2011 Honda CR-Z – Click above for high-res image gallery
After only one month on the market, sales for the Honda CR-Z hybrid have exceeded expectations in Japan tenfold. The company set a target of 1,000 units in the first month only to see the sporty hybrid annihilate the numbers first by tallying 7,000, then 8,000 and now 10,000 sales.
The sales success has continued on despite numerous claims that the vehicle lacks the sportiness that Honda claims and lacks the power and acceleration expected of a so-called "sporty" hybrid. All of this could be overlooked if the CR-Z returned stellar fuel economy, which at 36 miles per gallon city and 38 mpg highway is far from stellar in the small hybrid category.
Despite the criticism, sales continue to build ahead of the U.S. launch expected this fall. Worldwide sales are targeted at 50,000 units, but if the Insight's sales failure outside of Japan is any indication of what to expect once the CR-Z goes international, Honda may fall short of the goal. Time will tell.
The sales success has continued on despite numerous claims that the vehicle lacks the sportiness that Honda claims and lacks the power and acceleration expected of a so-called "sporty" hybrid. All of this could be overlooked if the CR-Z returned stellar fuel economy, which at 36 miles per gallon city and 38 mpg highway is far from stellar in the small hybrid category.
Despite the criticism, sales continue to build ahead of the U.S. launch expected this fall. Worldwide sales are targeted at 50,000 units, but if the Insight's sales failure outside of Japan is any indication of what to expect once the CR-Z goes international, Honda may fall short of the goal. Time will tell.
[Source: Green Car Advisor]
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