Filed under: Economy, Japan, Honda
Honda gets 20,000 orders for redesigned Fit in Japan
Honda has received a flood of orders for the newly redesigned Fit in the two weeks since its launch. That's a good thing for Honda in its home market, where its sales have been flagging. Instead of the projected 12,000 Fits per month, there have been 20,000 orders for the roomier and more efficient Fit since its announcement. The deluge of demand for the new Fit could help Honda take over the top spot as Japan's best-selling car, toppling the Toyota Corolla. It's important to note, however, that in Japan, new model announcements are routinely followed by initial order numbers that exceed expectations (which are then trumpeted by the automakers). In the United States, the clamor around the Fit remains hot, as well, so when the new one makes it here – reportedly within a year – it should equal further positive numbers for Honda.
[Source: Guardian Unlimited]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Pokey 2:17PM (11/11/2007)
Good for them.
I still think they ruined the Fit. I really kind of liked the look of the outgoing model.
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Stéphane Dumas 3:57PM (11/11/2007)
I agree pokey, thank goodness for Honda then the Mazda 2 isn't available in Canada and the US yet. But in Europe the Jazz/Fit will face the upcoming Fiat 500 who'll attract some potential customers.
Lucas 5:07AM (11/12/2007)
New fit is lame... Fiat 500 will cost way more though, no?
Alex 5:57AM (11/13/2007)
How can you even compare the Fit with a Fiat 500? They are for different markets because they are different size!
Fit could compare to the Fiat Punto or Fiat Stilo but not to the smallest car in the Fiat range.
In the article it is even compared to the slightly larger Toyota Corolla.
From the looks of the Fit it only would need a Type-R machine to make it the perfect family racing car.
JG 2:28PM (11/11/2007)
Its a car that serves its purpose really... good price, economical, spacey for its size.
http://www.superhonda.com
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-blank- 2:57PM (11/11/2007)
Agreed. There a large amount of things you can do to something of such size design wise. So, if it's fitting the purpose, price, and expectations (spirited driving, reliable, quality inside) it will definately be a leader to whom it's marketed.
Now, if the Mazda2 made it over I believe I'd end up torn.
(yaris, aveo, etc...just don't fit what motivates me)
naggs 3:15PM (11/11/2007)
fit is the best car in its class in the US by far
with no b segment mazda or ford in sight it looks to stay that way well into the next gen
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Reed 3:58PM (11/11/2007)
I Like the new Fit - but it is interesting that when the B-car segment is mentioned you only hear about the Fit and the Yaris, yet the Versa outsells all of the other B class cars. Seems it is largely ignored bt the press, but sells on its own merits.
Butt ugly, but it's a good car.
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JZ 4:38PM (11/11/2007)
I find it interesting that your observation is incorrect as the Yaris outsells both the Versa and Fit.
Toyota October sales
http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?id=TYT2007110185160
Nissan
http://www.nissannews.com/index.html
Honda
http://automobiles.honda.com/news/press-releases-article.aspx?Category=General&Article=4268
Aetius 4:28PM (11/11/2007)
I prefer the Versa over the Fit. Now, if only we could get the Mazda2.
Then again, I'd just buy a used Mazda3 (if I didn't have one already, that is).
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andrewmoulton 4:35PM (11/11/2007)
i think that the new fit looks alot like the yaris in front
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catchmeinhawaii 5:50PM (11/11/2007)
This Honda Fit is cute and will sell like hotcakes, but what we really need are the SUZUKI SWIFT and the SUZUKI SPLASH! These are pint sized cuties that the US may never see, though the rest of the world will... including our neighbor, Mexico! SUZUKI makes some really great cars that are always under-appreciated and over looked and the US only gets the worst of what they produce!
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far jr 6:25PM (11/11/2007)
The new Fit needs to arrive quickly to help Honda pull ahead of the B-segment competition. The Fit lags behind the competitors by quite a bit in year to date sales.
YARIS = 73,874
VERSA = 67,668
AVEO = 55,520
FIT = 41,085
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psarhjinian 8:33PM (11/11/2007)
To be fair:
The Yaris and Versa both have additional body styles
The Aveo is dirt cheap to buy
The Aveo has the advantage of GM's huge dealer network.
The Versa is not a B-class car by any category except price.
Given all that, the Fit does quite well. I'm a little surprised it hasn't done better than the lame-duck Yaris, but I think that between supply constraints and Honda's unwillingness to whore itself out with low lease and finance deals it's not entirely unsurprising.
Caveat: I just bought one. It's an amazing car.
sharkytm 10:43AM (11/12/2007)
Remember, Honda also didn't make many Fits, and they've been releasing them slowly for some reason. I bought one the day it came out, and couldn't be happier. Its returned 35-36mpg, and I'm not too friendly to my cars. The L15A sees 5500rpm pretty much daily. I'm not a fan of the new one, it lost the "insect" look, and has an even higher beltline. I'm glad its selling well, though
J 12:49PM (11/12/2007)
the b-segment is not a money maker, the goal is to attract loyal customers. unfortunately for GM every Aveo sold probably represents a customer who will never buy a GM again.
Tamalama 5:44PM (11/13/2007)
One of he things that we also have to remember is that Honda isnt about mass production of their vehicles. The Fit has been a very limited production vehicle, that our dealership has been unable to to keep in stock. Our allocation is around 12 fits per year. Granted we are a small dealer, however The larger dealers average 80 to 100 fits per year dependent on how many they are able to sell at any given allocation point. It isnt about quantity...quality is the key factor. Honda dosent have to sell the most amount of cars, they are the largest producer of engines in the world. The fit is a great car and I am glad that they have slightly added to the size and that the fuel economy has improved with rising gas prices. They are also slightly more expensive than the other cars in their segment, but the old saying goes"You Get What You Pay For!"
why not the LS2LS7? 6:48PM (11/11/2007)
What's Canada going to do? With it being 2 inches longer now, will it be able to make the necessary mpg to get the rebate in Canada?
Will it perhaps make as good of mileage as the Civic this time?
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mike 7:03PM (11/11/2007)
When do we get a Plugin-Hybrid version?
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whofan 8:15PM (11/11/2007)
Ford needs to get off its a** and bring over the Fiesta. We need to start supporting our own industry for a change. Our standard of living is going down the toilet.
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