Honda Fit Designed as Prius Killer in Challenge to Toyota

The Fit/Jazz beat out the the Aqua and Prius in October sales. That was the first full month it and the hybrid were available.
Honda Fit Tops Prius in Japan Sales for First Time Since 2011 - Bloomberg

It also got Car of the Year in Japan. So did the previous generations and the CRZ. So this may bode nothing at all.

 

Oh I don't think Honda will overtake Prius market share anytime soon.

Prius liftback is the benchmark hybrid platform (body) that no other car can compete with in US. Competitors can either copy it or settle for distant second place.

 

Honda Fit designed as 'Prius-killer' in challenge to Toyota | The Japan Times

We are talking japan.

 

But too bad we will never see it in USA. Just like most good stuff which Honda does not bring to USA. Honda just hates us.

 

I have a feeling it is not honda punishing us, but that Honda's fit scores very well on the japanese tests, but does not really get much of a boost in epa testing. Honda is bring their newer hybrid drive technology on the civic and accord. Honda shot itself in the foot on the battery issues on the civic, I am not so sure that the fit hybrid would sell well here, but I would like them to bring it over.

 

This is not just hybrids. Honda does not send over the new CTR from Japan/Europe either. Same with diesel cars. American Honda division boss is so boring. As long as his loyal customers keep buying watered down Honda, he does not want to get other goodies that the world gets. Only if Honda becomes the next Isuzu would they change their business model.

 

Honda Fit is B segment, one size class below the Civic which is C segment, will do well even without hybrid tech with 36 mpg combined. 2015 Honda Fit To Have 36-MPG Combined Gas Mileage Rating

 

Very cool, so for japan honda will mainly sell hybrid fits to compete with the aqua (prius c), while they have really pumped up non hybrid fuel economy for the US market. I agree if the difference really is 50 mpg hybrid versus 36 mpg cvt, but the 36mpg is more fun to drive and $3000 less, with america's gas prices the hybrid fit would be a tough sell. It would take 100,000 miles @$4/gallon gas to make up the price difference. I really doubt the hybrid would get 50 mpg epa also.

 

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Honda designs a number of vehicles and then keeps all the good ones for other countries and only sells the ones no one wants in the US.

Mike

 

They're getting back at us for forcing them to make V6's, and not understanding the beauty of smaller displacements.

 

What? No SouthPark episodes with smug Prius drivers in Japan?

 

Hate them back.

....that's what I do.

 

Gas is much more expensive, and acceleration desired by a smaller segment of the population. Add to that it is domestic, and foreign cars aren't bought (soft barriers) you see a much smaller closed market.

Add a $3/gallon gas tax, a yearly federal registration fee that is waived for hybrids, and more choices, and the US would have a much higher percentage of hybrids.

 

.....and a much smaller percentage of democratic lawmakers.

 

I am not advocating we copy the japanese government, they have after all been in recession for decades. I was explaining how their policies have lead to a more pro hybrid attitude, and more hybrids on the road.

I would go for a $40/bbl oil tax with payroll taxes (medicare) reduced after it has paid for highway trust fund. Many left and right analysts think higher gas taxes may be beneficial to the economy as it will reduce the cost of oil price spikes and opec blackmail. Certainly Japanese or European tax levels seem excessive for most americans.

 

I'll buy that.

 

This Fit hybrid is using the new one motor mated to a dual clutch auto transmission hybrid system. The next Civic hybrid should be getting it soon, possibly next year. Right now it is still IMA but with lithium ion batteries.

 

Not sure why this thread was brought back to life, but according to the numbers as of last month, Prius Aqua is still Alive! Focus2move| Japan Car Market - October 2014

 

nice report, thanks!

 

+1

Perhaps this deserves its own thread. Interesting that the 2 and 3 cars are kei cars that probably couldn't pass safety in the us, so the Japanese market not including kei cars is aqua (prius c), fit, prius (liftback)