2010 Lexus HS 250h May Be In Short Supply for American Market

Due to its overwhelming success in its native market, Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid--the 2010 HS 250h--may be in short supply when the car goes on sale in the U.S. next month.

Toyota was expecting to sell 500 of the HS 250h in Japan during the hybrid’s first month of sales, but sold roughly 20 times that number. In its first month of sales, the HS 250h racked up 10,000 sales and a six-month waiting list. The unexpected surge in demand in Japan could affect U.S. dealerships’ supply of the Japanese-made car.

“We hope there won’t be a problem, but we’ll see,” said Monika Saito, a Toyota spokeswoman.

Lexus hopes the HS will win younger customers that have been going to BMW and Mercedes-Benz. It's priced accordingly, with a the base HS 250h priced at $35,075, around $1000 more than both the Mercedes-Benz C-class and BMW 3-series.

When the HS 250h goes on sale next month, it will be Lexus’ first bespoke hybrid, and its first four-cylinder model. With an EPA rating of 35/34 mpg (city/highway), the car also attains the best fuel economy of any Lexus.

Source: Automotive News