2012 Lexus Lineup Gets Minor Price Changes

When Lexus’ 2012 lineup hits dealerships later this summer through the fall, nearly half will have the same price as the outgoing 2011 versions. Price increases for other model and trims are minimal, ranging from $200 to $700.

Most of the 2012 lineup remains pretty much unchanged compared with 2011, too. There’s no GS sedan for 2012, but an all-new 2013 Lexus GS 350 was just unveiled and will go on sale in early 2012; pricing hasn’t been announced.

The 2012 Lexus CT 200h gets a standard virtual engine sound — similar systems are found on the Infiniti M35h and Nissan Leaf. A new F Sport Package is available on the CT 200h as a factory option on Premium trims only. Pricing isn’t known.

The 2012 Lexus HS 250h makes use of more eco-friendly bioplastic materials upholstery and carpeting in the cabin. The 2012 GX 460 now has bodyside moldings and high-gloss-finished 18-inch wheels standard.

The 2012 Lexus IS F gets new 19-inch wheel designs, wider rear tires and new shock absorbers, all of which will improve handling, Lexus says. The IS F comes with red leather upholstery for 2012, replacing the two-toned orange/black setup.

Destination fees for all models are set at $875, the same as last year. Continue reading below for more pricing details.

Toyota Sells its 1 Millionth Prius

Toyota sold its 1 millionth Prius hybrid in the U.S. this week. The announcement comes as the Prius faces increased consumer demand as well as potential supply constraints.  

It’s been more than 11 years since the first Prius went on sale in the U.S. We’ve been through three iterations of the nameplate now. The latest is the largest, most powerful and most fuel efficient yet, rated at 51/48 mpg city/highway. It’s currently the most fuel-efficient (non-electric) vehicle in the U.S., according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Toyota Resumes Production of Prius, Lexus Hybrids

Toyota announced that it will resume production of the popular, and currently scarce, Toyota Prius on Monday in Japan. As we previously reported, availability of the model was rapidly diminishing since the automaker halted production in Japan after the earthquake that hit the country earlier this month.

The new 2011 Lexus CT 200h, which went on sale at the beginning of this month, and the slow-selling HS 250h will also resume production Monday, Toyota said.

Toyota restarted production of replacement parts and parts used to build other Toyota models overseas last week.

Toyota didn’t mention when other models produced in Japan will go back into production. The company builds the 4Runner, Yaris and most Lexus and Scion models in the country. Earlier this week, Toyota warned of shutting down its North American plants due to parts shortages.

Buick Sales Soar Past Lexus

An air of hyperbole seems to float in the mainstream media about the success of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. They cite things like earnings reports, repaying debt, you name it. But they don’t usually tackle the concrete sales of cars.

When you look at the numbers, one success story clearly stands above all: Buick outsold Lexus in February, for the second month in a row. Buick also outsold Mercedes-Benz (if you discount sales of the Sprinter work van), along with Audi and Acura. Only BMW outsold Buick on the strength of BMW’s new X3 SUV. The storied German brand topped Buick by 800 units.

The story, though, is Buick. With just four vehicles in showrooms — the Enclave crossover and the LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal sedans — it has outsold the nearly unbeatable Lexus.

Lexus Announces October Incentives

Lexus has had some generous lease deals in the past, and October’s incentives will be no different. To move the metal – Lexus’ sales were down 5.5% in September – the automaker is offering early lease maturities, waiving up to six early payments, for folks who purchase or lease a new Lexus through Lexus Financial Services.There’s also a conquest trade-in offer, the company is offering $1,000 for turning in a competitor’s vehicle for a new Lexus purchase or lease.

The automaker is also offering generous lease deals. The company is offering low $389-$399 a month lease rates on the 2010 Lexus ES and $339-$359 a month deals on the 2010 Lexus IS. Like Toyota, Lexus deals vary by region. To check out the special lease and financing offers in your area, go to Lexus’ website.

Below are the October incentives:  

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid Priced at $34,330

Ford has priced its first luxury hybrid, the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, at $34,330, not including an $850 destination fee. There is no price differentiation between the regular V-6 MKZ and hybrid model, which means the V-6 model got a $105 price bump for the 2011 model year. With this move, Lincoln has made this a choice between performance or fuel efficiency. The MKZ Hybrid competes with other fuel-efficient entry-luxury sedans such as the Lexus HS 250h, Acura TSX and the BMW 335d. 

The Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and a hybrid system that together generate 191 horsepower. The vehicle achieves an EPA rating of 41/36 mpg city/highway. The MKZ Hybrid is only available in front-wheel drive; gas-powered MKZs can be had in both front- and all-wheel drive.

Lexus Recalls HS 250h, Halts Sales

Toyota’s luxury division Lexus is recalling its first hybrid-only model, the HS 250h, due to a problem with its fuel system.
 
During an impact that involves the car rotating 90 degrees, an excessive amount of fuel can leak out and, if ignited, result in a fire.

Toyota filed the recall with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today, and Toyota released a statement saying it will halt sales of the vehicle until a remedy is found. There has been no word on whether the company will provide loaner vehicles to owners, and currently it seems that it is for 2010 model year vehicles, potentially 17,000 cars in all.

Owners can call Lexus at 800-255-3987 or NHTSA’s hot line at 888-327-4236.

More on Toyota's recent recalls

Inside Toyota's Recall Solutions

Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons shows the newly redesigned all-weather floormat (right) compared to the old floormat (left). The new floormat is thinner, smaller and more flexible.

In a three-hour session on Thursday, Toyota summarized and demonstrated for reporters what it’s doing to correct the acceleration and braking problems that led it to recall millions of cars around the world. The fixes they’re employing address both short- and long-term solutions as the automaker looks to remove consumer doubts about the quality of its vehicles.

Sticky Accelerator Pedal Recall
Vehicles Recalled in U.S.: 2.3 million
Vehicles Repaired: As of Thursday morning, more than 600,000
Short-Term Fix: Existing cars receive a metal shim inserted to increase spring tension on the pedal to help it spring back or a redesigned pedal assembly replaces the original pedal assembly.
Long-Term Fix: New cars have redesigned pedal assembly.

Since repairs started Feb. 5, Toyota dealers have processed more than 50,000 vehicles a day, but many observers, including U.S. lawmakers preparing for congressional hearings about the Toyota recalls next week, want to know exactly when Toyota became aware of the problem.

2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Lexus HS 250h Recalled

Toyota has announced a recall of 133,000 2010 Prius hybrids and 14,500 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrids to update software for the cars’ braking systems. The software will address a glitch in the antilock brakes, which when engaged on rough road surfaces or during inclement weather can lead to a loss of braking control.

It’s not known when dealers will have the software update, but Toyota says it will release the details “soon.” Prius owners will be notified next week with Lexus HS owners notified in the next few weeks.

This latest recall falls weeks after the company halted sales of its most popular models over sticky accelerator pedals. The Prius and Lexus HS were not part of that recall nor were they part of last year’s recall of more than 4 million cars for faulty floormats.

Prius owners with vehicles built since May 2009 — check your car’s driver-side doorjamb for a sticker that lists this date — are included. Every Lexus HS 250h, however, is included.

There is no halt on sales of new cars already on dealer lots. Cars currently being assembled have already had the issue addressed.

For more information, owners can call the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 800-331-4331.

Cars.com Podcast: 2010 Acura TSX, 2010 Audi S5, 2010 Lexus HS 250h

A few new models get extra power and editors Mike Hanley, Kelsey Mays and David Thomas discuss if they need the added oomph and corresponding price tags or not. Then they tackle Lexus’ first dedicated hybrid and if it is able to wear both a green halo and a luxury one at the same time.

Download the podcast via iTunes here or hit the play button below to listen in your browser.

Cars.com Podcast #38