Report: Lexus HS Hybrid Pulls in 1,500 Preorders in Japan

12 July 2009

The Nikkei reports that Toyota Motor Corp. has received about 1,500 preorders for its Lexus HS hybrid car (earlier post) in Japan, roughly three times more than the firm’s monthly sales target.

Meanwhile, Toyota’s new Prius hybrid, released in May, has been selling extremely well. The car is so popular, in fact, that delivery now takes eight months after placing an order. Given this, some eager customers may switch their existing orders to the Lexus HS.

About 90% of orders for the Lexus RX, released in April, are for hybrid models, highlighting the surging popularity of such green vehicles.

In the US, hybrid versions of the Lexus RX represented 7.2% of all RX models in June. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h will be available in the US later this summer.