Honda Insight Hybrid To Be Canned By 2015?

by Anthony Ingram of www.greencarreports.com

Honda's Insight has never enjoyed the success of the Toyota Prius or even Honda's own Civic Hybrid, and it looks like the writing is now finally on the wall for the budget hybrid hatchback.

According to Autoblog Green, sources within the company have revealed that some preparation procedures normally associated with a new model launch--such as preparing advertising materials--are not taking place. It suggests that Honda doesn't intend to extend the Insight into the 2015 model year.

Few will shed a tear at this news, though it does leave a gap at the lower end of the hybrid market. Despite the Insight's compact body, it's actually the cheapest hybrid vehicle on sale--undercutting the Toyota Prius C by a small margin and significantly undercutting Honda's own Civic Hybrid.

At the same time, the Insight has never really enjoyed the sales success of Toyota's hybrids. While admirably efficient in real-world driving its 42 mpg combined economy rating doesn't really stand out, and its 1.3-liter Integrated Motor Assist hybrid drivetrain offers only modest performance.

Honda itself has neither confirmed nor denied the rumors, but it wouldn't come as a shock if Honda does pull the plug.

Last year, we described the Insight as the "forgotten hybrid"--with low sales since its introduction in 2009, scraping 20,000 units in its first two years and little over 15,000 in 2011. In 2012, the model sold just 22,440 units globally--one seventeenth the number of Prius sold worldwide despite a much lower price tag.
It looks unlikely Honda will bring an Insight replacement to the U.S. either, even if it produces one for other markets.

That gap could instead be filled by the next-generation Honda Fit Hybrid, a car we drove in Japan last month. The Insight is based on the previous Fit's floorpan, and it's likely a future model would use the new Fit's underpinnings.

The Fit has always sold better than the Insight--moving nearly 50,000 units last year and as many as 79,000 in 2008--so it makes much more sense to import that model, rather than try another Insight. Whether Honda will or not is a different matter...

Source;
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1088943_honda-insight-hybrid-to-be-canned-by-2015

AutoExpress: Honda Insight and CR-Z hybrids facing the axe

The Honda Insight and CR-Z hybrids are to be cut from Honda’s European line-up due to slow sales

by Tom Phillips of www.autoexpress.co.uk

The Honda Insight and Honda CR-Z hybrids could be axed in Europe before the next-generation models arrive, due to slow sales.

Although the updated Honda hybrids would still be sold in America and Japan, a company source said low volumes in shrinking markets like Spain and Italy meant the petrol-electric models were unlikely to reappear on this side of the Atlantic.

The current Honda Insight is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine, which is then boosted by an electric motor to improve power and emissions. In its cleanest form, it returns claimed average fuel economy of 68.9mpg and emits 96g/km of CO2 – some way behind the Toyota Prius, which claims 72.4mpg and emits 89g/km of CO2.

Although the latest Honda CR-Z breaks new ground by blending a hybrid drivetrain with a manual gearbox, for a sportier drive, it’s never quite struck a chord with buyers. The CR-Z doesn’t actually drive that well, while its claimed economy of 56.5mpg and 116g/km CO2 emissions mean the compromises required to run one just don’t add up.

However, the new Honda NSX supercar and new hybrid Honda Jazz won’t be affected, as the company says the proposed cuts to the range would be on a model-by-model basis.

When it arrives in 2015, the Honda NSX is expected to use a new direct-injection V6 petrol engine boosted by three electric motors – two on the front axle, and one built into the dual-clutch gearbox. Honda is aiming for a power output of more than 400bhp.

Meanwhile the all-new Honda Jazz hybrid will feature 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor that give a combined 133bhp. The old CVT is switched for a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and economy figures should be around 85mpg and 85g/km of CO2. It arrives in spring 2014.

Source;

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/insight/66463/honda-insight-and-cr-z-hybrids-facing-axe