There has long been a hybrid battle between Honda and Toyota. Unfortunately for Honda fans, Toyota has remained ahead of the curve thanks to the best-selling Prius. Luckily, that may change soon as the next-generation Honda Insight has become a top priority.
While Honda offers several hybrid models to choose from, the 2010 Insight is currently the only standalone hybrid model in the lineup that doesn’t also offer a non-hybrid alternative. From its onset, the Insight has been aimed squarely at chipping away at the Prius’ global market dominance, but sales have been disappointing. With competition heating up in the hybrid passenger car segment it’s important to gain an edge, Liberty Honda Hartford says.
The Insight’s poor performance against the Prius has especially disappointed Honda President Takanobu Ito, who has since challenged Honda’s engineering teams to ramp up development on the Insight’s replacement. While the current Insight has officially undercut the Prius in terms of price, the next-generation will have to out perform the Prius in another key area – mileage.
“I’m not satisfied,” Ito said in regard to American Honda Motor Co.’s 10.1 percent share of the U.S. market in the first quarter.
With Toyota’s recent safety and quality issues, now seems the perfect time for Honda to launch its hybrid offensive. Not only is the new Insight being pushed to the forefront of R&D, but Honda is also working on its new hybrid technology that will likely bring hybrid efficiency to Honda’s larger models, such as the Odyssey minivan. or Pilot crossover.
As hybrids become more popular in the pre-owned market as well, one dealer of certified Honda New Haven expects to see Honda continue its penchant for innovation when it comes to green tech. But, Executive Nissan warns that competition from Japanese, Korean, and domestic brands, will only get tougher in the coming years.
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