Tonight, I saw a TV commercial promoting Honda trucks, SUVs and the Element. It had "not-so-macho" theme, claiming "Honda as the most fuel efficient auto-maker".
Frankly speaking, I was depressed
First the Honda Civic Hybrid with manual transmission is eliminated in 2006.
Then the Honda Jazz (offered in Asia and Europe, with >50 mpg FE) is introduced in the US as the overpowered "Honda Fit" with pathetic EPA estimated FE in the mid 30's.
And last but not least, the obsolescence of the Insight in September 2006.
-From a Insight owning marketing professional to the Honda decision makers: Booooo .
For my next auto purchase; 'very seriously considering the "T" word.
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'gonEfishnt
2001 5S, "Sputnik"; Various Modifications; 76.6 LMPG at 75K miles
Seriously, though- I don't think honda is taking the low road... Fit is very comparable to the Scion and also the new Yaris, but has far more features (IMHO). I think if Honda can up the Civic Hybrid's MPG, that would be awesome. That said, I know lots of ppl that have the Civic Hybrid and Prius, and I've noticed that in RL, the Civic Hybrid gets about the same gas milegae as the Prius- in fact, I think Prius' EPA MPG are overestimated while the Civic's EPA MPG are reasonable.
Besides, Pruis is going through a major recall...
I do admit I'm fairly biased, though. I've always prefered Honda's handling, styling and performance over Toyota for the most part.
That's just my 2 cents...
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2006 Silverstone Metallic 5spd Insight
lmpg: 65mpg
best mpg: 84mpg over 45 miles
After the "beating" we as a whole as consumers gave them with abysmal Insight sales figures I personally applaud Honda for staying in the fight so long.
A Honda hyper MPG car may be down but apparently not out. See:
After the "beating" we as a whole as consumers gave them with abysmal Insight sales figures I personally applaud Honda for staying in the fight so long.
Your post made me think. I wonder if Honda ever expected to sell Insights like hotcakes or really cares that they didn't. The purpose of the Insight may have been simply to promote Honda's reputation as one of the leaders of automotive technology, while the Civic/Accord/Odyssey/Pilot/CRV are Honda's bread and butter. Certainly when I think of Honda I think of advanced engineering, superb fit and finish, and reliability, so probably this is the image they wish to project.
In the motorcycle arena, Honda has definitely developed and produced many landmark designs that have not sold well and that Honda has not even made available in large numbers: the RC51 V-twin for example, that each dealer got one of (and my dealer kept for himself!). Or among cars the NSX sports car, or for that matter (to some extent) the S2000.
I don't know, I can't figure honda out! they keep saying things about fuel efficiency, and the CEO always sounds great when he talks, but at the same time they took the new HCH engine improvements (which I was really excited about, it is very cool and innovatove) and put all the extra energy into power, not mileage.
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Honda takes the low road?
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