota to ask Japanese government to extend green car incentives

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:04:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, Legislation and Policy, Japan

2010 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

It comes as little surprise that Toyota would want the Japanese government to extend its current series of green car incentives past their scheduled ending date of March, 2010. After all, the automaker has seen sales of its latest hybrids skyrocket in its home market, and much of that success has been attributed to the generous tax incentives levied on hybrid vehicles in Japan along with relatively high gas prices.

For instance, Toyota sold an impressive 22,292 Prius hybrids in the month of June in Japan, and some buyers are adding their names to waiting lists that could stretch for months. Sales of the Lexus HS 250h have also proven rather strong and the automaker has reportedly accepted 10,000 orders for the entry-level luxury hybrid in its first month on the market.

An election last Sunday saw the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party take a major hit from the Democratic Party in Japan. According to Reuters, it's now feared that the new lawmakers may put an early end to the hybrid incentive program, so Toyota is lobbying early and often to get the program extended through 2012.

Gallery: Lexus HS 250h

[Source: Reuters]

REPORT: Toyota to ask Japanese government to extend green car incentives originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Refreshed Lexus LS and GS Hybrid sedans

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Frankfurt Motor Show

2010 Lexus LS 600h L - Click above for high-res image gallery

By far, the biggest news from Lexus at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show will be the unveiling of the LF-Ch hybrid hatchback concept. That doesn't mean Toyota's luxury brand won't have more to bring to the show later this month, though, and among those vehicles will be updated versions of the LS and GS Hybrid sedans.

There aren't any major changes to either of these machines that we know of, so this is mostly just a styling refresh. Up front, both hybrids will get a new grille that closely mimics the pattern that was debuted on the HS 250h earlier this year. That means horizontal bars will take the lead with a large Lexus emblem surrounded in a faint blue hue.

Other changes will include new color options, side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and updated audio and navigation systems inside. See both refreshed machines in our gallery below.

Gallery: Frankfurt Preview: Lexus LS and GS Hybrids

Frankfurt Preview: Refreshed Lexus LS and GS Hybrid sedans originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Lexus teases LF-Ch concept

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:14:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Frankfurt Motor Show, Green Daily

Lexus LF-Ch concept - Click above to enlarge

With just a few weeks left before the Frankfurt Motor Show kicks off in high gear, Lexus has decided it is high time to let loose a single teaser image of its hotly anticipated hybrid hatchback concept. The C-Segment model carries the LF-Ch designation and not the recently trademarked CT nameplate as first thought, making us wonder if there's something else up the automaker's corporate sleeve in the near future.

"Think BMW 1 Series, but hybrid." That's how Lexus describes the LF-Ch, and you could easily add the Audi A3 and Volvo C30 to that list of competitors. Underhood will be some form of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, though the Japanese automaker has yet to release any actual powertrain details beyond that. Expect a more detailed explanation of the car's finer points in the run up to Frankfurt.

[Source: Lexus]

Frankfurt Preview: Lexus teases LF-Ch concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus to drop non-hybrid RX, LS and GS in UK

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Lexus, UK

Lexus RX 450h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Despite the fact that diesel is undoubtedly the fuel of choice for a large percentage of Europeans looking to squeeze every mile out of a gallon of dead dino juice, Lexus seems to be sticking to its hybrid guns across the pond in a major way. In fact, Autocar reports that Toyota's luxury division will drop the non-hybrid versions of its RX, LS and GS models in the UK.

That means buyers looking to enjoy the pursuit of perfection with a healthy dose of Toyota's renowned reliability will only have one diesel-powered Lexus to choose from, that being the IS 220d, which comes with a 2.2-liter four cylinder diesel engine mated up to a manual transmission only. Similarly, the only gas-powered Lexus sedans not augmented by a hybrid powertrain will be the IS 250 (available with auto or manual transmissions and as a convertible) or the fire-breathing IS F.

Gallery: Lexus RX 450h clean plant

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Lexus to drop non-hybrid RX, LS and GS in UK originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus HS 250h in short supply; U.S. launch affected?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, Japan, USA

2010 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Once again, a hybrid sales success may mean shortages for Toyota as the Japanese automaker rolls out a desirable new product here in the United States. First, the new-for-2010 Prius hatchback proved to be such a stellar sales champ that Toyota found its production hampered by a shortage of batteries. Now, Automotive News reports that the new Lexus HS 250h is in such high demand in Japan that Toyota may not be able to provide an adequate supply of the luxury hybrid model here in the States.

Toyota had initially targeted 500 sales per month of the HS 250h in its home market, but a number of government-backed sales incentives and tax breaks for hybrid vehicles has boosted demand for the new sedan so much that Toyota saw 10,000 orders in its first month on sale in Japan. The Lexus HS 250h is scheduled to hit U.S. dealerships next month with a base price of $35,075 (including shipping), barring any unforeseen supply restrictions.

Gallery: Lexus HS 250h

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Lexus HS 250h in short supply; U.S. launch affected? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus hatch coming to U.S. in 2012?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Frankfurt Motor Show, USA

Lexus CT concept teaser sketch - Click above to enlarge

Just about a week ago, Lexus released a teaser image for a small hatchback that's tipped to debut in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September. At the time, we wondered out loud if Toyota's premium brand would see fit to offer the entry-level model here in the States since sales of small wagon-shaped premium cars like the Audi A3 and Volvo C30 have yet to set the world on fire.

Citing unnamed sources at Toyota, Automotive News (sub. req'd) reports that the Lexus hatch will indeed be developed for Europe but could possibly come Stateside in 2012. If that's true, the entry Lexus would potentially go up against the aforementioned European hatchbacks along with the BMW 1 Series and upcoming small cars from Cadillac and Lincoln.

Previous rumors had indicated that the new Lexus hatchback would be based on the Toyota Auris, carry the CT designation and come equipped with a range of hybrid powerplants - possibly starting with the 1.8-liter four cylinder with Hybrid Synergy Drive from the 2010 Toyota Prius.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

REPORT: Lexus hatch coming to U.S. in 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: Lexus shrinking luxury into Premium Compact Concept

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: MPG, Lexus, Frankfurt Motor Show

Lexus Premium Compact concept teaser - Click above for high-res image

One of the hallmarks of major auto shows is the teases and the hints that automakers dole out in the weeks (sometimes months) before the orchestrated unveilings under the bright lights. Lexus isn't saying much about a new "Premium Compact Concept" that will bow at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month other than, well, it's compact, which we assume means it'll be more efficient than something like the RX 450h. Lexus is also saying that the concept car "will demonstrate a mix of technical innovation and ground-breaking design that promises to raise the bar in the premium compact segment," which we're thinking means hybrid drivetrain. Could it also wear the CT name? We'll know more on September 15.

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: Lexus shrinking luxury into Premium Compact Concept

Frankfurt Preview: Lexus shrinking luxury into Premium Compact Concept originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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