[nemystic]

I guess this is confirmation of what we all knew would happen sooner or later.
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/a ... LATESTNEWS

Perhaps the silver lining in this cloud is that our prized posessions will soon be collector's items.

Let's hope Honda comes up with something good for the next generation, hopefully not in the direction of the HCH, which is no longer available with a manual transmission.

 

[b1shmu63]

OK, that does sound official, but Honda USA predicted the same last year (incorrectly it seems) and created a stir at that time.

 

[dan]

I think it is real this time.



(bump)

 

[Dezoris]

They planned on continuing it but when you have a factory tied up for a model that only sells 300 units every 3 months it's not good business.

My only worry is parts availibilty. It is bad now, but will be worse, in a few years.

 

[b1shmu63]

Honda generally replaces a model after 4 years. I understood that they planned to stop production but continued it for North America because people were still ordering them inspite of zero promotion. You can find rumours for every theory, but only Honda really knows what is said behind closed doors and what their reasoning is.

I owned a 1980 Prelude, loved it, sold it in running condition after 13 years to buy my 1989 CRX. Both models were great. Both were discontinued. I've seen 1980 Preludes around here so I suspect parts are available for them. No problem getting parts for the CRX.

 

[psuinsight]

It will be a shame if Honda stops production of the Insight. I am very glad I got mine while the getting was still an option. I guess we will be the proud owners of a scarce collector car in a few years, which can only add to the value of our already valuable cars. As far as Honda's rationale, who knows what strange reasoning may be at work in the corporate mind.

 

[b1shmu63]

I'm really hoping that these "rumors" are unfounded, or that if true Honda reverses their decision, but as my brother says the Insight is already a classic.

 

[Infidel]

The saddest part about all this is that the Insight is the *ONLY* manual transimission hybrid money can/could buy. Also, given today's draconian emmisions regulations, I don't see another lean-burn capable vehicle anytime soon.

My last tank was 1150 miles @97.2mpg. I get the feeling we won't see a vehicle with such raw potential for a LONG time.

RIP

 

[florida_gators]

Mark my Words (or so I hope :? )

We will be once again surprised when Honda annouces it 2007 product line. Taking into account the current fuel prices, growing popularity of hybrids, and Toyota's leap and bounds in hybird development, one of two things will happen.

1. The Insight will be produced in 2007 (after Honda creates a current buying frenzy by currently announcing plans to discontinue it).

2. Another hybrid will be released that will be even better than the Insight.

If this does not happen, then in my opinion Honda has fallen behind the curve in hybrid development, and I will be very surprised and disappointed.

 

[ElectricTroy]

They planned on continuing it but when you have a factory tied up for a model that only sells 300 units every 3 months it's not good business.

Not true. That same factory is also used for Honda/Acura's $50,000 aluminum sports car (the RSX?), so it gets well-utilized all year-round. No waste of capital or equipment from a business perspective.

IMHO now is the *wrong* time to be ending a 70mpg car.
Gas prices have skyrocketed from $1 to $3 a gallon.
Now is the time to *increase* production.

Perhaps add a second 4-seat version of the Insight to appeal to families. I think Honda's making a poor business decision, and losing out on a potential big seller with people desiring to save $$$ off high gas prices.

 

[gatornail]

It's true that the same factory produces the Acura NSX, but Honda announced the retirement of the NSX a whole back, so the factory can be used to produce more of one car rather than small amounts of two.

 

[Fred]

I guess this is confirmation of what we all knew would happen sooner or later.

For those of you with BLUE Insights, there's a really good photo/jpg of a blue Insight at the web page mentioned my "nemystic."

Fred

 

[SeanW]

Perhaps the silver lining in this cloud is that our prized possessions will soon be collector's items.

Does this mean that I now own two?

Classic Cars

8)

 

[Berk]

Droping the Insight line???

Any way you look at it, the Insight is a viable market line!

1) Baby boomers are middle aged +, and many are looking for a flashy mid-life crisis, sports car. The Insight fits that bill.

2) Gas prices are driving buyers to the economy market. Insight, again.

3) With agressive marketing the public will buy *anything* - lookit SUV's!

4) This line is already tooled up - start-up costs are already expended.

5) Demand is there, if there's product available to fill it.

With these market no-brainers, how can anyone make a sound decission to drop the Insight line? Or, do we need to look between the lines to discover other unspoken reasons to bury this gem?

Could someone else buy the tooling & rights, and continue production?
There's got to be a way to prevent the demise of this vehicle. The sales should be blossoming, not bottoming! What gives here?

Anyone? Berk

 

[sjones]

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Takanezawa Plant closing?

Either way, I agree it seems a little too soon. I see a tonne of Prius cars everyday, but that doesn't really compare. honda.co.jp cites the Takanezawa Plant closing + the Civic Hybrid of why the model has been retired.

 

[b1shmu63]

I hope that the Insight will be revived at some time in the future. I believe when Honda needs to demonstrate a radical new design such as a car that can achieve 150 miles to the gallon at highway speeds it will.

Honda is currently developing new engines that will burn more efficiently. These will achieve more than lowering weight by using aluminum in the body and will be patentable. They will produce Insight like mileage with vehicles as large as an Accord and probably styled like the new Honda FCV. In the race to implement these technologies, sustaining wonderful projects like the Insight can not be justified. The Insight was a money pit for Honda from a production perspective, even though it was a gold mine from a technical perspective. (Innovations such as electric steering, integrated exhaust manifold, IMA system, Roller rocker arms, 0W20 oil, distributed ignition coils, and advanced aerodynamics, are now becoming standard on other Honda models.) 8)

 

[ElectricTroy]

I hope that the Insight will be revived at some time in the future. I believe when Honda needs to demonstrate a radical new design such as a car that can achieve 150 miles to the gallon at highway speeds it will.

The only way that could happen (without cheating) is with a diesel engine married to an IMA.

I like that idea.

 

[Insightful Trekker]

Hmmm,

Seems I remember statements from people back in teh 70's that should have been "in the know", that a 70MPG production car would be all but "impossible".

 

[ElectricTroy]

Honda made a 70 mpg car in the 70s. (I've been told.) So anyone saying it was impossible must have been blind. :lol:
.

I suppose if you copied VW's 2-seat 250 MPG diesel prototype, but instead used a gasoline engine, you MIGHT be able to get 150 mpg out of it.

But I don't really think of that as a "car". Not the traditional style like an Insight or Civic, which I think is what the previous poster was talking about.

Also Diesel is so much more energy-efficient (~50% vs. ~40%). That's why Honda's bringing a diesel civic in 2008, because of its obvious advantages. Why waste time with the less-efficient gasoline plant?

 

[b1shmu63]

Honda is building Diesels because people are buying Diesels, especially in Europe. Many people feel more comfortable with a technology that has been proven in cars for decades.

Honda is currently working on compression ignition engines. If successful they could double the efficiency of the internal combustion engine Therein rests my claim for the 150 MPG Insight.

However, even without the new engine, A new Insight could be made dramatically more efficient:

1. Reduce the engine size by half, reducing all related frictional losses.

2. Triple the size of the IMA.

3. Use lithium batteries to reduce weight.

4. Improve aerodynamics.

5. Manage engine and intake temperatures better. (insulation and coolant thermos like Prius)

6. reduce current consumption of the IMA and other computer systems.

7. use LED lighting.

8. Add exhaust energy recovery.

9. Allow autostop at higher speeds.

10. Add a second clutch between the engine and transmission.