Honda Moving forward with hybrids?
There is no doubt that Toyota has received immense PR because of hybrid cars. The Prius has changed the way America thinks about automobiles, but it is only the beginning, at least for Toyota.
With Ford Escape hybrid production limited by a shortage of batteries, only Honda remains to fuel hybrid competition. Yet, Honda only expects to sell 25,000 each of the Accord and Civic hybrids next year.
I've argued Toyota's hybrids are more integral to Toyota's fuel cell vision, than are Honda hybrids. Therefore, Toyota is willing to sell as many hybrids as they can. Honda isn't, not today at least.
Recently, Dan Bonawitz, American Honda vice president of corporate planning and logistics stated, "We want to get a better sense for the depth of the (hybrid) market and the preference of the marketplace, then move forward in any number of directions."
Bonawitz also doubted the legitimacy of hybrid SUVs in the U.S. market, which I find a bit out-of-touch. I believe demand for the Toyota Highlander hybrid is going to dwarf that of the Prius.
I'd say the best case scenario for fuel cell cars, priced for the average consumer, is 10 years away, and that is the best, best, best, etc. case scenario. In reality 15 to 20 years is probably the most realistic estimate.
Nonetheless, the Honda Accord hybrid is an awesome vehicle, and I still expect big things from Honda.
With Ford Escape hybrid production limited by a shortage of batteries, only Honda remains to fuel hybrid competition. Yet, Honda only expects to sell 25,000 each of the Accord and Civic hybrids next year.
I've argued Toyota's hybrids are more integral to Toyota's fuel cell vision, than are Honda hybrids. Therefore, Toyota is willing to sell as many hybrids as they can. Honda isn't, not today at least.
Recently, Dan Bonawitz, American Honda vice president of corporate planning and logistics stated, "We want to get a better sense for the depth of the (hybrid) market and the preference of the marketplace, then move forward in any number of directions."
Bonawitz also doubted the legitimacy of hybrid SUVs in the U.S. market, which I find a bit out-of-touch. I believe demand for the Toyota Highlander hybrid is going to dwarf that of the Prius.
I'd say the best case scenario for fuel cell cars, priced for the average consumer, is 10 years away, and that is the best, best, best, etc. case scenario. In reality 15 to 20 years is probably the most realistic estimate.
Nonetheless, the Honda Accord hybrid is an awesome vehicle, and I still expect big things from Honda.
Labels: Accord hybrid, Civic hybrid, Escape hybrid, Ford, Ford Escape hybrid, Highlander hybrid, Honda, Hybrid Vehicles, prius, toyota
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:20 AM
1 Comments:
More people should learn about electric cars as a solution. It’s amazing how far the technology has come in just a few years. Plus the savings becomes more and more attractive the higher gas prices go. There’s even an EV that will do 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds (source: zapworld.com). Electric is looking more and more like the way to go.
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