Honda's Hybrid Plans Backfire

Honda released the second generation Insight hybrid with expectations that its under 20,000 dollar starting price would result in good sales. However, things haven't gone according to Honda's plan with the Insight having only moderate sales success. Even worse, the Insight sales have come at an expense of plummeting Civic Hybrid sales, as low as 152 sales in the past few month. In fact the Civic Hybrid has the second highest sales decline for the year behind the S200. The Insight itself has also lost some of its sales momentum from its introduction. Overall the situation doesn't look promising for a brand that has deserted performance aspirations for hybrid sales.
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chewy - 12/8/2009 3:42:52 AM

+5 Boost

I think it's "hybrid" styling was done on purpose to look similar to another recognized hybrid. Sure they can say that the styling is for aerodynamic properties, but how do they explain the Insight getting worse highway fuel economy than Civic hybrid?

truckman - 12/8/2009 1:44:25 PM

-3 Boost

The only reason I drive a small car, (civic) is because it uses less gas,I commute 150km a day. If this insight isn't that great on gas and it is small I wouldn't want to buy it. The first company to come out with a hybrid that isn't small and have enough room for a family will be my next car, hopefully it will be the ford Raptor.

thetruth01 - 12/8/2009 2:04:04 PM

+5 Boost

that car is called a Prius.

truckman - 12/9/2009 12:50:45 PM

0 Boost

Prius is your car of your dreams, lol First off it isn't as efficient as a hybrid can be and it is basically the same size as the civic, it's small! And it doesn't perform! The safety is something to be desired. Why would I want a little under performer that isn't that efficient?

lexworld - 12/8/2009 7:07:26 PM

0 Boost

Yeah a Prius wanabe....

delan - 12/8/2009 10:51:30 PM

+1 Boost

I chuckled when Car and Driver rated the Insight over the Prius.

truckman - 12/11/2009 5:40:50 AM

+1 Boost

Thank you Huu76, my Civic is supposed to be a mid size too,lol don't believe it, they are still small, but you are right