Mr. Fukui said during the press conference that his company would first release a hybrid-only model in early 2009. This is not the Fit Hybrid. This model is for the global market, including North America. He then added that the Fit Hybrid is being slated to be released in early 2010, also intended for the global market. Mr. Fukui added that, because the Fit is already being manufactured in different parts of the world, its hybrid trim would be relatively easy to distribute world-wide. He did not exclude the Fit Hybrid from North America.

 

Yes but Honda PR in north america did Check Vtec.net. I also called by friend at Honda R&D and he stated the same.

 

I am looking at the original Japanese materials, including the transcript of Mr. Fukui's talk. They say nothing about the Hybrid Fit not becoming available in North America. Perhaps there is a separate internal communication between Japan and the U.S., but don't be surprised if Honda R&D as well as the PR in North America do not yet have the whole story from the Honda HQ in the Aoyama neighborhood. After all, Mr. Fukui has just given his talk.

 

While i will never say never, I would think that Most global PR people were notified considering that they would be getting questions from media. Either way the vehicle will not be available until 2010 so whos nows what could change by then.

 

Either way the vehicle will not be available until 2010 so whos nows what could change by then.

I totally agree with you there. In Japan, Honda is known among automotive journalists as the "Flip-flop Auto Inc." They are known to say/do one thing, and then suddenly change their minds later, leaving everyone wondering what has just happened. That includes the very Mr. Fukui, who not that long a time ago was rather ambivalent, almost negative, about the Fit Hybrid.

 

i wonder when this is coming out?