Toyota's Lexus launches first hybrid sedan in Japan

• Source: xinhua
• [08:23 July 15 2009]
• Comments

Toyota's Lexus launched Tuesday the first dedicated hybrid sedan in Japan, hoping the eco-friendly model can be a hit in the increasingly competitive auto market amid the global economic downturn.

The model, HS250h, has a hybrid-system-achieved 23 km per liter fuel efficiency, which Toyota said is exceptional for a premium sedan. Another highlighted feature is it uses a plant-based plastic that reduces environmental impact for interior parts and components.

The vehicle is priced at 3.95 million yen ($42,500)to 5 million yen ($53,700). It had received more than 3,000 pre-launch orders for the new model and aims to sell 500 of the vehicles per month in Japan, according to the company.

Lexus plans to introduce the model in North America in September.

"Now we would like to challenge the market with cars that are good both for driving and for the environment," Toyota President Akio Toyoda said at a press conference in Tokyo. "This HS250h is the new challenge from Lexus."

Honda's new Insight hybrid was the top-selling car in April, before being overtaken by the Prius of Toyota in June.

The Prius, which debuted in mid-May, has appealed to customers with a retail price starting from 2.05 million yen ($22,043) and with better fuel efficiency at 38 km per liter.

Lexus was introduced by Toyota in 1999 for the North American market, and was later expanded elsewhere.