Honda going lighter, adding more hybrids
To get lighter and smallerStop everything. That's the word around Honda these days.
Regardless of how far Honda's cars are in the development process, Honda is reviewing every vehicle with a new focus on making all of their vehicles cheaper and more fuel efficient. That means a focus on smaller and lighter vehicles, and adding hybrid technology to more of Honda's vehicles according to reports.
Labels: Honda, Hybrid Vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
8:13 AM
7 Comments:
The question is: Will consumers spend the extra money to get the hybrid version?
A lot of folks have come up to me asking about my Honda Civic Hybrid, but very few of them were willing to spend the the extra money for the hybrid version, especially when the regular Civic gets 36 mpg highway. They think they're only getting a few more mpg's with the hybrid option....
I tried convincing them the city mpg (25 for the regular Civic) is the real measuring stick, but I never seem to get anywhere with that point.
Weight sees to be the overlooked part of the efficient
car puzzle. It doesn't matter what we run our cars on
or what kind of drivetrain they have. If we move a 3 or 400 lbs. of animal and stuff with a machine that's 10 times that weight it never going to be efficient.
and study after study demonstrates the same reality. consumers are very interested in hybrids and plug-ins, but they aren't willing to pay too much extra for such vehicles.
greg-
along those lines there continues to be some interesting work on carbon fiber and other composites. still, none of the major automakers seem anywhere close to mainstreaming this technology.
but it seems something like that could be a game changer.
Indigo Incarnates
I'd buy an Insight in a heartbeat. I am hoping that a hybrid Fit comes to the USA. The other thing about Honda is that there is no $5,000 markup from the dealers like there is with buying a Prius.
fit hybrid is a done deal!
Indigo Incarnates
Well... My Scion xD is paid off in Jan-2013, so that is when I will get a new car. I would love for it to be a Fit hybrid, although an Insight-II would be fine too. Basically, I will be able to replace our older car (a venerable but reliable 2001 Accord w/ i4 engine).
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