Honda to Cut Civic Hybrid Costs by 1/3
#1
12-22-2005, 06:18 AM
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,430
Honda to Cut Civic Hybrid Costs by 1/3
PHASING OUT gasoline-only models in place of Hybrids - what a NOVEL and WONDERFUL IDEA !!!
Thanks Honda !!!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?p...f5w&refer=asia
Thanks Honda !!!
Honda Motor Co., the world's second- largest maker of gas-electric cars, said it will cut the excess cost of so-called hybrid system on the Civic by a third within 5 years, as it phases out the gasoline-powered version in some markets including Japan.
The additional cost of using a hybrid system to run Honda's Civic compact car will fall by a third to 200,000 yen ($1,702) each, as development costs are halved, President Takeo Fukui said today. The Civic Hybrid, with a four-month waiting list in Japan, is priced at between 2.2 million and 2.4 million yen.
Honda is relying on hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord, its two best-selling models, to compete with Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius as record gasoline prices spur demand for vehicles that burn less fuel. Tokyo-based Honda may put diesel engines in light trucks in North America, where it sells about 49 percent of its vehicles, Fukui said.
The additional cost of using a hybrid system to run Honda's Civic compact car will fall by a third to 200,000 yen ($1,702) each, as development costs are halved, President Takeo Fukui said today. The Civic Hybrid, with a four-month waiting list in Japan, is priced at between 2.2 million and 2.4 million yen.
Honda is relying on hybrid versions of the Civic and Accord, its two best-selling models, to compete with Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius as record gasoline prices spur demand for vehicles that burn less fuel. Tokyo-based Honda may put diesel engines in light trucks in North America, where it sells about 49 percent of its vehicles, Fukui said.
Last edited by Jason; 12-22-2005 at 09:36 AM.
#3
12-22-2005, 06:45 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
Wow. That really would make the Civic a Prius competitor - a hybrid-only setup. If they pulled that in the US, sales of the Civic Hybrid would shoot up, but overall sales of the Civic would completely tank. America does not share the same mentality as Japan's car buying public. We also don't share their overwhelmingly-urban driving schedule (though of course, that's where the Prius really shines anyway).
#4
12-22-2005, 06:48 AM
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,430
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
No, they sell too many Civics in the USA to take away the gas-only version there.
But "lowering the price" of the hybrids will be a positive move regardless !!!
But "lowering the price" of the hybrids will be a positive move regardless !!!
#5
12-22-2005, 07:30 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
Originally Posted by lars-ss
No, they sell too many Civics in the USA to take away the gas-only version there.
But "lowering the price" of the hybrids will be a positive move regardless !!!
But "lowering the price" of the hybrids will be a positive move regardless !!!
#6
12-22-2005, 07:43 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
It is all about petrol prices and emissions regulations.
Once a person is paying around $200/month just for petrol, FE becomes a leading consideration in which car to buy and drive.
Once a person is paying around $200/month just for petrol, FE becomes a leading consideration in which car to buy and drive.
#7
12-22-2005, 07:57 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
Thats right...I forgot to add that. Sadly, more people who change to driving hybrid's will be more concerned with the short run costs of fuel and fuel economy rather than the long run savings from less GHG's.
#8
12-22-2005, 08:04 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
But, in the end, does it really matter what brings new drivers to the hybrid table? My Dodge Ram Diesel was costing me $100/wk to go to work and back. Now, it's more like $100/mo with my HCHII. When I was driving the truck, I could not have cared less about the noxious emissions coming out the back, but since having the HCH, I recognize that aspect of the change, too, and am rather proud of myself.
So, count me in as one who got the hybrid because of the money, but is proud to be having less of a negative impact on the environment.
Thanks,
Don
So, count me in as one who got the hybrid because of the money, but is proud to be having less of a negative impact on the environment.
Thanks,
Don
#9
12-22-2005, 08:04 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
Makes you wonder if the first hybrid built in America will be a Civic (the hybrid components of the Ford Escape are built by Volvo).
In the next few years, the performance aspect of hybrids could be improved (more cylinder deactivation, moving away from steel frames...)
In the next few years, the performance aspect of hybrids could be improved (more cylinder deactivation, moving away from steel frames...)
#10
12-22-2005, 08:13 AM
Re: Honda to cut Civic Hybrid costs by 1/3
Well, I read two things into this statement...I know one will be true, and I hope the other comes to pass...
- HHS ('Honda Hybrid System', or what they used to term IMA), is a long-term player, and HMC will not abandon it, no matter what 'Yota does down the road, or how many HSD cars it sells compared to HMC.
- HHS / IMA must / will eventually provide motive power from rest, without using the ICE. (yes, I know it contradicts statement #1, to a point). This is the part I'm hoping for.
4 month waiting list in JP...and here, we only need to wait about 6 weeks. What does that say ? Anyone ?
- HHS ('Honda Hybrid System', or what they used to term IMA), is a long-term player, and HMC will not abandon it, no matter what 'Yota does down the road, or how many HSD cars it sells compared to HMC.
- HHS / IMA must / will eventually provide motive power from rest, without using the ICE. (yes, I know it contradicts statement #1, to a point). This is the part I'm hoping for.
4 month waiting list in JP...and here, we only need to wait about 6 weeks. What does that say ? Anyone ?
