LA Times - how Insight sales are doing against Prius

[bwilson4web]

My understanding is the Jetta TDI is doing just as well as the Honda Insight ... ~2,500 / month.

Bob Wilson

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

The more hybrids we can get on the road - and the fewer guzzlers - the better off we all are.

I'm hoping that Honda has already gone back to the drawing boards and that they are planning on releasing a redesigned Insight next year. Honda is not giving up; they invested a lot to bring the current Insight to market, and they can see that the Prius is selling and gas-guzzlers are going out of style very quickly. Honda has invested in the Insight, and now they need to go back to the drawing board and get it right this second time around.

Any data on how the Civic Hybrid is selling?

[hill]

Originally Posted by justlurkin

Personally, I think it's a good thing Honda is getting trounced so badly with the Insight. That gives them extra incentive to start making improvements so the consumer might get a better car-- We have already seen news articles talking about Honda fast-tracking the improvements they will be making to the Insight, no doubt in response to the poor sales.

And that in turn will ensure Toyota doesn't rest on its laurels-- When the time comes to replace my '07 Prius, I have high hopes Toyota's 4th-generation Prius (2016 model year?) will blow my socks off.

I'd agree! Anyone other than me old enough to remember the 1st Honda Civic? Too tiny. But it just kept getting better & better. And even the 1st Civic was light-years better the the roller skate Honda 600 Coupe Z prior to that. Evan at 6'-5" ... I had both, back in the day.

.

[Froley1]

I believe (just my thoughts mind you) is that Honda lost it's way by failing to capitalize on the original 2 seat commuter insight. Management changes, change in corporate Philosophy, head in the sand--what have you, Honda had something and lost it somehow--someway and has not recovered it. Dealer stupidity refusing to sell or carry the first insight did not help.
Continued development of the original insight would have proven that the small, two seat, hybrid commuter car, has/had more of a customer base than just me.
If i could have obtained an original insight, if a dealer would have taken my money or helped me get one---i would have not purchased a Prius.
regards
Froley

[Prianista]

Originally Posted by hill

I'd agree! Anyone other than me old enough to remember the 1st Honda Civic? Too tiny. But it just kept getting better & better. And even the 1st Civic was light-years better the the roller skate Honda 600 Coupe Z prior to that. Evan at 6'-5" ... I had both, back in the day.
.

I admit to being old enough to have enjoyed driving my dad's Honda 600 Sedan to high school (mid-1970's).

2 friends once pulled a great prank by picking it up and rolling it down the open air corridors of my school.

It looked just like this picture, except it was red, like my Prius today.

[a priori]

Originally Posted by Rybold

Any data on how the Civic Hybrid is selling?

I'd also like to hear the answer to that question.

I have been concerned the Insight might dig deeply into the Civic Hybrid's sales. If it turned out to be the better car, then congratulations. Unfortunately, it might not be that better car.

As Tony pointed out, we really should not be celebrating low hybrid sales -- unless, of course, that particular hybrid is one to be truly embarassed about.

[DaveinOlyWA]

wow... insight not selling...but already knew that. it will sell to a segment of the population, but will sell much better when it can match the Pri in MPG's. (at least the classics mileage!!)

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by a priori

I'd also like to hear the answer to that question.

I have been concerned the Insight might dig deeply into the Civic Hybrid's sales.

For June 2009 US sales, see:
Honda Press Releases - American Honda Reports June Sales - July 01, 2009
Toyota Reports June and First-Half Sales

For all of 2008, see:
Honda Press Releases - American Honda Reports 2008 Annual and December Monthly Sales - January 05, 2009
Toyota Reports 2008 and December Sales | Auto News Article at Automotive.com

It's usually pretty easy to find US sales figures. Almost all major manufacturers who sell in the US report them at the beginning of every month for the previous month. Just search for "[automaker name] reports sales [month] [year]".

[bwilson4web]

Although I voted with my wallet for two Prius, I was checking out the Insight user reports at EPA fueleconomy.gov and found six owner reports running 49.1 and 51.4 MPG. This is small sample set but it suggests the Insight's mileage in service may be better than the EPA testing has predicted. An Insight isn't for our family but it looks to be capable of respectable mileage for a small car.

Bob Wilson

[1SMUGLEX]

Article is on point!