Live Green, Die Young: Is the Lexus HS 250h Doomed?
Of course, the name alone can’t be faulted for its sagging sales. The HS 250h has basically been living in the shadow of its cheaper sibling, the CT200h, and 17,000 were recalled last June to fix a problem which could have lead to leaking fuel after a rear-end collision. Last month, only 200-odd buyers drove off the lot with a HS 250h, which is a 72 percent decline from October 2010.
So what’s the issue? Well, ClubLexus’ own 1SICKLEX has spent plenty of seat time in the HS, and pointed out some of its issues while members were talking about its sales performance last June. While he described it as a “nice car,” he also listed these points:
- Styling is very ho hum at best
- Pricing is very high, it starts at nearly $35,000 and hits 40k then 45k with options! It is not cheap!
- MPG is best for a luxury car but I think a 40 MPG rating would have gotten more attention.
- Gas prices still are not at levels where people will jump to more fuel efficient cars
- The interior is different and people might not want that in a Lexus
- It drives remarkably well but Lexus marketing is not showing that, just talking about tech instead.
Since the HS has only been available since 2009, so if Lexus does wind up ditching it soon, that spells a pretty short lifespan for the brand’s first dedicated hybrid. But with sales numbers in the gutter, it’s probably better to retire it–at least in the US–and focus on the other cars in the lineup. After all, with hybrid versions of the CT, RX, GS and LX available, it’s not like hybrid buyers looking for a Lexus don’t have any options.
So what do you think? Will Lexus throw in the towel with the HS250h? And what would replace it? Sound off in the Forum!
