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Honda is expecting that its new Insight hybrid won't meet its sales target because it's to small. That, at least, is the opinion of Honda Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo, who told Bloomberg, "I think we compromised too much on size in pursuing fuel efficiency."
Honda had expected to sell as many as 200,000 units during the Insights first year on the market, but managed only 130,445 in 2009, with sales beginning in the automaker's home market of Japan in February. Honda had expected the car to be a particular success in the U.S., where it had planned to sell 90,000 (almost half) of its Insights worldwide. Instead, Honda managed to move just 20,572 units.
Kondo also admitted that considering the how well the Fit has done in the marketplace and the prohibitive cost of making a hybrid version of the car, it might not look at building a hybrid Fit after all. "Our engineers are really struggling," he said.
Interestingly, Kondo didn't touch on the fact that it might not be the Insight's size, but rather its fuel economy numbers (well, below those of Toyota's Prius), that might be a contributing factor in the car's unpopularity.
Japan's equivalent to the SEMA Show, each year aftermarket companies show off their latest performance and tuning products at the Tokyo Auto Salon.
From the street to the track, companies like Blitz, HKS, JUN, 5Zigen, Volk and Veilside show off their latest products on some of the most wildly modified cars ever made.
And let's not forget the manufacturers. Most major OEMs set up shop at the Tokyo Auto Salon and display new models, concepts and race cars – including some very impressive Super GT cars. Many manufacturers will also use TAS to show off their latest in-house performance goodies, from brands like TRD, Mugen, NISMO and Ralliart.
While many Japanese aftermarket tuners are taking on the newest models including many of them turning towards European applications, J's Racing has stuck to what they know best: Hondas. The company's booth wasn't overwhelmingly large, but it was clear that J's Racing is aware of the new Hybrid-tuning craze, displaying its own version of a tuned Insight, complete with light-weight RAYS wheels, an aero kit, lowered suspension and some nice Recaro seats inside. It even featured a unique combination of decals that gave it a widebody look.
Next to this Insight sat a car that represents the other extreme at Honda, the now out-of-production S2000. This model featured the J's Racing widebody kit that is anything but subtle and has appeared on more than a few cars and more than a few magazine covers on this side of the Pacific.
Tucked away towards the back of Toyota's booth at the 2010 Tokyo Auto Salon was this IS-F CCS Concept that looks to be a lightweight version of the performance-minded sedan. Not much details could be found on this CCS Concept, but we definitely fell in love with the bright orange shade and carbon fiber accents. The hood, trunk, and spoiler were all constructed on carbon fiber while the front bumper and side skirts got a mild trim accent and the rear bumper its own carbon fiber diffuser. A slightly different exhaust system also appears to be a part of the package, as do the light weight wheels. It also doesn't take an expert to see that this IS-F features a significantly lowered suspension.
Looking at the IS-F CCS Concept, we can't help but think of the equally-orange BMW M3 GTS, which debuted recently in Germany as a track-only club racer. Is Lexus thinking of offering a similar model, or perhaps a light-weight street legal version? We certainly hope so.
While Honda has made known plans to squeeze added fuel economy out of its Insight, the Japanese automaker is set to debut a new concept that looks at the sporty side of the hybrid. Called the Insight Sorts Modulo Concept, it is set to debut at the Tokyo Auto Salon later this week.
With the theme of “Exciting Eco” this new concept features some major aerodynamic enhancements, although Honda has yet to release any info on what makes it more exciting.
Additional concepts set to be on display by Honda include the feminine Freed MPV, coated in a shade of purple and with plenty of exterior graphics and custom interior treatments. Finally, a bright yellow Honda Life completes the lineup of concepts.
Along with several other production models, Honda will show off the Civic Type-R Euro. Specially made for the European market, it was so highly praised by the press there, that Honda has decided to offer it to domestic buyers.
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