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Insight off to a flying start

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Silver bullit, May 5, 2009.

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  1. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    Insight off to a flying start
    29 April 2009
    [​IMG]​

    With only a few days remaining in its first month of sales, the Honda Insight is outselling its competitors in the hybrid market.

    Since the affordable hybrid car went on sale on 4 April, 229 Insights have been sold in the UK, ahead of its nearest rival the Toyota Prius (198 units). Together with Civic Hybrid (79 units), Honda (UK) has sold 308 hybrid family cars this month, despite April being known as one of the quietest months in the sales calendar.

    “The Insight is proving a hit with cost-savvy consumers looking for a cleaner car that’s more affordable,†said John Kingston, Honda (UK)’s Environment and Government Affairs Manager. “More and more people want a car that makes sound financial sense, especially in the current economic climate, and the Insight offers numerous running cost savings such as reduced road tax of £15 per year and great fuel economy.â€

    Insight customers will also benefit from high residual values of 44 per cent and exemption from the London Congestion Charge. Company car drivers and businesses can take advantage of the same benefits plus low benefit-in-kind tax, reduced national insurance payments and increased write down allowance.

    Honda expects to sell around 7,000 Insights in the UK this year. The annual global sales target is approximately 200,000 units. The Insight 1.3-litre IMA SE costs £15,490 on-the-road.
     
    #1 Silver bullit, May 5, 2009
  2. 1SMUGLEX

    1SMUGLEX I love the smug!

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    Its for people that just want the "H" badge. This car SHOULD HAVE debuted 6 years ago. Its barely competitive with the OLD Prius. The new Prius embarreses this effort.

    I can't believe this is the best Honda can do. The interior is circa a Pontiac from the 1990s with all those circles. I expected SO MUCH BETTER from them.

    Instead they rest on laurels again knowing people will buy it b/c they have good marketing and sheep.
     
    #2 1SMUGLEX, May 5, 2009
  3. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    > I can't believe this is the best Honda can do.

    And, I agree. However, Honda still do not buy into the whole idea of hybrids. They still believe it is a transient solution. Their main focus remains on fuel cell (Clarity). They are just trying not to fall too far behind when it comes to hybrids. Between Insight and Prius, it will come down to price war. MSRPs are irrelevant. Rebates can also grow bigger.
    The free market will decide how people perceive the value differences between Insight and Prius. Expensive one does not always win the market, and vice versa.
     
    #3 ceric, May 5, 2009
  4. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I love drawing conclusions from one month of data and a difference of less than 15%.
     
    #4 a_gray_prius, May 5, 2009
  5. drees

    drees Senior Member

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    No to mention that a completely new Prius is due out in less than a month - gee - think that may affect sales of the current Prius for anyone even slightly informed?

    Let's compare numbers at the end of the year - or heck - even after a full 3 months of sales of both 2010 models.

    I'm glad that Honda has upped it's game with the Insight. More competition means that the consumer wins. Now if only Ford would come out with a compact Hybrid, then we'll see some true competition in the segment.

    It'll be interesting to see how Fusion Hybrid sales compare to Camry Hybrid sales and if Ford can keep up with demand as historically they have not been able to keep up with demand with their Escape Hybrid.
     
    #5 drees, May 5, 2009
  6. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    well, its easy to "out of the gate faster" when you are the ONLY ONE out of the gate...

    wait till the 2010 Pri is on the streets. we see who is winning then... saw an insight on Saturday on our way to see "Walking With Dinosaurs" my SO was amazed at how "Pri-like" it was. she also thought it was comical in how much Honda copied it... too bad they did nt do the HSD as well
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 DaveinOlyWA, May 5, 2009
  7. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Whether it ousells #1 or not . . . to each his/her own, & bring it on!
     
    #7 hill, May 5, 2009
  8. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    competition is a good thing!!
     
    #8 DaveinOlyWA, May 5, 2009
  9. drees

    drees Senior Member

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    Damn, and I could have sworn that the Prius was Insight like! Damn you Toyota for making the Kammback mainstream and the iconic "hybrid" shape! Or was it Honda?

    [​IMG]

    Come on - stop spreading that myth, the truth is that there are only so many ways to build an aerodynamic car and Honda modeled it after a combination of the original Insight and Clarity.
     
    #9 drees, May 5, 2009
  10. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    remember now, it was my SO who thought this, not me. i personally dont care what the insight looks like. it is really a non-issue for me. looking the same, especially in this case, makes no difference at all. the insight is not even in the same class or level. the Pri, did before and with the new 2010, still continues to STAND ALONE
     
    #10 DaveinOlyWA, May 5, 2009
  11. PriusLewis

    PriusLewis Management Scientist

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    That's a net zero from a statistical standpoint. I know, I took 2 stat classes and STILL have no idea how I got A's! :madgrin:
     
    #11 PriusLewis, May 5, 2009
  12. Midpack

    Midpack Member

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    The Insight got off to a great start in Japan too. But are you sure the results in Japan & the UK where "petrol" costs are (and have been for decades) 2-3 times higher, will be duplicated in the USA? I plan to buy a 2010 Prius, but most people I know would still rather have the biggest car they think they can afford - they're still not too worried about gas prices despite last summer...
     
    #12 Midpack, May 5, 2009
  13. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    And based on UK sales :rolleyes:

    Sorry, UK PriusChatters!
     
    #13 Danny, May 6, 2009
  14. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    You think Toyota copied the original Insight? You might need this The Optical Superstore if you think the Prius looks like an early Insight.
     
    #14 patsparks, May 6, 2009
    1 person likes this.
  15. Mormegil

    Mormegil Member

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    I wonder if the Insight sales have bit significantly into Prius sales.

    Anyway, I'm much happier with competition. And if more people buy Insights, that makes it easier to get that 2010 Prius for a good price!


    Besides, these are UK sales, and folks there are more use to smaller cars. So the smaller size of the Insight isn't such an issue.


    Good luck to Honda.
     
    #15 Mormegil, May 6, 2009
  16. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

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    Pre-orders will be front-loaded into the first month. We'll see what month 2 looks like.
     
    #16 Mike Dimmick, May 6, 2009
  17. Prius Team

    Prius Team Toyota Marketing USA

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    April US sales have been published. I'm sure someone is savvy enough to go track them down. :rolleyes:

    Doug Coleman
    Prius Product Manager
    Toyota Motor Sales, USA
     
    #17 Prius Team, May 6, 2009
  18. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    April US sales:

    2,096 = Insight

    8,385 = Prius
    .
     
    #18 john1701a, May 6, 2009
  19. Sandy

    Sandy Hippi Chick

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    Have to say after driving one I was not impressed, at all love the gauges, thats about it:)
     
    #19 Sandy, May 6, 2009
  20. 1SMUGLEX

    1SMUGLEX I love the smug!

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    Does anyone know sales goals for both?
     
    #20 1SMUGLEX, May 6, 2009
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