Strong early sales in Japan prompt Honda to increase Insight production

Since Honda started taking orders for the new Insight in Japan earlier this month, dealers have tripled the original sales target. As a result, the company has decided to crank up production starting in April to meet the demand for the new hybrid. Honda had been projecting world-wide Insight sales of 200,000 a year with 100,000 going to the U.S. and Canada. It remains to be seen how strong U.S. demand will be, especially with a new Prius arriving shortly after the Insight. The Insight's price should undercut the Prius by several thousand dollars, although it's also a considerably smaller car than the Toyota. In addition to price, the Insight's Fit-based chassis should also have an advantage in driving dynamics, which may appeal to some drivers more. The Insight goes on sale in the United States on April 22.

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[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]
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