Modern diesels are a far cry from diesel engines of the past. These days, diesels are cleaner, quieter, and more powerful than before. Sadly, they’re still not popular in the U.S.
Among the brands that are turning their backs on diesels, for now, is Honda. According to Reuters, Honda is abandoning its plans to increase the number of diesel engines in its lineup. Instead, Honda is choosing to bolster the number of hybrid vehicles it offers. Washington Honda Dealers think the focus on hybrids is the direction to go as more people feel comfortable with conventional internal combustion engines, even if mated to an electric motor, than they do any of the other alternative powertrains available on the market, including diesels.
The new report makes sense considering that Honda is said to already be working on an all-new hybrid system that will be suitable for larger vehicles, such as the Pilot or Odyssey. Currently, Honda uses its Integrated Motor Assist technology in the Civic Hybrid and the Insight, as well as the upcoming CR-Z soon to arrive at dealers like New Haven Honda.
Honda appears to be devoting more resources to hybrid technology, which indicates the company is taking aim at hybrid rival Toyota. Although Toyota still leads the pack with its popular Prius, Honda hybrids can travel on electric power alone for longer stretches. Honda Manchester is confident that as Honda fills out it’s hybrid lineup, people will soon no longer associate the word hybrid with Prius and instead think “Honda” when they talk about hybrids.
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