Honda Announces Plans for a Fit Hybrid and Releases More Details About its Prius Fighter

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Honda has already announced plans to increase its current hybrid lineup, but now Honda’s President, Takeo Fukui has released even more info about the upcoming models.

The first new hybrid model that will be released will be Honda’s Toyota Prius fighter. The model will feature Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system. It will be a 5-door hatchback, like the Prius and will seat five passengers. It’s styling will draw cues from the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle that was unveiled at the LA Auto Show last fall. The yet to be named vehicle will launch in early 2009 and will be built in Honda’s Suzuka factory in Japan. Honda expects global sales of the model to reach 200,000 units with 100,000 of those going to North America.

Honda is also working on a hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car (think CR-X) that was unveiled next year. In addition Honda has also announced plans to introduce a hybrid version of its popular Fit.

Honda expects to sell 500,000 hybrid models worldwide combined (Civic, Fit, CR-Z and Prius-fighter) once all four models are up and going. The Fit hybrid will not be released until 2015. But the CR-Z based hybrid will launch before the Fit, right after the next Civic hybrid.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Honda’s Prius fighter stacks up against the all-new Prius that will be launching around the same time next year.

Related Stories:
All-New 2009 Honda Fit Hits New York
LA Auto Show: Honda Reveals the FCX Clarity…The Ultimate Green Car!
Honda CR-Z Concept Unveiled…Finally a Successor to the CR-X?
2010 Toyota Prius Will be Unveiled Next January…It’s Going to be Bigger and More Powerful

PRESS RELEASE:

Honda Announces Additional Details on New Small Hybrid Vehicle

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.

“Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid development since it first introduced the American public to hybrid technology with the Insight in 1999,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “These new advancements in Honda’s technology and production systems will result in cost reductions that will allow us to make hybrid technology available to a whole new generation of buyers.”

Featuring seating for five passengers, distinctive styling and high-value amenities, the new hybrid will present an appealing package. Taking advantage of reductions in the size of components, the battery and the internal processing unit will be positioned below the rear cargo area, allowing the hatchback design to provide adequate cargo space to meet the needs of a family. Additionally, various technologies, including a function to assist more fuel efficient driving, are being installed to achieve a further improvement of practical fuel efficiency. With its affordable price, the new hybrid vehicle will represent the best value in its segment.

The new hybrid will be produced at a newly developed second IMA production line at Honda’s Suzuka factory, which currently produces the Civic Hybrid. With the second line in operation and improvements in IMA production efficiency, hybrid production capacity at Suzuka will increase from 70,000 vehicles per year to approximately 250,000 units, with future expansion possible if needed.

Honda is committed to offering products with the highest environmental performance produced at factories with reduced environmental footprints. A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced the first low-emission vehicles; America’s first gas/electric hybrid car, the Insight and the world’s first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, among other environmental achievements. In 2007, Honda was named “greenest automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.