[benjamin]

Cross posting from our news page:
Honda Insight Moves to New Production Facility... and Continues Beyond 2004?
Honda announced yesterday that the company would be transferring the production of its low-volume auto models, including the Insight, to its Suzuka factory starting in mid-2004. Domestic sales have been declining for Honda as the automaker's lineup has been aging, and Bloomberg reports the Tochigi plant will now focus on research and development alongside Honda R&D Co., which is also based in Tochigi. This move will also mean that the Insight, NSX and S2000 will have their bodies, engines and transmissions built in one centralized location. According to Honda, the transfer of low-production vehicles from the Takanezawa plant to the Suzuka plant is taking place in order to increase efficiency, and the decision will also allow the company to cut costs while increasing its R&D efforts. We also couldn't help wondering if the projected inclusion of the Insight in this move should be taken as an indication the car will continue beyond MY 2004.

 

[rschaffrath]

I guess they will have to change the "T" in the VIN to whatever the Suzuka factory's code is.

 

[FinalHeven]

I hope it sticks around, it needs to so I can buy a new one when I finally get some money!

 

[jasshrie]

Looks like it will continue in one shape or another

 

[jasshrie]

.oops.

 

[Margaret_Henke]

Not continued after 2004?

Was the Honda Insight originally scheduled to not be produced after 2004? I was under the impression that the Honda Insight was going to be a very long term commitment by Honda. Does anyone have any further information on this as I would really like to know? Thank you.

 

[Tim Maddux]

AFAIK Honda has never provided official comments on their long-term plans for continued production of the Insight. Dealers have frequently reported having some inside information that production will be discontinued. However, they have reported this every year since 2001, and so I would not trust their reports.

 

[Rick]

Something tells me they will keep it just barely in production simply for the bragging rights. If the post from the temple of vtec is right they will cap production for this year. My guess is they can spend a little, produce about 100 cars for 05 then stop for the rest of the year.

Just a hunch, but if thats what they do it's better for all of us to have cars still in production because it keeps values up some and guarantees parts longer.

 

[AZCivic]

Something tells me they will keep it just barely in production simply for the bragging rights.

There is a very strong possibility this is correct. Right now the Prius is kicking Honda's butt in terms of sales of hybrid 4-door cars, so by continuing production of the Insight, Honda will at least get to retain the crown for highest gas mileage car in the United States. They sold barely 200 NSX's for the last two years, so I wouldn't doubt that they are willing to continue to produce the Insight even if they can only sell 500-1000 or so.

 

[ext1jdh]

I spoke with a dealer today who told me that they just got the color catalog for 2005. He said it included details on the Insight.

I'm trying to get my paws on a particular Insight they have but the owner of the dealership is being a bit stingy. If I get a chance to confirm this or better yet, get scans, I will

 

[Hambone]

I'm kinda torn between wanting the Insight to continue in production for parts reasons (Federal law mandates that when production is stopped on a car sold in the US that the manufacturer continue to supply/produce parts for that discontinued car for at least 10 or 15 years, I can't remember the term), but at the same time, I really like the fact that I drive a car that is fairly rare, attracts attention, and gets stellar gas mileage to boot. I said, in the January 1, 2001 issue of Autoweek magazine, that the Insight "gets the attention of a Ferrari at less that 1/10th of the price", and in many ways, that's as true now as it was when I bought my Insight almost 4 years ago (they used some of my comments in their Owner's Comments section of the AutoFile on the Insight). How many other cars can you say that about? Not too many, especially considering the price range.

So, if the Insight continues in production, but its sales numbers are low, I guess I get both of my wishes met! If not, I hope they build the IMAS in a few years, maybe to coincide with the time when maybe I'll be looking to add another car to my fleet (the fleet is currently only the Insight, and I'm hoping to keep it forever, only "retiring" it to weekend and funtime duties at the point in time when I'm ready to buy another car).

 

[trs]

2005 Insight

I talked to my Honda dealer this morning, and according to his information the Insight will be produced for the model year 2005. I placed my order today.

 

[Holicow]

Congrats! Did they give you any sort of timeline?

 

[trs]

Congrats! Did they give you any sort of timeline?

Not officially, but I figure late October (but I hope sooner)