Not on its first month, friends, but on its first year in the market. That’s a conservative target, especially compared to the figures from the Toyota Prius, the car’s sibling. The Prius sells 150,000 units annually, and Toyota is aiming to up its target to 180,000 units on the first year of the car’s third generation.

The Toyota Prius has invaded the hybrid vehicle market, securing almost 75% of all sales on hybrid vehicles. If Toyota achieves its 25,000 target on the Prius’ upscale sibling, the HS hybrid will most probably take command of the luxury hybrid market. Right now, the HS250 is the only gas-electric vehicle in the luxury auto segment. It’s going on sale in the US late this summer, and the people over at Toyota and Lexus have high hopes.

Mark Templin, group vice president of the Lexus Division for Toyota North America, told Reuters that more than 60 percent of entry luxury buyers would consider a hybrid. And despite the weak economy, Templin said that the economy is improving.

[Source: Motor Authority & Reuters]