Honda Canada to tweak '08 Fit for fuel economy?
#1
05-28-2007, 05:05 PM
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 374
Honda Canada to tweak '08 Fit for fuel economy
As discussed in this thread, the Canadian government is offering a rebate of $1000 to $2000 for "fuel-efficient" cars, and the Fit does not quite qualify.
A poster, MetroMPG, over at GasSavers.org wrote to Honda about it, and received a reply --
Full thread here
A poster, MetroMPG, over at GasSavers.org wrote to Honda about it, and received a reply --
We have investigated what can be done from a technical point of view to comply with the Government's arbitrary number on a go forward basis. Action will be taken for the 2008 model year even though we still have no clarity from the Government that the number [the rebate threshold] will remain the same.
Last edited by kps; 06-13-2007 at 10:06 AM.
#2
06-13-2007, 10:04 AM
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 374
Confirmation, from wheels.ca via gassavers --
Honda Canada is tinkering with two cars to improve fuel efficiency so they can qualify for $1,000 rebates under the federal government's controversial auto rebate program, a senior company official revealed yesterday.
Honda research and development staff in Japan are working to increase fuel efficiency on the Fit subcompact and Civic compact for the 2008 model year, executive vice-president Jim Miller said.
Honda research and development staff in Japan are working to increase fuel efficiency on the Fit subcompact and Civic compact for the 2008 model year, executive vice-president Jim Miller said.
#3
06-13-2007, 03:00 PM
I wonder what they're trying. I doubt that they'll drop off any safety items to save weight.
I'd think that the easiest thing to do would just be to kick up the gear ratios a bit. They really don't have a whole lot of tweaking to do to cross the rebate line.....
I'd think that the easiest thing to do would just be to kick up the gear ratios a bit. They really don't have a whole lot of tweaking to do to cross the rebate line.....
Cheap, fast fix.
#7
06-15-2007, 01:27 PM
This time without as much sarcasm...
So Honda has missed the rebate threshold by 0.1 liter/100km, all they need is a 1.5% increase to qualify. If they could add an accessory that takes less than 5 minutes to install and can't cost more than $25 to manufacture in bulk to see a verifiable 5%+ increase in fuel economy, why wouldn't they do it? Even if a voltage stabilizer is only half as effective as advertised, they're still golden.
I'm not saying that voltage stabilizers don't work on some cars, but it seems unlikely that Honda would leave that level of improvement on the table. The current conversation is around eliminating safety features or building new unique transmissions to meet this Canadian standard. Both of the solutions being examined by Honda are certainly more costly. Maybe their electrical engineers aren't technical enough to understand the VS concept. (I'm sorry, sometimes my sarcasm just can't be helped)
Eric
So Honda has missed the rebate threshold by 0.1 liter/100km, all they need is a 1.5% increase to qualify. If they could add an accessory that takes less than 5 minutes to install and can't cost more than $25 to manufacture in bulk to see a verifiable 5%+ increase in fuel economy, why wouldn't they do it? Even if a voltage stabilizer is only half as effective as advertised, they're still golden.
I'm not saying that voltage stabilizers don't work on some cars, but it seems unlikely that Honda would leave that level of improvement on the table. The current conversation is around eliminating safety features or building new unique transmissions to meet this Canadian standard. Both of the solutions being examined by Honda are certainly more costly. Maybe their electrical engineers aren't technical enough to understand the VS concept. (I'm sorry, sometimes my sarcasm just can't be helped)
Eric
#8
06-20-2007, 12:15 AM
They could just do what all the other car companies do and lie about it. The Chrysler group has a whole whack of cars that made the cut, in the US the EPA has completly different numbers accross the board.
EDIT: Bah, never mind nothing matches the EPA Estimates from the Canadain EnerGuide Standards. My point is lost in a mess of garbled data.
EDIT: Bah, never mind nothing matches the EPA Estimates from the Canadain EnerGuide Standards. My point is lost in a mess of garbled data.
Last edited by Sugarphreak; 06-20-2007 at 12:44 AM.
#9
06-20-2007, 12:39 AM
Our local paper recently reported that Honda was in fact looking at removing the curtain air bags and ABS to meet the weight requirements (although I just don't get that) As I understand it, these items are not standard on the Yaris.
I was offered the $1000 directly from Honda Canada
to match the rebate program that the Yaris IS eligible for so that they remain competitive. I went and looked at the Yaris before signing for my FiT and didn't even get out of my car. When I saw it I turned around and left!! Uggh!
Oh and plus I got the Fuel efficiency $100 off as well. As far as I know, if you are in Canada, Honda is offering the $1000 themselves as they are fighting with the feds to accept the FiT. (it is actually covered $750 Honda and $250 dealer)
I was offered the $1000 directly from Honda Canada
to match the rebate program that the Yaris IS eligible for so that they remain competitive. I went and looked at the Yaris before signing for my FiT and didn't even get out of my car. When I saw it I turned around and left!! Uggh! Oh and plus I got the Fuel efficiency $100 off as well. As far as I know, if you are in Canada, Honda is offering the $1000 themselves as they are fighting with the feds to accept the FiT. (it is actually covered $750 Honda and $250 dealer)
#11
06-21-2007, 01:46 AM
http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/Benefits_page2?L=E
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