Insight Sales Down 25% Since 2010 Prius Release

[Danny]

A new story entry has been added:

Insight Sales Down 25% Since 2010 Prius Release

It looks like the new Honda Insight is in for some hard times, sales-wise. Honda sales figures for June show that Insight sales dropped 25% from 2,780 units in May to 2,079 units in June. Over the same period the Prius' sales have risen from 10,091 units to 12,998. It's hard not to point out that the Prius' increase from May to June was greater than the number of Insights sold in June.
At this rate, it's going to be tough for Honda to reach their 90,000 sales goal by the end of the first model year.

[bwilson4web]

This makes sense. However, VW is pretty happy with their diesel sales:

Green Car Congress: VW Diesels Represented 26% of Its Total US Sales in June

In June, Volkswagen’s diesels posted . . . 5,072 units, . . .

So Toyota went from 10,000 to 13,000 May to June and VW is up to the 5,000 unit scale. IMHO, they probably took a big chunk of the Honda Insight sales. The Jetta TDI sedan has a vehicle body compared to the Honda Insight but neither really competes with the 2010 Prius in price or performance.

Bob Wilson

[The Electric Me]

I'm afraid this could be bad news for everyone. Yes, I think the Prius is a superior product but failure of the Insight is bad news for Hybrids in general.

I have to wonder how this will affect Hondas supposed plans to expedite a Honda Fit Hybrid. Seems like they advanced that idea when the Insight seemed to be selling well. Can't really see them offering another competing Honda Hybrid if they can't sell the Insight as it is.

Plus, I think I've got to move my purchase of The Prius up. I'm afraid if Toyota decides The Insight isn't a threat anymore, they will increase the price of the base models. Right now, I think a pkg2, pkg3 is a good value and I think competition created that value.

I don't want an Insight, but I would wish it could have a moderate amount of success because I think that works well for everyone.

[adamace1]

Originally Posted by The Electric Me

I'm afraid this could be bad news for everyone. Yes, I think the Prius is a superior product but failure of the Insight is bad news for Hybrids in general.

I have to wonder how this will affect Hondas supposed plans to expedite a Honda Fit Hybrid. Seems like they advanced that idea when the Insight seemed to be selling well. Can't really see them offering another competing Honda Hybrid if they can't sell the Insight as it is.

Plus, I think I've got to move my purchase of The Prius up. I'm afraid if Toyota decides The Insight isn't a threat anymore, they will increase the price of the base models. Right now, I think a pkg2, pkg3 is a good value and I think competition created that value.

I don't want an Insight, but I would wish it could have a moderate amount of success because I think that works well for everyone.

What your saying is very true. thats why there hasn't been a bg movement towards smaller cars with good gas milage. The only thing that will help the cause is hiigh gas prices, like over 4$ for over a year then people will buy them. Most people don't care about anythiing but themselfs and money, so high gas prices will make most people care, for the wrong reasons but still care.

[equake]

I disagree that the reviewers have been negative about the Insight. I've read quite a few that have rated it higher than the Gen III Prius in Comparison tests i.e. Car and Driver.

The Consumer Reports review may hurt it further but the Gen III Prius is the major competition for Honda and the FFH acclaim also doesn't help.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by The Electric Me

. . . failure of the Insight is bad news for Hybrids in general. . . .

I think there is a place where the IMA system makes sense, the smallest vehicles including motorcycles. Their compact size and ability to provide the low-end torque makes a lot of sense. I just don't see the IMA scaling well to larger vehicles.

Bob Wilson

[The Electric Me]

Originally Posted by equake

I disagree that the reviewers have been negative about the Insight. I've read quite a few that have rated it higher than the Gen III Prius in Comparison tests i.e. Car and Driver.

The Consumer Reports review may hurt it further but the Gen III Prius is the major competition for Honda and the FFH acclaim also doesn't help.

Reviews for the Insight have been all over the place. Unfortunately a bad review from a major outlet can do more damage than 3 good reviews from less respected or known outlets. People forget nice, they remember bad. However, yes there have been some good reviews for the Insight.

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

I think there is a place where the IMA system makes sense, the smallest vehicles including motorcycles. Their compact size and ability to provide the low-end torque makes a lot of sense. I just don't see the IMA scaling well to larger vehicles.

Bob Wilson

I totally agree. I don't see the IMA scaling to larger vehicles. Trouble seems to start when the battery starts to age or weaken. HSD is superior for larger applications and for maintaining benefit as it ages. IMO.

[wfolta]

Originally Posted by equake

I disagree that the reviewers have been negative about the Insight. I've read quite a few that have rated it higher than the Gen III Prius in Comparison tests i.e. Car and Driver.

The Car & Driver review was ridiculous. They rated the Prius above the Insight for the entire article, then at the end catapult the Insight to first place because it would be so cheap that it would ignite a revolution and everyone could afford a hybrid.

Problem is, it's not really cheap. I was tempted, but when I saw how much less you get for not very much less money, I got a Prius III.

EDIT: And yes, the IMA is a bandaid at best. THe more I've learned about the HSD, the more brilliant it is. There really IS a synergy at having the engine and TWO electric motor/generators all working together through the PSD. It's way more than the sum of the parts.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

This makes sense. However, VW is pretty happy with their diesel sales:

Green Car Congress: VW Diesels Represented 26% of Its Total US Sales in June

So Toyota went from 10,000 to 13,000 May to June and VW is up to the 5,000 unit scale. IMHO, they probably took a big chunk of the Honda Insight sales. The Jetta TDI sedan has a vehicle body compared to the Honda Insight but neither really competes with the 2010 Prius in price or performance.

Bob Wilson

i really hope americans see instead of the stupid europeans that diesels are dirty ice's and that diesels dont get a bigfoot on US ground like the diesel have in the EU

ofcourse being from the EU i can call the EU people that drive a diesel stuppid europeans like 80% of them

[bwilson4web]

Might as well 'back of the envelope' what I think is the right design:

• external combustion engine - sized for 75 mph up 6% grade
• 4-wheel direct drive motors - drive-in wheels
• capacitor-battery energy storage - sufficient to reach 75 mph up a 6% grade before requiring external combustion engine power (would accept hydraulic-battery systems).
• cabin space - 2010 Prius is good but also want utility van and convertible, sports model
• seats provide heating and cooling - individual controls
• integration with home, office, and appartment HVAC, so vehicle is grid ready and ready to leave grid at all times

Of course this requires massive amounts of 'unobtanium', which no doubt would be an ecological disaster in some minds. Nothing like PowerPoint engineering ... it worked so well for the hydrogen-fraud advocates.

Bob Wilson