Honda likely to miss U.S. sales targets for Insight?
2010 Honda Insight - Click above for high-res image gallery
We had to wait years for someone to give us a hybrid-only alternative to the Toyota Prius, and Honda finally gave us some choice with born-again Honda Insight. Initial interest in the under $20,000 40+ mpg vehicle has been high, but it's not necessarily translating into as many sales as the automaker would like. Honda was initially hoping for 90,000 sales in North America in its first year, but it looks like the Japanese automaker may not hit its sales goal. American Honda Vice President John Mendel has reportedly told Bloomberg that the Insight isn't going to hit 90,000 units, but that the company "will be just fine" with 50,000 to 60,000 sales. Honda expects global sales of the Insight to hit 200,000 units, and it was hoping for about half of that volume to come from North America.
The revised sales forecast comes as Honda is keeping more Insight units in Japan due to brisk demand and unfavorable exchange rates in the States. Lower gas prices are also likely to be hurting sales of Honda's new hybrid, though the price of petrol has been steadily heading north over the past few weeks. The economic recession is also likely hurting Insight sales, as U.S. sales for almost everything with four wheels has been very poor so far in 2009.
Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
jte 5:41PM (6/15/2009)
Maybe because the Insight just can't compete with the new Prius?
For only a grand or two more the Prius may be a better car.
Insight = Under 20k starting price, 40+ mpg, cramped interior.
Prius = Just over 20k staring price, 50+ mpg, roomy interior.
Win = Prius
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Mike P. 7:11PM (6/15/2009)
From sitting in the Insight, what struck me first was just that--the interior feels cramped. The Fit feels far more spacious.
Cary 8:32PM (6/15/2009)
ROFLMAO!
"..Biblically terrible.."
kit 8:01PM (6/15/2009)
cary... you took the words right out of my mouth.
clarkson's got a good head on his shoulders.
some1 10:22PM (6/15/2009)
yes congress,
everyone wants a hybrid, if GM would just make them, they would sell like hot cakes...
wonder how many F-150s have sold in comparison...
Noidor 10:53PM (6/15/2009)
Every single review has been saying that Prius is a much better executed product than the Insight, and I think Honda came to this conclusion as well. Yes Prius is a bit more expensive, but Insight isn't going to be a smash hit.
Quattroporte 5:46PM (6/15/2009)
I haven't seen a single one on the road yet. I bet Honda is glad many Americans probably won't see Clarkson's review of it.
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zamafir 5:55PM (6/15/2009)
It doesn't matter if they do, he's spot on. I've seen a dozen or so on the road and went to test drive it, the transition from electric to gas and back again is jarring and not at all as smooth as the prius. The two people I tested it with, both intent to purchase it due to price and outward appearance, are now on prius waiting lists.
ChopperDave 6:09PM (6/15/2009)
They're all over the place in Cambridge, MA, but that's to be expected.
letstakeawalk 6:59PM (6/15/2009)
I saw several new Insights last week during the six-hour drive to and from Norfolk on I-95... Nice looking car. I'd buy a Honda before a Toyota any day, but that's just me.
Tricky dicky 5:53PM (6/15/2009)
prius will too in north america.. don't let that get in the way of posting about month long waits in japan thanks to government handouts..
mind you those government handouts will probably help imported japanese vehicles ehre too.
way to go obama!
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Scorch 5:55PM (6/15/2009)
How can this be? I keep hearing that these are the cars people want to buy and that Detroit went bankrupt for not making them.
Just because politicians want us to buy these appliances doesn't mean we will.
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KT 6:52PM (6/15/2009)
It's unbelieveable that Honda can't sell these at under $20k.
I see where McCain bought (or in process of) a Fusion Hybrid. Why wouldn't you pay a little more and get a real car like the Fusion hybrid instead of one of these ugly little cars? I wouldn't rent one of them or the Prius. They are too goofy looking to be seen in.
James 7:25PM (6/15/2009)
Aki, the Insight probably sells well in Japan because it's the only legitimate hybrid available there right now that's a good size for Japanese roads. The Prius is considered quite large by both Japanese and European standards -- only in the U.S. is it considered midsized.
BigWill 9:33PM (6/15/2009)
"It's unbelieveable that Honda can't sell these at under $20k."
Because they're not under $20K once you add $1,000 in paint protection, $1,000 pinstripes, $1,000 in window etching, and for good measure another $2K in "market adjustment". That'd make the Fusion Hybrid really attractive except ... oops $3,000 "market adjustment" on that one too. The best deal on a hybrid at the moment is probably the 2009 Camry Hybrid which I've seen for less than $25K because they're clearing them out.
Aki 5:56PM (6/15/2009)
I've seen a couple on the road.
I'm puzzled why it does so well in Japan though. I think stateside it doesn't do as well because it's not a full-fledged hybrid like the Prius. Less bragging rights toward snobbish elitism than the Prius.
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Tricky dicky 6:02PM (6/15/2009)
the prius doesn't do as well here as it does there either.
Aki 6:06PM (6/15/2009)
There's a waiting list for the 3rd-gen Prius here.
Tricky dicky 6:26PM (6/15/2009)
yeah we'll see how sales are in the next few months compared to last month won't we.
there are waiting lists on challengers and camaros around here :tardhat:
Aznauto 6:06PM (6/15/2009)
Don't see what is so bad about that? Chrysler would kill to have car that can sell those number its much hyped up Dodge Challenger barely even sold 2700 in spite of heavy mark ups by the dealers.
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