Hybrid car must be always given awards for their efforts save the environment. One of the most wanted hybrid car is Honda Insight. The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle manufacturedby Honda and the first production vehicle to feature Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system. The first-generation Insight was produced from 1999 to 2006 as a three-door hatchback.
Honda Insight getting award for Car of the Year 2009-2010 from Japan Automotive Hall of Fame. This awards from honda’s hybrid varians is fulfill some dream car’s criteria, from the low prices, modern technology with integrated Motor Assist (IMA), and of course friendly environment.
Insight using new i-VTEC 1. 3L hybrid system machine that developed by Honda and IMA (Interates Motor Assist), and also equipped with standard Eco Assist whole type, that helping movement vehicle so more efficient for the user.
“We really proud because Honda Insight is choice to be Car Of the Year in Japan, from others models in market. ” Said President and CEO, Honda Motor Co, Takanobu Ito, official site Honda. In Japan, Insight sell 1. 890. 000 yen. This model get predicate “Best Selling in April 2009. But after that insight doesn’t shinning like they rival Prius in japan market.
This two automotive maker always being rival and both of them get “war” for their hybrid car. Like Honda Insight, when they release their campaign advertisement the hybrid for everyone when launching Insight. “We don’t want make car which don’t totally in market,” said Vice President of advertising and public relations Honda USA Steve Center when launching Insight, last March. He added Insight will be get rival with Toyota Prius. “This car become popular car, but not elite car,”he said. However, until right now selling of Insight in USA unable to compete with Prius.
Honda USA targeted sell 90. 000 units this year and after that revision until 60. 000 units because economic global crisis. But according to Automotive News Data Center the Insight selling since release in last March only reached 17. 530 units until now, under the goal untul end of year, its 25. 000 unit.
The conclusion, after 8 months in US market, Insight doesn’t able to compete with Toyota Prius in segment hybrid car. The comparison is Honda sell one unit Insight for six units Toyota Prius. Compete Inc and Edmunds. com show up Insight don’t inline with consumer for target selling Honda. “Insight created doesn’t for rival with Prius” said Honda Advisor Christina Ra. She added Insight created for teenagers that hobby shopping and become the segment that get impact direct from global economic crisis.
But the selling of Insight can we thumbs up because can rise with other hybrid car like Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima. In fact, Insight and Prius are differet hybrid car. Now if you have to choice? Prius or Insight?
I’m a webmaster. Right now i’m active in writing article in Hybrid Car Reviews.