Honda Global Subcompact Hybrid

Description:

Honda has announced that it plans to launch a new, small and affordable vehicle in 2009. There were rumors in the Japanese press and they claimed that the next hybrid of Honda would be a gas-electric model of the Honda Fit subcompact, but the fact is that Honda is planning to a totally new model that will be solely hybrid. According to Honda, there were not planning about Jazz (Fit) hybrid at the moment. They further proclaimed that the gas version of the Jazz has adequate fuel efficiency. They would rather come out with a dedicated hybrid model that will be released in 2009, instead of coming out with a hybrid version of the Jazz. Both these cars will be of the same class, but the models will be different.

Though Honda has kept its lips shut about this new model, details about battery, cost and design are slowly emerging. Spy photos are also emerging that portray unofficial photographs of the new Honda hybrid. Looking at these images one can observe that Honda has made a change of design since introducing the Honda CR-Z concept hybrid. Whereas the CR-Z had a sleek and sporty look the new Honda appears like a Prius Junior. Honda is targeting sales of about 200,000 vehicles worldwide and is planning to cut down on costs to make it affordable, when compared to other like vehicles. This new Honda will be manufactured in Japan and will cost approximately $1,750 to $2,000 more than similar hybrids.

Environmentalists have come down hard on the hybrid SUVs and high performance SUVs. According to them, this is blatant misuse of hybrid technology. The promise of the subcompact hybrids has provided them reason to cheer about. The environmentalists complain that the hybrid technology was aimed to reduce the earth’s pollution, instead all the SUVs released till date are giving more emphasis on speed and size rather than CO2 reducing performances. All these are playing a negative role vis a vis the environment instead of improving it. The standard fuel run Honda costs approximately $14,000 and if Honda can stick to their words and release the hybrid at a premium of $2,000 it will easily beat the Prius by $7,000 or the Civic Hybrid by about $5,000.

As can be observed, Honda seems to be keeping apart its hybrid technology specifically for small sedans. With this approach it is moving in an opposite direction from Toyota who plan to use their hybrid system for both small and large cars. This approach of Honda will also set them apart from General Motors who are employing two types of hybrid systems. A full 2 mode hybrid for trucks and SUVs and a mild hybrid system for small vehicles. At the moment Honda is looking at the whole scenario from a different angle. They are planning to use diesel engines solely for large vehicles whereas the hybrid system will be reserved for small vehicles. There are some other options too which Honda is looking at.