By 2012, Honda hopes to be where Toyota is today in terms of hybrid sales. Last year, Honda sold just 55,000 hybrids. But in the next four years, the company wants to increase that number to over 400,000 per year.
Toyota sold 430,000 hybrids last year, meaning Honda wants to sell as many hybrids in 2012 as Toyota does currently. Of course, in four years Toyota’s hybrid sales will probably increase astronomically as well.
The main factor limiting Honda’s hybrid sales is a simple lack of products, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui told Automotive News. Honda plans to launch three new hybrid models in the next few years, including a sports model and a family car, Fukui said.
Honda is widely expected to sell a sports coupe based on the CR-Z concept by 2010. Honda is also expected to unveil a hybrid-specific model — similar to the Toyota Prius — at the Paris Motor Show in September.
