Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Honda, Tokyo Motor Show
Honda's new dedicated hybrid to be a high-volume model
Although Honda has no plans to pursue plug-in hybrid vehicles for the time being and they aren't taking Toyota's shotgun approach of putting their hybrid system in everything they build, they haven't given up on hybrids. Honda is focusing their efforts where they feel they will be most effective. That means that larger cars, like the Accord, and crossovers and trucks will be getting clean diesel engines. Smaller cars that mostly commute in urban areas will use hybrid systems because they are most likely to be able to take advantage of regenerative braking. Honda CEO Takeo Fukui spoke to reporters ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show about the new dedicated hybrid vehicle the company will introduce in 2009. Unlike the Insight, which had limited appeal due to its small size and only two seats, the new model will be larger and be built in much higher volumes. Honda is working aggressively to lower the cost premium of the hybrid system to no more $1,750 and down the road it could be combined with diesel engines for even greater efficiency.
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ping Wang 3:51PM (10/24/2007)
I wonder if the insight's relative failure to the Prius has anything to do with the differing positions the 2 companies have taken on hybrids.
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philmcneal 6:25PM (10/24/2007)
i bet the dedicated Honda model will be something similar to the Honda fit but I highly doubt it'll be based on a current car so it can show that the car will be a true prius competitor.
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philmcneal 6:26PM (10/24/2007)
forgot to add, i think Honda's approach to "Zero emission vehicles" to be interesting. I like how their company is focused on the holy grail of hydrogen while Toyota/GM is banking on the Plug in race.
May the best company win! Usually I have doubts about Hydrogen but if Honda feels that way then... who knows?
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John Kurmann 8:23PM (10/24/2007)
Ping Wang:
I own a 2000 model year Honda Insight, and I have multiple friends who own Prius hatchbacks, so I can tell you why the Insight sold poorly while the Prius has sold very well: The Insight was a tiny, very lightweight, 2-passenger, underpowered car with a highly-unusual body style (those rearwheel skirts really look weird to people) that doesn't have any side airbags but gets the best fuel economy of any car ever sold by a mainstream automaker in the U.S. The Prius hatch is a midsize, roomy, 5-passenger, highly-versatile, adequately-powered car with an unusual body style that is considerably safer than the Insight yet still gets excellent fuel economy. Need I say more?
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Rick 3:22PM (10/25/2007)
The Insight was also hideous, I think that contributed equally with the other points.
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