Lexus expects to sell more LS 600h hybrids in Europe than US

While its obvious Lexus wants its flagship hybrid to sell more in its home country, the Japanese premium auto maker is expecting Europe to be the second largest market for the Lexus LS 600h and the LS 600h L. The most expensive Lexus ever, the $104,750 car is the world’s first full-hybrid vehicle equipped with a 5.0 liter V8 powertrain that produces 430 horsepower.

Lexus expects to sell a total of 7,000 Lexus LS 600h hybrids in 2007 with Japan accounting for 3,600 units, Europe accounting for 2,160 units and the US accounting for 1,200 to 2,000 units in the US.

“I was surprised by that,” Sam Sadakata, Lexus’ Chief Engineer for hybrid drive, told Automotive News. “I thought the hybrid market was more the United States and Japan.”

The Lexus LS 600h L is expected to go on sale in the US in late July or early August.

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