Honda is hoping it can catch up to rival Toyota in hybrid sales by offering an extremely low-cost model in 2009. “The success of a small hybrid is based on offering it at an affordable price,” said U.S. Senior Vice President John Mendel in a recent speech on environmental issues. “Our R&D operations have taken on this challenge… and the new small hybrid vehicle will be launched in 2009… with a projected North American sales volume of 100-thousand units.” Recent reports have suggested the vehicle will get unique styling to differentiate it from any other Honda.
Mendel also reiterated the automaker’s plans to introduce a new 4-cylinder diesel engine for larger vehicles around the same time. He said Honda has “determined that hybrid technology is most effective in smaller displacement vehicles,” and diesels are more effective in larger cars and trucks.
As previously reported, the 2.2-liter diesel engine will be be offered for the Civic, Accord and CR-V.
He also said a V6 diesel engine is in the works, but there is currently no timetable for introducing such an engine.
08/11, 1:01 PM
posted by:
Jay
It’s a good thing that they’re going to be offering some diesle engines in the Civic, Accord and CRV diesles are a good thing.
The thing with the hybrid saving you money is the extra costs for the electric motor etc. are going to take years of driving to give back the savings. If they can offer a 16,000$ hybrid that get’s 60 mpg and is roomy yet futuristic (somewhat like what Toyota did with the Prius, only make it even cheaper to buy (but good quality of course) and better).
Even better yet, make a diesle hybrid! 80-100 mpg LOL!
08/11, 1:49 PM
posted by:
anonymous
100k units? That is pretty bold, especially for Honda. They better be prepared to make/ship that many so there is not a shortage like w/ the Civic & Fit.
08/11, 1:59 PM
posted by:
GET SAVED
nice!
08/11, 1:59 PM
posted by:
Anonymous
the reason why hybrids don’t sell good here in europe is because diesels are still cheaper to drive, but that is because the hybrid technology is still not good enough, but i think it will beat the diesels in 2009, but the next problem for the japanese will be the following: the PSA-group (citroën-peugeot) is developing a hybrid dieselcar, and it is released in 2010, I think that is the short term futur, especially in Europe….
08/11, 2:06 PM
posted by:
1952 MG TD
the Dual mode from BMW, GM, and DCX (at least from what I know of the DCX applications) can be easily mated to deisels… look for the dual mode to start serving duty in the grand chero, dakota, ram 1500, Caliber, Patriot, Compass, and others before the end of the decade.
08/11, 2:13 PM
posted by:
ehhh
I hope they learned from their mistakes with the Insight. It is good that it will be a stand-alone model. Most hybrid drivers want to be recognized as people who drive hybrids (my opinion/observations of course) which is why the Prius sells so well vs. Civic Hybrid. This should work out very well for Honda, and hopefully they make the desiels available in all 50 states.
08/11, 2:41 PM
posted by:
anonymous
I think Civic hybrids sales are also limited by production. In my area (I suspect others as well) there is a long waiting list for one & people are paying over msrp.
08/11, 5:13 PM
posted by:
Craig
Here’s a hint for Honda Motor Co. to garner more sales from ANY product line:
BUILD A FEW REAR-DRIVE CARS
Thank you
08/11, 6:55 PM
posted by:
Oh What A Feeling, Toyota !
You go Craig ! Dear Honda, how about building something the consumer really wants ?, not those lead sled rice burner’s you been dumping on the market for 20 years…..
08/12, 3:06 PM
posted by:
David Snitchnhinger
Still waiting for a Diesel Hybrid