Honda began selling its new Honda Insight in Japan and, based on the price set there, the US should expect the new dedicated hybrid to come in under $20,000.
Honda set the pricetag at 1.89 million yen ($21,000) in Japan, making it the cheapest full hybrid on the road today. With the economic climate where it is, plus cheaper gas prices, some are wondering how well the new Insight will do.
In comparison, the Prius sells for 2.3 million yen in Japan, over $22,000 in the US. Although, you can probably get a good deal on the Prius right now with a new generation Prius due out in a few months.
The Insight will also face stiffer competition from Ford, with their new Hybrid Fusion and Hybrid Milan due out in a few months. And if you act quickly, Ford hybrids are still eligible for the full amount of the hybrid tax credits from the federal government. Toyota and Honda hybrid buyers are no longer eligible for even part of the federal tax credit.
Honda has hoped to sell 200,000 Insights a year, with a 100,000 being bought in the US. It's unlikely to see those sorts of numbers right now, but based on projections six months ago, that was a reasonable goal given sales of the Prius.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Honda Insight Begins Selling in Japan
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