The fuel-efficient Fit proved to be the right car at the right time for Honda, so much so that the Japanese automaker is practically sold out of the 2008 model. Because of this fact, Honda has decided to bump up the launch of the 2009 Fit by more than a month.
Originally slated for an October 1st launch, the ’09 Fit will now hit Honda dealers on August 26th.
“We basically increased supply as much as we could to meet demand, and we were still going to be sold out of the 2008 model,” Honda spokesman Chris Martin told Automotive News. “We had to do something so that our dealers would not be without the small cars that buyers are seeking.”
$4 gas spiked Fit demand, with sales up 72.9 percent this year to 52,053 units. Honda sold 12,226 Fits in July alone, which nearly equaled Acura’s total sales for the month (12,828 units).
Honda announced pricing for the 2009 Fit earlier on Wednesday.
08/20, 5:29 PM
posted by:
ktulu
Honda is ruling a party the big 3 should’ve been at a few tears ago.
08/20, 5:43 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
ktulu: was ‘tears’ intentional. Sounds like a high school romance gone wrong.
08/20, 6:24 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Surprised it doesn’t match or exceed Yaris’ 29/35 EPA.
The roomy interior and upscale materials will keep it in short supply.
Drives pretty good too!
Still is kinda dorky, doh.
DrFill
08/20, 6:37 PM
posted by:
400horseSS
Yay, people who dont care about what they drive, Rejoice !
08/20, 6:45 PM
posted by:
crossbonz
Yup, it sure is ugly! I’ll stick with my 30 MPG Acura RSX…..still gets good gas mileage and I don’t look like a dork driving it! Why is it so hard to make a small, fuel efficient car look good?
08/20, 7:44 PM
posted by:
brassmonkey
Great. More ricers.
08/20, 7:49 PM
posted by:
441Zuke
why the hell does a fit cost 16 grand i got my 2005 civic for about 14 and i’d commit vehicular suicide if i had to drive that clown car
08/20, 8:46 PM
posted by:
steve333
Once again Honda puts a hideous interior in their cars. First the Cyclops in the Civic and now this unergonomic mess in the Fit.
Of course, Honda doesnt get hit for it but if it were a Chevy the press would be all over it.
That dash is a deal killer for me.
08/20, 9:53 PM
posted by:
olds307
HOOOOOORAYYYYYYYY I CANT HARDLY WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!1
08/21, 1:06 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
Go for it Honda… rake in that cash with small fuel efficient vehicles and show the Not-so-big 3 how it’s really done.
08/21, 1:26 PM
posted by:
hbcbob3
Yeah, rake in that pile of cash foriegn automakers. The pile of cash containing not one penny of mine. And I guarantee you it will stay that way.
08/21, 1:28 PM
posted by:
hbcbob3
It is 4 years later there Zuke…
08/21, 3:04 PM
posted by:
t-ak-box
@hbcbob3
Its like you kick’em in the nads. You’re one Bad Mutha-Trucker!
@steve333
Really! A 2005 civic to a 2009 fit you think that’s a fair comparison. That’s one big crap-tastic statement!
Good for Honda, Now bring out the City sedan.
08/21, 3:47 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Now bring out the Civic hatch.
08/21, 11:11 PM
posted by:
deutschetouring1337
Funny, the Fit is actually setup like a GT car with most of the weight on the bottom of the chassis improving CoG, and not to mention a K20A powered Fit with coilovers kicked DC2, and DC5’s ass on a track awhile back in a nationwide call Track comp done by ImportTuner, Eurotuner, Hondatuning. The engine is slow but I test drove a Demo when they first were coming out and were offering only Test drives and taking orders. I was really suprised at the handling, you wouldn’t expect a 1.5 litre subcompact to actually handle well. For a commuter I’ve thought about dropping a K20A2 (RSX-S) into it and still retaining 32-36mpg with 200hp. A 2551 lbs Fit with 220hp, power to weight is Subaru STI and Evo 8 0-60 territory. If only Honda would offer even a K20 variant.
08/22, 12:53 AM
posted by:
coolguy8157
These torqueless boats make all the highways sick…who the hell in this world is buying all this crap…???
08/22, 11:46 PM
posted by:
Veda
Actually I just bought the new Fit and while everything else is better, the handling is significantly worse than the previous model. The major difference is the reclining back seats and the increased interior space. I also hate the new steering wheel as they made it too oval and I can’t get a real grip on it. So it’s a mixed feeling, but one thing for certain is they sacrificed sportiness for making it the ultimate commuter.