Time for Honda to embrace full hybrids?
The Honda CR-Z hybridAbout a decade ago, when both Toyota and Honda were producing their first hybrid cars, each had very different visions for the future of hybrids.
For Honda, hybrids like the original Insight were simply an interim technology until fuel cell vehicles could replace them. Thus, until recently, Honda had no serious hybrid production plans.
For Toyota, on the other hand, hybrids were intricately linked to advanced technologies and to Toyota's future. Finish Reading: Time for Honda to embrace full hybrid vehicles?
Labels: Honda, honda insight hybrid, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota, toyota prius
posted by Dahcredyns at
11:38 AM
6 Comments:
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About a decade ago, when both Toyota and Honda were producing their first hybrid cars, each had very different visions for the future of hybrids.
For Honda, hybrids like the original Insight were simply an interim technology until fuel cell vehicles could replace them. Thus, until recently, Honda had no serious hybrid production plans.
For Toyota, on the other hand, hybrids were intricately linked to advanced technologies and to Toyota's future. Much of the Toyota Prius powertrain, engineers planned, would also find its way into Toyota's fuel cell hybrid vehicles. In fact hybrids like the Prius were significantly designed to help pave the patent foundation to fuel cell hybrids, in addition to next generation batteries needed for conventional hybrids, fuel cell hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles.
In recent years, however, Honda has changed its hybrid tune, embracing hybrids as a significant core requirement for any future automaker, and production plans have been significantly increased. Recently Honda hoped to sell at least 100,000 Insight hybrids per year - a yearly hybrid production number that no automaker outside of Toyota has even come close to achieving.
Unfortunately, the Insight hybrid fell short - for many reasons - however, one of the main reasons boils down to fuel economy. Compared to the Prius - the king of hybrids - the Insight simply falls shorts. Consequently, it seems time to ask, can Honda's 'mild' hybrid powertrain power Honda's new hybrid future?
Certainly, Honda's current hybrid powertrain can play an important role in developing more fuel efficient vehicles for many commuters, especially as battery costs decline. Still, isn't it time that Honda also embrace full hybrid technology?
Again, with battery cost reductions all Honda hybrids, even the mild ones, will offer more compelling buying cases compared to conventional comparisons; but to sell millions of hybrids, isn't a full hybrid powertrain required?
I agree 100% with your assesment of what Honda needs to do NOW!!!!! Even though I'm a die-hard Honda driver, I'm tired of hearing their adds raving about the fact that the Accord is rated at 31 mpg highway. Big Deal??? NOT!!!!! I also thing that the Insight and the soon to be released CR-Z fall short of my expectations for Honda.
I agree.
Honda's hybrid pricing is not good enough considering Honda's are "mild" hybrids.
Only reason I got one was because I got a smoking deal when gas prices were below $2.00...
The Insight is especially too high priced to draw attention considering it's stripped of all features including basic stuff like cruise control...
Company take very nice step to come produce lots of hybrid cars It is really a very nice work by Honda company I am very excited about this thing.
Indigo Incarnates
Of course, the only REAL problem with the Insight-II is that it is priced about $1,500 too high. It's close enough to the Prius-II that buyers might day "Let's spend an extra thousand and get better gas mileage". A $17,500 price would be more in keeping with the size, capabilities, and ammenities of the vehicle.
Of course, I still plan on buying one in 2012. Hopefully there will be a refresh on the design that smooths over a few rough edges.
i agree, indigo. pricing points are critical.
i'm not saying they shouldn't keep working on their current hybrid drive, i'm just suggesting that they supplement their hybrid portfolio with a full hybrid drive.
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