Fit Hybrid coming first of 2009
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 93
From: southeast US
Fit Hybrid coming first of 2009
Honda to sell new gas-electric hybrid next year
10 hours ago
TOKYO (AP) — Honda Motor Co. will sell a new, improved and affordable gas-electric hybrid in the U.S., Japan and Europe starting in early 2009, the company's president said Wednesday.
Takeo Fukui told reporters that "green" cars, especially hybrids, will be a pillar of Honda's strategy for the next three years, starting this fiscal year that began April 1.
He did not say what the price of the vehicle would be. But he said the new hybrid will be a five-door sedan seating five passengers, and it will feature new technology that reduces the size and weight of the hybrid system to increase fuel efficiency.
"Hybrids have drawn attention for their image, but time has come to go to the next step," he said, stressing that Honda was serious about selling hybrids in numbers.
Honda plans to sell 500,000 hybrids per year sometime after 2010, he said.
To expand hybrid sales, Honda will introduce a new sporty hybrid based on the CR-Z model, a Civic hybrid and a hybrid model of the Fit subcompact, which is sold as the Jazz in Europe, in addition to the new hybrid going on sale next year, Fukui said.
The Associated Press: Honda to sell new gas-electric hybrid next year
10 hours ago
TOKYO (AP) — Honda Motor Co. will sell a new, improved and affordable gas-electric hybrid in the U.S., Japan and Europe starting in early 2009, the company's president said Wednesday.
Takeo Fukui told reporters that "green" cars, especially hybrids, will be a pillar of Honda's strategy for the next three years, starting this fiscal year that began April 1.
He did not say what the price of the vehicle would be. But he said the new hybrid will be a five-door sedan seating five passengers, and it will feature new technology that reduces the size and weight of the hybrid system to increase fuel efficiency.
"Hybrids have drawn attention for their image, but time has come to go to the next step," he said, stressing that Honda was serious about selling hybrids in numbers.
Honda plans to sell 500,000 hybrids per year sometime after 2010, he said.
To expand hybrid sales, Honda will introduce a new sporty hybrid based on the CR-Z model, a Civic hybrid and a hybrid model of the Fit subcompact, which is sold as the Jazz in Europe, in addition to the new hybrid going on sale next year, Fukui said.
The Associated Press: Honda to sell new gas-electric hybrid next year
New Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
From: North Florida
Honda makes it official: Hybrid Fit coming
Don't know if this has been mentioned here already, but check this out, from a Honda press release ... "Honda also plans to introduce another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show as well as a Fit Hybrid Model."
Here's more :
TORRANCE, Calif., May 20, 2008 - Honda today announced additional details regarding its new small hybrid scheduled for introduction in early 2009, as part of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. An official name and full product details will be announced later this year.
In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior design concept that evokes the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded IMA production line at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.
The new small gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle will have expected annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 of which are bound for the North American market. Following this launch, Honda also plans to introduce another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show AS WELL AS A FIT HYBRID MODEL. Including the Civic Hybrid, these four hybrid vehicles are expected to reach combined annual global sales of approximately 500,000 units.
Here's more :
TORRANCE, Calif., May 20, 2008 - Honda today announced additional details regarding its new small hybrid scheduled for introduction in early 2009, as part of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. CEO Takeo Fukui's mid-year address. An official name and full product details will be announced later this year.
In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a 5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior design concept that evokes the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle. Along with the Civic Hybrid, the new vehicle will be produced at an expanded IMA production line at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan.
The new small gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle will have expected annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 of which are bound for the North American market. Following this launch, Honda also plans to introduce another unique small hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car first shown at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show AS WELL AS A FIT HYBRID MODEL. Including the Civic Hybrid, these four hybrid vehicles are expected to reach combined annual global sales of approximately 500,000 units.
New Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 8
From: North Florida
Frequent FitFreak Poster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 446
From: FL
Hence the source... this article says 2015.
Honda Plans Fit Hybrid by 2015 | Car News Blog & Discussion at Automobile Magazine
No automaker currently offers a subcompact hybrid vehicle, but Honda intends to change that with a Fit hybrid.
The automaker previously refrained from putting hybrid powertrain into the already fuel-efficient Fit, but company president Takeo Fukui now says a hybrid model would "get even better" fuel economy. In order to attract customers, however, the hybrid option shouldn't cost more than $2000 - a tight budget, but Honda's got plenty of time to work on it.
The hybrid Fit likely wouldn't appear until 2015, appearing on the third generation Fit (the second generation model launches in the U.S. later this year). Honda plans for three other hybrids to be introduced by that time, including a sedan along the lines of Toyota's Prius, a revamped Civic hybrid and a "sporty" hybrid - possibly based off the CR-Z concept.
Source: Automotive News
Honda Plans Fit Hybrid by 2015 | Car News Blog & Discussion at Automobile Magazine
No automaker currently offers a subcompact hybrid vehicle, but Honda intends to change that with a Fit hybrid.
The automaker previously refrained from putting hybrid powertrain into the already fuel-efficient Fit, but company president Takeo Fukui now says a hybrid model would "get even better" fuel economy. In order to attract customers, however, the hybrid option shouldn't cost more than $2000 - a tight budget, but Honda's got plenty of time to work on it.
The hybrid Fit likely wouldn't appear until 2015, appearing on the third generation Fit (the second generation model launches in the U.S. later this year). Honda plans for three other hybrids to be introduced by that time, including a sedan along the lines of Toyota's Prius, a revamped Civic hybrid and a "sporty" hybrid - possibly based off the CR-Z concept.
Source: Automotive News
Last edited by Kelmar; May 21, 2008 at 10:56 AM.
Frequent FitFreak Poster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 446
From: FL
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,244
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Im going to give Hybrids another 5 years or so before I even consider them. Partly because I tend to hang on to cars until they die or blow up. If I bought a Hybrid, any money I save on gas is going to be wiped out by the added cost to purchase as well as the cost down the road to replace the battery packs. But again if gas goes to $10/gal then I might think faster. Until battery prices go down as well, then its conventional gas engine for me....(just need to make sure its a small gas efficient engine anyway)
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 184
From: St. Paul, MN USA
This is from the horse's mouth:
Honda Worldwide | May 21, 2008 "Summary of 2008 Mid-Year CEO Speech FORECAST"
Honda Worldwide | May 21, 2008 "Summary of 2008 Mid-Year CEO Speech FORECAST"
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 62
From: Lake Worth, FL
Too bad it doesn't mention what markets it will be available in. It took a while to get the Fit here in the first place. But maybe since they are calling it a hybrid fit instead of Jazz they mean for the US market.
Merchant / Group Buy Organizer ( non-certified )
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 347
From: SoCal
Hybrid Fit?
New Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 20
From: San Diego, Ca
Hybrid drivetrain
After driving the Toyota Prius, I really enjoyed it's Electric Mode. I've read that the Honda Civic Hyrbid has an electric assist motor, and has no Electric only mode.
Driving under EV mode is nice, and I hope Honda will go this course.
Driving under EV mode is nice, and I hope Honda will go this course.
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 184
From: St. Paul, MN USA
Fit Hybrid is coming in 2010
The Fit Hybrid is coming in early 2010, according to the Honda CEO. The other, hybrid-only model, will be released worldwide including North America in early 2009. That's the one you will see first.
Last edited by jacksan1; May 21, 2008 at 04:55 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 184
From: St. Paul, MN USA
I am becoming very curious about how Honda may handle the battery pack in the Fit Hybrid and the magic seats. With the way the floorpan is right now, the Fit would not have the space to shove in the battery pack. I would assume, then, that the floor would have to be raised in order to accommodate the battery pack, but then what would happen to the magic seats, e.g., the tall mode and even the full flat mode? A lot of cabin/luggage height would be compromised if the floor had to be raised. So I am getting curious as to how Honda may handle this issue....