Honda sees brisk demand for new hybrid

$21k starting? Hope that is not what Honda is going to charge in the US.

I can get a 2009 Prius for just under $21k in this part of the country now.

 

In Japan the Honda Insight starts at 1.89 million yen ($20,462) while the Toyota Prius starts at 2.3 million yen ($24,904).

I expect a similar price difference between the 2010 Insight and 2010 Prius in the US market.

 

I suspect the base Prius I will be announced or will be available to coincide with the Insight's debut in the US at a comparable price.

 

For 3G, I don't think so. Toyota reported will be selling a strip down 2G Prius to compete with the Insight at the same time with the 3G.

 

That was denied at Prius Connection Detroit.

 

I cannot think of a single example where that statement is correct. Can you quote an example?

 

As Pat said, PriusChatters that have attended Prius Connect events have reported that Toyota will not continue to sell the 2G Prius in the US market. It seems that Toyota is only continuing the 2G for the Japanese market.

My personal suspicion is that Toyota is planning on using the 2G Prius to replace the Crown as their vehicle for taxi fleets.

 

According to Yahoo Japan, 10,000 Insights have been ordered already and they may hit 15,000 this month. It may also be the top selling car in Japan this month.

In their ads, Honda seem to be stressing the price and that its a "compact" hybrid. The size is presented in a "its not a bug, its a feature" style. Judging from the photos only, rear legroom looks a bit tight to me.

 

Another issue for buyers in Japan is how the car tax system will change in April 2009. It was announced last August that car tax would change from an engine size basis to a CO2/km basis. At present, the system strongly favours the "kei" 660cc cars that only pay 7200 yen a year. One car in three sold in Japan at present is a kei. A Prius currently has to pay the same as other 1500cc cars, 34500 yen. Nearly five times as much for a less polluting car. It makes no sense.

If the road tax for the Insight and Prius falls to kei car levels, I'd expect sales to get quite a boost, economic doom notwithstanding. Hopefully there'll be an announcement soon to keep the Insight-inspired extra interest in hybrids going.

 

That's a lot of information your storing there, in your @ss!

 

I was thinking about the proposal to continue selling the 1.5L Prius and the Japanese market and it makes a lot of sense. The USA has a lot of long distance, high speed travel and the Europeans have a fondness for it too. The 2010 Prius is optimized for high speed cross country travel and cold climates. It is a good answer for our markets. The 1.5L Prius works in North America for those with the self-discipline to stay in the 65 mph range but that is not common (ever watch "Top Gear"?)

I can easily imagine many of the 2010 features being fitted into the 1.5L Prius and possibly an even smaller, displacement engine vehicle. In fact, a hybrid version of the Tanto body-style would be a terrific vehicle for a place like Okinawa (where I was stationed for a year.)

Bob Wilson

 

A snappy comeback could be:"Well it's a rather large @nice person", but that would be mean.

 

Have the CO2 figures been published yet? On the EU NEDC test used for the UK car test, the 2G Prius produces 104g/km CO2 while the Insight SE is 101, Insight ES will be 105. That places both cars in band B (101-120g/km), which is £35 per year, but as hybrids they attract a £20 'alternative fuel vehicle' discount on top. Bands are changing from April 2009 and the new, smaller Band B (101-110g/km) will be £20, but there's still a £20 discount so it will be free. The AFV discount drops to £10 from April 2010.

The CO2 scheme started in March 2001; owners of early 'Classic' Prius first registered before that date pay £120, eight times as much. A guy on the Prius-UK Yahoo group bought his in late February 2001.

No information about the 2010 Prius yet (Toyota GB don't even acknowledge that it's coming). Still, if the 8.7% improvement in fuel economy on the EPA test carries over (and since the EPA tests more cold-weather conditions, it could be even more) it could slide down into Band A (£0 road tax) which would make it only the second petrol car to do so, after the Toyota iQ. (Only four diesels manage it, and they're all tiny: Smart ForTwo Coupé with 33kW engine, Ford Fiesta 1.6 ECOmotion, VW Polo 1.4 BlueMotion, Seat Ibiza 1.4 Ecomotion.) Sadly I don't think you can claim back the AFV discount!

We have very few cars with an engine as small as 660cc. Only the Mitsubishi i, in fact, which is 658cc - and produces 114g/km CO2, landing in Band B before April, but in new Band C (£30) after that. There's a 'Chevrolet' (Daewoo) Matiz with a 796cc engine - 119g/km with the 5-speed manual box, 132 with the 4-speed automatic. The iQ is a 1.0 litre car, so engine size isn't necessarily a predictor of economy or emissions.

 

I was quite happy to read this. Is this because of the switch away from the fuel bladder or are there other changes that assist the car in cold climates?