Honda subcompact Fit hybrid goes on sale in Japan

Wait till this car hits the U.S. market. At those prices, Honda won't be able to make enough of them if gas goes above $3.

 

Honda has no plans to bring the fit to the U.S. market. I'm not sure why, but those are their plans.

I wonder though if any will end up in the U.S. through private importers.

 

Finding anything less than $2.899 in NYC is pure luck. The ones listed lower in the link are probably the only ones in the whole city.

New York City Gas Prices - Find Cheap Gas Prices in New York

 

They wont bring it here because it will not pass NHTSA and USDOT safety requirements without major work. That's why the engines are always bigger, cars are always heavier, and milage always worse over here.

 

Lot more smaller cars showing up these days - Mazda2, Fiesta, etc... people aren't getting smaller though.

I wouldn't drive a Fit though. Seat's almost as bad as stock Gen2, 'cept it does have tele wheel.

 

And all of those cars have been bastardized for the USDM.

 

So a hybrid Fit upgraded to the American market might only get 60mpg? Aren't these cars already manufactured to our safety standards, or is it a completely different production facility?

 

I'd have thought most cars now are pretty much built for world markets, with only a little bit of tweeking here and there for differing emissions standards.

I'm wondering if Honda not releasing it in the US is more to do with the poor reception of the Insight?

I know we're getting the Honda Jazz (fit) hybrid in the UK http://www.honda.co.uk/cars/jazz/hybrid/?teaserid=jazzhybrid but the fuel economy isn't that fantastic for what it is - 104g/km co2 against 89g/km for the Prius. So the Prius is more economal on the Euro fuel economy tests.

 

I'd have thought most cars now are pretty much built for world markets, with only a little bit of tweeking here and there for differing emissions standards.

I'm wondering if Honda not releasing it in the US is more to do with the poor reception of the Insight?

I know we're getting the Honda Jazz (fit) hybrid in the UK Honda Jazz | Book Test Drive | Specification, Finance & Information but the fuel economy isn't that fantastic for what it is - 104g/km co2 against 89g/km for the Prius. So the Prius is more economal on the Euro fuel economy tests.

 

Most cars are built for the world market which almost always excludes the US.

The smart`s engine was increased by a full litre before it made its way over to the US and Canada. This dropped its fuel economy pretty heftily.

The iQ went from a 1.0 litre 3 cylinder to a 1.3litre 4 cylinder. The Japanese/World markets have start/stop engines in the 1.3litres, but I have not heard of that coming to these shores.

Then Peugot/Renault/Citroen wont even export cars to the states because of all the excess safety requirements. Isnt Peugot making a 3008 hyrbid minivan thing that gets 57mpg? That wont be in the states.

 

The IQ on sale here in the UK has both a 1.0 and a 1.3 with either manual or auto option on both engines. The start stop technology is only available on the manuals.

You wouldn't want the French big 3 to sell their cars in the US. Sure they offer some very stylish cars, but they don't have a good reputation for reliability! IThe 3008 hybrid looks good on paper but is already a standing joke on the UK hybrid forums as we just know it will be an electrical nightmare.

I know the following link is a few years old but I think you'll get the idea

Best/worst reliability - Best/worst for reliability - Top Gear

 

The French have the same reliability problem as the US's big three. I am well aware of the problems

In Japan you can get the 1.0 or the 1.3 with manual, auto, or CVT. In the states you will only be able to get the 1.3, with bigger 17" tires, not sure on the tranny.

But for those that want the 1 litre, you cant have it.

 

I own a Honda Fit. It's great little automobile.

I'd like it at least to be offered in the US. I'd definently take a look.

Personally I like the giant sunroof available on the Jazz. That's what I wish was available here in the US.

 

On the fiesta, which ford was very public about, they had to change the front of the car a little for safety regulations. This added weight caused minor changes to the suspension. Honda doesn't have any problems with the emissions regulations, but I think the US fit is slightly different for the safety regulations. They could easily put the Japanese hybrid components into the US honda fit body. My guess is they want to test it in Japan, and if it does well they will launch it world wide.

The french don't sell here because they didn't make money here. Americans did not buy the low quality cars. The better makers did not have a problem complying with US safety regulations. This includes hyundai/kia, which have virtually no safety regulations in their home market. I would like the US regs to be a little less cumbersome though so that lighter cars and less expensive cars could be produced.

European fuel economy scores are always much higher than US scores as the test is easier.

 

The Jazz/Fit gets 64MPG on the UK ratings, which would be slightly under 50mpg (maybe 47-48) on the US rating. Sounds good to me, as the price/performance ratio makes it reasonably attractive...

 

Its interesting that they managed to keep all interior space and all seat folding functionality.

They say that the battery is under the floor at the back. Did they had to give up the spare tire to fit the battery?

 

That's possible. You could also rob ten litres or so from the fuel tank...