2009 Honda Hybrid Spy Photos
In May 2008, Honda Motor Company published a press release announcing that 2009 will bring a low-cost hybrid car to the US market. There isn’t much detail about the vehicle but everyone’s best bet was that this new lower-priced Honda Hybrid will be based off of the Honda Fit. With new spy photos from Automedia (via WorldCarFans), it looks like the new hybrid is going to be based off of the Honda FCX Clarity previously discussed here on The Green Motorist.
Five Doors and Five Seats
The May press release stated that the car would have five doors and seat five people. I think that technically the Fit seats five but it would be a tight squeeze in the back. The FCX Clarity definitely seats five and the spy photos look surprisingly similar to the FCX Clarity. Even though manufacturers try to cleverly disguise their vehicles, you can only hide the body shape so much.
Honda Motor Company’s Projected Hybrid Sales
According to the May press release published on the Reuters’ website, “Honda expects annual sales of 200,000 for the new hybrid. Total hybrid sales, including the Civic hybrid, a new hybrid version of its popular Fit subcompact and a planned sports car based on the CR-Z concept model, are expected to reach 500,000 vehicles a year after 2010, roughly one-tenth of total sales.”
These sales goals are pretty aggressive – in two years the company expects 10% of its total vehicle sales to be hybrid models. Obviously gas prices aren’t going down but with recent discussion of how long it takes to break even on a hybrid vehicle, are people really going to be forking out the extra $2-$5k+ for a hybrid model?
Honda’s Dedication to the Environment
As a company, Honda has received the honor of being named the “Greenest Automaker” by the Union of Concerned Scientists in both 2007 and 2004. The 2008 Honda Civic GX was named “America’s Greenest Car” by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Honda’s dedication to offering both fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles is apparent in the plans that Honda has for the future as well as the awards that they have won in the past.
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When the photos were first published, the comment most heard is:
“Check it out! A Honda Prius!”
The resemblance to the Toyota hybrid it’s supposed to compete against is uncanny.
You’re right Quincy - it really does look like a Prius. I was focused on comparing it to the FCX Clarity that I totally missed the likeness to the Prius. Honda Prius - LOL!
Honda must have some spies over at Toyota
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