Episode #256 of the Autoblog Podcast is here a day late but still fresh, with Chris, Dan and Zach this week. Topics include the heavily revised Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the possible death of the Lexus HS 250h, the U.S. Chevrolet Spark and the Cadillac XTS. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!
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Lexus may stop production of the HS 250h. Reports have emerged that the model is suffering from flagging sales and that the luxury automaker may seek to replace the vehicle with a less-expensive, more youth-oriented product in the near future. Last month, Lexus managed to sell just 250 HS 250h units, which is a decline of 72.8 percent compared to the same (already low) period last year. Originally envisioned as a more upscale version of the Toyota Prius, the awkwardly styled HS 250h carries a substantial price tag that has likely done much to scare off would-be buyers. At over $37,000, the vehicle hasn't done a good job of convincing consumers of its merits. The modelhas only been on sale since late 2009 as a 2010 model, so if the reports are true, the HS 250h would lead a very brief life.
Should Lexus decide to kick the hybrid four-door off the team, the company will likely replace it with something more accessible for buyers. Reports suggest that the newcomer will likely cost somewhere around $30,000 and follow a marketing path similar to what's seen with the current CT 200h hatchback, a model that's been much more successful. That sounds nice, but we have to wonder if Lexus really needs two compact hybrids in the same price range.
The owner of the black Lexus HS 250h in this picture made two mistakes: illegally parking in a handicap spot and illegally parking in the handicap spot usually used by the owner of this classic Z/28 Camaro. [Pro-Touring] More »
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
Back in August of 1997, Toyota launched its Coaster Hybrid EV minibus, the company's first hybrid vehicle. Though the Coaster Hybrid is not a common name, it was the vehicle that started the hybrid revolution at Toyota. The Japanese automaker has now announced that cumulative sales of its hybrids have now topped the one-million mark in its home market. In addition, the company's global hybrid sales now stand at 2.68 million and counting.
In related news, Toyota announced that the Priustopped the sales charts in Japan once again, marking the 14th consecutive month that the Prius outsold all other models in the Japanese market. While Toyota is comfortably leading the way in hybrid sales, the company is committed to bolstering its lead. Toyota plans to introduce hybrid versions of all of its existing models by 2020 and aims to sell more than one million hybrids per year before the end of the decade. Follow the jump for more info on Toyota's continued dominance of the hybrid segment.
2010 Lexus HS 250h and 2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image galleries
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just wrapped up a couple more crash tests of both the Lexus HS 250h and the Suzuki Kizashi. The little luxury hybrid recently underwent both side impact and rollover testing, nabbing Acceptable and Good ratings in each category, respectively. The HS 250h has also received a Good rating in offset frontal crash testing conducted earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Kizashi has received its first ever crash rating from IIHS. After completing rollover testing, the IIHS gave the sedan an Acceptable rating. Further testing for front and side impact crashes will be completed later on.
The IIHS awards vehicles one of four ratings based on intrusion into the passenger cell - Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. In order for a vehicle to secure the coveted Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must score Good in all four of the institute's crash tests. Unfortunately for Lexus and Suzuki, neither vehicle is eligible in their current form for a Top Safety Pick nod.
2010 Lexus HS 250h and 2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image galleries
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has just wrapped up a couple more crash tests of both the Lexus HS 250h and the Suzuki Kizashi. The little luxury hybrid recently underwent both side impact and rollover testing, nabbing Acceptable and Good ratings in each category, respectively. The HS 250h has also received a Good rating in offset frontal crash testing conducted earlier this year.
Meanwhile, the Kizashi has received its first ever crash rating from IIHS. After completing rollover testing, the IIHS gave the sedan an Acceptable rating. Further testing for front and side impact crashes will be completed later on.
The IIHS awards vehicles one of four ratings based on intrusion into the passenger cell - Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor. In order for a vehicle to secure the coveted Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must score Good in all four of the institute's crash tests. Unfortunately for Lexus and Suzuki, neither vehicle is eligible in their current form for a Top Safety Pick nod.
