Friday July 17, 2009

2009/2010 Lexus HS250h unveiled by Toyota as first hybrid-only Lexus model

channelnewsasia.com :

Toyota unveiled on Tuesday [14 Jul 2009] its first Lexus sedan available only as a hybrid, hoping that the popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles will help the luxury range buck the economic downturn. The 2009/2010 Toyota Lexus HS250h sedan offered improved fuel efficiency of 23 km/l [43 mpg], combining a 2.4L petrol engine with an electric motor. The Lexus line already has several hybrids, but the HS250h is the first hybrid-only model.

The new Lexus will go on sale in North America in September. Japanese automakers have made strides with hybrid cars because of high oil prices and growing concern about emissions blamed for global warming. The 2009/2010 Toyota Prius has been the top-selling car in Japan for the past two months. Rival automakers are seeking to challenge its lead. The 2009/2010 Honda Insight hybrid was the top-selling car in April, before being overtaken by the Prius.

- Still early days yet to see how this particular model will do, but it's good to Toyota continue to execute on its all-hybrid model strategy. By puting its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system on different models and with increased production, Toyota would gain valuable integration experience as well as achieve economies of scale, so as to be able to drive down the cost of the hybrid components for future model generations.

See also :

1. Green business strategy
2. Toyota to go all-hybrid by 2020
3. New York taxi fleet to go all-hybrid by 2012
4. Toyota, Matsushita to build Ni-MH and lithium-ion battery plants for hybrid-electric cars
5. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option

(2009-07-17 09:05:01 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :

1. 2010 Nissan Leaf electric car specifications : 107hp, 24KWh lithium-ion batteries, 100-mile range
2. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
3. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
4. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004
5. How to insert currency exchange rates into Google Spreadsheets
6. Singapore : Nuclear power not ruled out
7. Live spot gold price quotes chart on COMEX
8. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option

Featured articles on lowem.log :

1. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
2. 2010 Honda CR-Z hybrid, 2010 Honda Fit/Jazz hybrid models confirmed
3. 2010 Toyota Prius specifications released : 50 mpg, 1.8L, 134hp, Ni-MH, solar roof option
4. Honda, GS Yuasa JV to make lithium-ion batteries for 2010/2011 Honda Civic Hybrid
5. New efficient nanotech materials may boost enhanced geothermal power systems
6. NYMEX crude oil recovers from $32.40 low after 2.2 mbpd OPEC production cut announced
7. Singapore property market recovery seen as private home sales surge 52% in Jul 2009
8. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 0.69% in Jan 2009, lowest since Apr 2004