Comments on: Honda targets hybrid sales of 400,000 per year

By: jackjimturkey

jackjimturkey — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:51:19 +0000

r-head: further proof that honda makes the world’s best cars.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:10:39 +0000

@Johnnycanuck, Shismo,
I understand these questions about not ‘looking’ like a hybrid, but look at Ford’s success with the Explorer Hybrid. Nissan is also moving the Altima Hybrid very well, unfortunately it’s still limited to a handful of markets. Beyond its love-it-or-hate-it exterior, the Prius is a very flexible family car. Up here in DC, you’re not impressing anyone by driving it.

As far a Acura goes, I think it’s days are numbered. They build very competently engineered cars but have very little emotional satisfaction. The original Acuras didn’t promise luxury, but performance over their Honda siblings. The further Acura has gotten from this, the worst their sales have gotten. Acura’s biggest competitor is not Lexus or Infiniti, but Honda’s new Accord.

By: Shismo

Shismo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:42:47 +0000

Heart64 – Yes, because the CTS-V represents the entire lineup. When looking at fuel efficient vehicles I always look at the performance vehicles….come on.
According to your wisdom we can say Honda sucks because the Ridgeline is a V6 with 17MPG. Idiots like you are the reason why I’m always so embarrassed that I own a Honda.

What happened to the Malibu hybrid? Its also not the only GM hybrid, and GM also has flexfuel vehicles available (yes I know about the debate over ethanol, simply pointing it out as an option). They’ve also been developing hydrogen vehicles, the Volt, etc.

And I don’t understand why people want automakers to fail. If you live in North America the big 3 employ many people and are a large part of the economy and even if you aren’t part of North America or don’t care about the jobs, then there’s the fact that competition breeds creativity.

By: Heart64

Heart64 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:55:52 +0000

to GM rockabye baby on the tree top when the wind blows the cradle will rock when the bow breaks the cradle will fall and down will come GM cry babies cradle and all!!!

By: Heart64

Heart64 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:53:16 +0000

Honda will get it right second time rest assured. Their second time offerings will get much more notice while dummies over at GM continue to sleep and come 0ut with Gas guzzling CTS-V and G8’s in particular think that Hybrids are a farse. Well their going to be in for a big surprise because eventually the company that has the most experience in the newer technologies and plug-ins will eventually win more market share.

By: SwerveEarly

SwerveEarly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:37:56 +0000

Hybrid lawnmowers can’t be far behind.

By: Shismo

Shismo — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 18:08:35 +0000

Unfortunately, that’s a good point johnny. It looked too much like an Accord – it needed a light colour earthtone paint, ugly rims (ala Civic), a pignose front bumper (also like the civic), etc. If enough people cared solely about the environment and not about looks, they’d buy a Golf TDI and put the savings into buying home energy from renewable sources, outfitting the house with energy efficient appliances, etc.

And I have to be a bit skeptical of Honda’s plans. I mean, they’re definitely putting a lot of effort into the hybrids (at the cost of powerful engines) but this is the same company that said Acura would be a rival to Bentley/Rolls Royce, and they can’t even sell 200K Acuras. Doublind Acura solely with hybrids sales seems too optimistic.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:32:44 +0000

You forgot one thing, global- it didn’t look like a hybrid either. How was everyone supposed to know how green you were if the only clue was a few tiny ‘hybrid’ logos affixed on a couple of spots on the body.

By: global_lightning

global_lightning — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:25:49 +0000

The Accord Hybrid had some key problems:

1. Since it was a hybrid adapted to a regular chassis, it had some compromises. For example, the rear seats could not fold down and the trunk was smaller.
2. It was tuned as a ‘performance hybrid’ so it had good but not great mileage and the performance boost was nice but not a dealmaker for your typical hybrid buyer
3. Most important: For the price, you could have bought a maxed out Prius with better mileage, a more flexible interior, and decent performance.

Anyone one of these could have hurt the Accord Hybrid, but combined they killed its sales. The new Honda Hybrids should address these problems.

By: RicardoHead

RicardoHead — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:57:47 +0000

Hey LLN, when are you going to report about Honda recalling 273,000 Acura TLs? Are you paid tools?

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:35:23 +0000

Honda had a family car hybrid- the Accord. They axed it. That move surely inspired confidence in those who purchased one.

By: Fletch

Fletch — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:27:32 +0000

Who cares about hybrid, I want to test drive their diesel.

By: A4

A4 — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:15:30 +0000

they better roll out their diesel lineup soon