Honda pegs U.S. sales goal at 60,000; Fit to be positioned below new Civic

macG · #1 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 12:58 AM

TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. wants to sell about 60,000 Fit economy cars a year in the United States.

"We've got to sell about that number," says Koichi Kondo, CEO of American Honda Motor Co. Inc., who revealed the unofficial sales goal. The Fit is scheduled to go on sale in the United States next spring or summer.

Kondo expects the Fit to appeal to a broad group of customers, including young people and families "who couldn't afford the Civic."

When it goes on sale this fall, the redesigned 2006 Honda Civic will be sportier and more powerful, leaving room for the Fit below it.

Honda has not released prices for the redesigned Civic. The 2005 model starts at $13,810, including shipping.

The Fit will compete with Toyota Motor Corp.'s successful Scion youth brand. At 60,000 a year, Fit sales would be on par with U.S. sales of Scion's two best sellers, the tC and xB. Through seven months of this year, Scion sold 31,964 xBs and 42,767 tCs.

The xB starts at $14,195, including shipping.

Honda's plant in Suzuka, Japan, assembled 249,818 Fits in 2004 for sale in Japan, Europe and Asia. The car is called the Jazz in Europe. The Fit would help Honda achieve its ambitious goal: 4.0 million sales worldwide in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2008. That's up from 3.4 million planned for this fiscal year.

Source: YUZO YAMAGUCHI
AutoWeek - Automotive News

MtViewGuy188 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-16-2005, 04:14 PM

...Honda's estimate of 60,000 Fits being sold in the USA is actually going to be an underestimate. If the Fit offers better fuel efficiency than the Civic I wouldn't be surprised if Honda ends up selling close to 90,000 Fits in the USA.

The vehicle would certainly be a hot seller in California and Florida, that's to be sure.

kvrayudu · #3 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 02:46 PM

I think Honda will Fit will be a success if it gives 50+ miles per gallon. It looks great. Peoples preferences will slowly drift towards fuel efficiant vehicles. Fit will be a catalyst for such changes. I can't wait for Fit to replace my Honda Accord.

tony · #4 (**permalink**) 09-01-2005, 11:41 PM

With gas prices nearing 4 bucks I'm definitely getting a Fit but only if it gives over 50 mpg.

bernyfit83 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2005, 01:55 AM

everything sounds great about the honda fit i just would like to see them in dealers soon

jpmccormac · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2005, 01:16 PM

60,000 units sounds reasonable, especially with gas prices rising. The question remains whether American drivers will accept this small car. Our over indulgence in big SUVs and other gas guzzlers needs to be reigned in. The US consumes 25% of the world's oil and with demand for cars in China and India rising rapidly, there's going to be a LOT of squabbling over oil. End of rant.

lyndab5685 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2005, 05:36 AM

Put our Scion XB purchase on the back burner, for the higher MPG of the Honda Fit.
Love the looks of the Fit, and the sweet rear seats. We run an Airport Shuttle business so there will be 4 of these in my future

grasspress · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 09:33 AM

Why does Honda think buyers of the Fit will be customers who 'can't afford a Civic'? Don't they realize they will be able to sell 60,000 of these cars to parents of high school and college students who want to 'be responsible' and to SUV owners who want a 'run-about' car for trips to the mall and for bragging rights with friends who complain about fuel prices. A second (or third) vehicle in the garage that is 'green' will enable them to 'have their cake and eat it too'.

shaolin · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2005, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtViewGuy188

...Honda's estimate of 60,000 Fits being sold in the USA is actually going to be an underestimate. If the Fit offers better fuel efficiency than the Civic I wouldn't be surprised if Honda ends up selling close to 90,000 Fits in the USA.

The vehicle would certainly be a hot seller in California and Florida, that's to be sure.

i agree and i can't wait for it

Stephen Hei · #10 (**permalink**) 09-21-2005, 08:13 PM

Working for Honda, it seems to be the pattern: Forcast low, expect higher results. I believe this car will also start a custom craze with younger adults, such as the Fast & Furious started. I'm just waiting to get the chance to pre-order mine for next year so I can retire my SUV.

MtViewGuy188 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-22-2005, 10:52 AM

...so I can get rid of my 1998 Civic HX CVT coupé.

The Civic HX coupé was great when I was the only driver most of the time (that was when I was working in the the San Francisco Bay Area during the 1990's) but since I now live with my ailing stepfather (and occasionally drive my aunt around on errands) I need a car that can easily seat four people if necessary and carry cargo easily, I'm definitely interested in getting the 2007 Fit.

pnerzak · #12 (**permalink**) 12-22-2005, 03:12 PM

I read somewhere that the Fit's mileage will not be as good as my current Honda Civic's mileage. I'd be much more interested in purchasing this if the mileage was as good as the Japanese 1.2 and 1.5 l versions.

SilverNChrome · #13 (**permalink**) 12-23-2005, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony

With gas prices nearing 4 bucks I'm definitely getting a Fit but only if it gives over 50 mpg.

$4 bucks...really????? C'mon, exaggerating a bit are we? You NJ guys get your gas cheaper than we do here in NY...plus you get FULL SERVE by law!!!!!

I hear ya though...even though gas has tapered off a bit to around $2.40 for regular, it will inevitably go up in price again. I don't think you will see 50mpg...but I think somewhere around 35mpg city / 40mpg hwy is certainly reasonable. Hey, if the Fit does turn out to get closer to 50mpg, I think Honda will far exceed its forecast of 60,000 units.