Honda to roll out cheap new hybrid model in early '09

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TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T) said on Wednesday it would launch a new, low-cost hybrid car in Japan, North America and Europe in early 2009 as it seeks to cut the lead of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) in the green car race.

Despite the pressure of record-high oil prices and concerns over climate change, fuel-efficient and low-emission hybrids still occupy a small niche in the global car market, partly due to their higher costs for both consumers and automakers.

Japan's top two automakers lead the industry in the fuel-saving technology which runs on both electricity and gasoline, but Toyota has dominated sales with its groundbreaking Prius model, which is only available as a hybrid.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080521/bs_nm/honda_dc

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... hybrids currently add $5,000 or more to comparable gasoline models, a premium Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui sees coming down to around $2,000 in the next generation of hybrids.

...

Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo said Honda hoped to price the hybrid-only car under 2 million yen ($19,290).

Good!

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

... hybrids currently add $5,000 or more to comparable gasoline models, a premium Honda Chief Executive Takeo Fukui sees coming down to around $2,000 in the next generation of hybrids.

...

Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo said Honda hoped to price the hybrid-only car under 2 million yen ($19,290).

Good!

The $5000 takes 100,000+ miles to break even over a non-hybrid. Of course you could just buy a $5000 used civic and save huge money.

But I'm glad Toyota is making this move. More choice.

[Niels Bohr 72]

I think the conspiracy is that the higher oil prices is forcing consumers to get hybrids.

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I think the conspiracy is that the higher oil prices is forcing consumers to get hybrids.

[Niels Bohr 72]

If the car will provide me with more mpg than my Prius, then, I will trade my Prius in for that Honda.

[eric&gen 0]

Forget about the cheap new hybrid if you want to save on gas then go out and buy a nice mountain bike.

Edited May 22, 2008 by evdogg412

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I'm going to kidnap some mexicans and make them pull my rikshaw to take me to work.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

If the car will provide me with more mpg than my Prius, then, I will trade my Prius in for that Honda.

Don't forget car insurance.

[naviomelo 0]

$19,290? That's supposed to be cheap? Anyone can buy a brand new Hyundai Accent for $10,775 right now with no dealer incentives at all. Do they have any idea how long it's going to take before we make back the $8,515 difference? Hybrids just aren't worth it.

[Niels Bohr 72]

$19,290? That's supposed to be cheap? Anyone can buy a brand new Hyundai Accent for $10,775 right now with no dealer incentives at all. Do they have any idea how long it's going to take before we make back the $8,515 difference? Hybrids just aren't worth it.

Depends on many factors for this solution. For those with short driving distances to work, getting a hybrid may not pay off. For those who drive long distances, and often, will have it pay off for getting a hybrid.

[Lisax 0]

Forget about the cheap new hybrid if you want to save on gas then go out and buy a nice mountain bike.

just what I was thinking, I got one last year, I think I'll dust it off and start using it!

I must admit though, those Prius cars are pretty damn good! I went in one the other day, they're cool cars!

Edited May 29, 2008 by Lisax

[PlatyPius 5]

Forget about the cheap new hybrid if you want to save on gas then go out and buy a nice mountain bike.

Or even better, get a road bike. I don't know why people haven't had that epiphany yet... MOUNTAIN bike vs. ROAD bike. Mountain bikes are heavier, slower, and - with smaller wheels - less efficient than road bikes. For those who hate road drop bars, lots of brands now have flat-bar road bikes, which are basically road bikes with mountain bike bars, stems, shifters, and brake levers. Raleigh Cadent FT1 and the Masi Caffe Racer Solo come to mind especially, since we sell those. lol

http://www.masibikes.com/cycles/caffe_solo.php

The Masi has an integrated tail light (in the seatpost), fender mounts, etc - so it's the perfect commuter bike. Plus, with lighter weight and road tires, you'll use about 25% less energy getting to work.

[Carolyn 1]

I don't know why Americans insist on cars with so many bells and whistles--$19,000 is by no means cheap!! My first car was a 1992 Suzuki Swift (just like the Geo Metro) that got something like 45 mpg in the city, 52 on the highway, and cost $6500 brand new.

Mind you, the Swift had no air conditioning, crank windows and no stereo (I did get one installed), but I loved that car. I don't think I ever had to fix a thing on it except the brakes and the exhaust.

When I bought my current car (a Honda Civic) I tried to find a similar hatchback, but was unimpressed with the choices. Let's hope that the US takes the cue of Europe and comes out with many decent, small, cheap and efficient vehicles soon! Send the SUV's (at least the non-hybrid or electric variety) to the auto graveyard!

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TOKYO (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co (7267.T) said on Wednesday it would launch a new, low-cost hybrid car in Japan, North America and Europe in early 2009 as it seeks to cut the lead of Toyota Motor Corp (7203.T) in the green car race.

Over one year later.....

YO HONDA!! Where is it?