LA Times - how Insight sales are doing against Prius

Sounds about right compared to what we are hearing.

Tom

 

Hi all, first post here as I'm about a month away from a Prius purchase.

I test drove both Insight and Prius and came away with two very different impressions. I'm not surprised that the Insight isn't fairing well because the impression was, "why do I want to buy this car?" The mileage isn't that great, actually fairly close to a Corolla's. The driving experience is so much like other Hondas that it doesn't really register that you're driving something special.

The only upshot is that the local Honda dealer is practically giving them away. They told me that it would be no problem getting one for $18k.

On the other hand, my first experience driving a Prius was something special. It's larger, more luxurious, and gives the driver a lot of the same premium experience you'd get in a high-end Camry or low-end Lexus. Better gas mileage, too, and for me that's the bottom line. I'll make up the price difference with my 36,000 mile per year use pattern.

The dealer promised to be fair on price, too. When I'm ready to trade in my '06 Corolla, I know which car I'll buy (hint: I'm not posting on insightchat.com.)

 

We also looked at the Insight months before the Prius came out and we did not like it. When we got a chance to finally see the new Prius (in person), we were in love at first sight and bought 3 weeks later.

I hope that Honda learns and corrects the Insight. I am a big believer in competition and how that can stimulate new technologies and changes in consumers.

 

Try telling that to some of the Honda fan boys/defenders/Prius haters over at Honda Insight II - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars.

 

Thanks for the welcome... much appreciated.

I've heard it said that people buy the Prius as a statement. My statement is simple... I think high MPG is its own reward, and making things better for the country and the planet is an extra added bonus. If everyone agreed, there would be a lot more hybrids of all stripes out there.

And cwerdna, I took a quick bop over to that site you mentioned... couldn't help noticing it's a lot smaller than this site, and seems less helpful too.

 

The front end of the Insight looks really ugly. It almost looks like they got the guys who designed the Pontiac Aztec to design the front end of the Insight - It just doesn't look right....

Keith

 

We went and looked at the Insight after watching the Top Gear episode on the Honda FCX Clarity. I think the front looks nice, but the rest looks econo. The interior is not good at all and the back seat is not comfortable.

 

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

Bob Wilson

 

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?

 

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 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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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!!)

 

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]".

 

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

 

Article is on point!