Honda hybrid

Honda ramps up vehicle lines for higher volumes of sales in North America

Published February 13, 2014 | By Paul

The Fit may be Honda’s smallest (and, starting at under $15k, most cost-effective) model, but it has never sold in quantities that even approach those of the brand’s larger offerings – at least not in the Canada or the United States. Where Honda typically sells hundreds of thousands of Civic and Accord models in North America – even CR-V crossovers and Odyssey minivans – annual sales for the Fit typically amount to tens of thousands. But the Japanese automaker hopes to expand its sales in the segment with the introduction of the new 2015 Honda Fit.

Having launched the all-new model several months ago in the Japanese Domestic Market, Honda is presenting the new Fit to the North American market here at the Detroit Auto Show. By and large, it’s the same model that will be sold around the world, having been redesigned with more aggressive styling, a larger footprint on the road and more interior space.

Read the full story here.

Honda Hold Down the Price on the 2014 Insight

Published December 23, 2013 | By Paul

Great to see this hybrid keep a competitive price level! The 2014 Honda Insight is a maligned, dreary little hatchback (yes, we speak from experience). But it does have three saving graces: It’s Honda-reliable, it gets great fuel economy, and it has a new-car warranty. If you really feel the need to count a fourth virtue, it’s the cheapest hybrid on sale today. That’s the equivalent of saying you got you prom tux at Wal-Mart.

Starting at a healthy $18,725, not including $790 for destination and handling, the Honda Insight putters along with automatic climate control, a 160-watt stereo, and power windows as standard equipment. The next-up Honda Insight LX carries those features, but adds steering wheel-mounted audio controls, a USB port, floor mats, an armrest console (yes, seriously, this is still an option in some cars in 2013), and floor mats.

Next up the food chain is the Honda Insight EX, which adds automatic headlights, alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, Bluetooth, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio system. From there, a navigation system is still yet available, and it also comes with a backup camera and FM traffic monitor.

All 2014 Honda Insights wheeze along with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine and Integrated Motor Assist hybrid powertrain that’s good for some 98 horsepower. The car is rated at 41 mpg city/44 mpg highway, which almost makes suffering through the ownership of a Honda Insight seem worth it. Almost.

Source: Honda and http://blogs.automotive.com

Posted in Blog, Industry News | Tagged Honda hybrid