Official: Toyota Sai, the new sister model to the Lexus HS 250h

interesting...

toyota hybrid only by 2020?

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 11:06:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

After all this time they are still rebadging cars. I thought they were suppose to be unique and completely a separate entity????????? Guessss not!.. It's a shame and a scam to make people believe a Lexus is on its own developing new engines for itself and platforms as well. That is why Lexus is not respected globally. Only for it's value on the dollar. I can see all the bandwagoners start hating very quickly. Sorry to offend all those Toyota owners but at least if you're a Toyota owner you have something to be proud of. At least if you had recalls you didn't pay so much it makes you think twice.

The Toyota vehicles involved are 2007 to 2010 Camrys; 2005 to 2010 Avalons; 2004 to 2009 Priuses; 2005 to 2010 Tacomas and 2007 to 2010 Tundras. Lexus models are 2007 to 2010 ES 350s and 2006 to 2010 IS 250s and IS 350s

— GTR1 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 11:22:35 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

-GTR1.
No where in the article did it mention this new Toyota even coming to the USA, and no where in the article did they show pictures.

How did you come to the conclusion that this new Toyota will only differ from the Lexus by only a badge?

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 12:43:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Is it supposed to help the already weak HS250h upmarket image ?

— MSP6 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 1:39:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5   

Isn't the HS250h already a rebadged prius? That would make this thing... extra inbred?

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 2:35:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

I wonder if it will look like a Corolla with a Ford Fusion grill just like the 250h does...

— Argelius (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 6:12:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

truly SMART people in japan and the rest of the world know it doesn't really make a HUGE difference if a car is badged lexus OR toyota. both are made by the same company to the HIGHEST STANDARDS of mechanical reliability. everything else is secondary.

so even 'ordinary' toyotas, cosmetic trimmings and fittings aside, are mechanically SUPERIOR to any other makers' cars, regardless of 'heritage,' 'prestige,' and whatever other factors that are SECONDARY to being an AUTOMOBILE. whose basic job is reliable transport, with minimal fuss and bother.

further, there are even some TOYOTA models more luxurious and prestigious than even the Lexus LS600 and LX470. namely, the v12 Toyota Century.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 10/1/2009 10:47:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Can't see a market for this in N.America since we get the Camry-hybrid.

XYZZ,
Toyota Crown Majesta is priced to compete head to head against the Lexus LS in Japan. That's how much they love Toyota there.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 12:15:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

How many domestic cars are like that? Lincoln MKZ/Mercury Milan/Ford Fuzion. Cadillac Escalade/GMC yukon/Chevy Tahoe. Ford F150/ Lincoln MKT. Ford Expedition/Lincoln Navigator. Chrysler 300/Dodge Charger. Chrysler Aspen/Dodge Durango. Japan. Nissan Armada/Infinity QX56. Infinity M45/Nissan Fuga 4.5gt. You have some luxury car companies that have parent companies then you are going to have badge engineering. At least wit Audi/VW it isn't so obvious because the styling is so different. Even though in some cases they are on the same chassis, you can't tell because they don't share the same overall design. sheetmetal overall shape etc are drastically different.

— 85bmw745i (View Profile)

Posted on 10/2/2009 12:52:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1