Honda plans to introduce an entry-level hybrid in 2009
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Hot on the heels of Toyota's announcement that they'll be streamlining hybrid production and offering every vehicle in its lineup with the gas-electric option, a Honda sales exec has confirmed that beginning in mid-2009, a new hybrid will be launched.
Production is expected to be around 200,000 per year, which is a substantial sum considering that Toyota's popular Prius sold 186,000 units across the globe in 2006. The pricing of the yet-to-be-named Honda hybrid is planned to be below the current Civic hybrid and styling will supposedly be heavily influenced by the Remix concept that debuted in LA last November.
In the same Automotive News article, Ken Keir, managing director of Honda UK, said that production of a hybrid sports coupe is forthcoming and it won't look anything like the Small Hybrid Coupe concept that was unveiled in Geneva. To quote Keir, "... it will be much more like the Remix sporty small car concept show at the Los Angeles auto show in November – although the design has already moved on a lot since then." Considering the Small Hybrid Coupe concept was met with (ahem) less than glowing reviews, such styling revisions bode well for this new Honda.
[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matthew 8:14AM (5/14/2007)
Next generation Insight anyone? The last one was butt-ugly and from the looks of this thing, I don't expect any better.
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Mike 9:07AM (5/14/2007)
wtf? That looks nothing of what I'd imagine a next-gen Insight to look like. It looks like, ohmygosh, a completely new car! Which, incredibly, the article says that it's going to be! Thanks for attempting to read Matthew, but you fail.
I think that concept looks OK...maybe a 6/10 in my books, but it's nothing special, so I'm hoping that it actually did change quite alot.
If by entry level, they mean something that's cleaner and gets about 35 mtg, then I think it might make their hybrids way more popular.
I just remember that when I drove the Civic Hybrid that it had a rediculous amount of kick and was very fun to drive. Way more than it should have for its miniscule engine.
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Juan 9:18AM (5/14/2007)
The Toyota announcement was probably just boasting; I'm surprised Autoblog is taking it so seriously.
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Galley 10:22AM (5/14/2007)
All I need is a plug-in hybrid since 90% of my driving is done in the city.
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Nellydesign 10:24AM (5/14/2007)
Man, that thing was a turd. I don't know how it left the design studio in that state. I love the little Ford grill hanging out there like a buck tooth and the fact that not a single design element relates.
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Peter 10:34AM (5/14/2007)
I would love a new gen Insight (less ugly this time) it got amazing mileage and was the only hybrid with a 5speed.
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Matthew 11:28AM (5/14/2007)
Okay, Mike, compare the picture to the old Insight. Two door, hatchback, priced lower than the Civic hybrid, and two seats. Unless they make it sporty enough to compete well against the likes of the Prius, this is just going to be another lousy attempt to make a new Insight despite the style and name changes. Then again, I hate hybrids and prefer the new 2008 diesel engine in the new Volkswagens.
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ace 3:59AM (5/17/2007)
See what the American Auto Industry gives us - old trucks laden with options to talk young girls to drive
And the formerly upstart Japanese car industry
Where does it put it research dollars ?
The auto executives of the us and the union leaders should be shot
wwww.aceemploymnetservices.net
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Lantern42 5:11PM (5/16/2007)
This isn't a hybrid concept. It wa shown as a possible sucessor to the CRX.
The next generation Inight (if they make it) will have design cues similar to the original.
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Joseph M. 8:20PM (5/25/2007)
Honda doesn't even make a full hybrid yet. like the toyota Prius. The Prius can drive in all electric in city driving. the honda, otherwise known as a hollow hybrid or stop start hybrid, can't even drive with electric only/silent operation. what a joke the honda Hybrid technology is. IMA they call it. intgrated Motor Assist, bullshit. this is fraud. Honda shouldn't even be allowed to call there cars hybrids. test drive one, as soon as you let of the brake pedal, from a complete stop, the gasoline engine starts right up. it's the same things as turning your car off everytime stop the car, then start it back up when you push the gas pedal. First, build a real Hybrid, then talk about design. I can't believe most people fall for this shit/crap. it's called greenwashing and it's the reason the Honda gets minimal gas savings compared to the Full Hybrid Synergy Drive System toyota invented. it's the Reason the Toyota Prius Hybrids can be easily converted to be electric cars, see pluginamerica and calcars. it's because the electric motors, yet Toyota hybrids have two large electric motors, have enough power to move the car without gasoline whatsoever. Also see GM and all the other liers out there greenwashing. it's the reason Toyota is dominating the Hybrid industry, because most people don't fall for just the name. they can see past the Body and see what's under the hood. Bravo Toyota, good luck honda!
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