- The Fit Hybrid is now on sale in Japan; it arrives in Europe in early 2011.
- In Japan, it starts at the equivalent of $19,370.
- Honda executives still haven't decided whether to sell the car in the U.S.
TOKYO — Honda has begun selling its new Fit Hybrid in Japan, with prices starting from the equivalent of $19,370, positioning it below the automaker's Insight and CR-Z hybrids. The most expensive version, equipped with shift paddles and a navigation system, carries a sticker of $25,585 based on current yen-to-dollar exchange rates.
The hybrid edition of the Fit, which is sold in Europe as the Jazz, was introduced last week at the 2010 Paris Auto Show. Jazz Hybrid sales begin in early 2011.
At a launch event for the Honda Fit Hybrid in Japan, Honda Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo told journalists, "We haven't decided on a U.S. launch.... We will carefully be watching the market situation."
The front-wheel-drive Fit Hybrid is fitted with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, a front-drive electric motor and a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Inside Line says: Honda is being cautious, as company executives are unsure if Americans will pay more for a Fit Hybrid when the regular Fit already has a solid 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway EPA rating. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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dknc says:
12:28 PM, 10/16/2010
I thought Fit Hybrid can go up to 67mpg, as advertised 30km/L. That's double what the gasoline version of the FIt. I just think they don't know how to price it in their line up of cars since the current gasoline Fit is almost the same price. If they price it higher, people would think why not get the insight for a bigger car? If top of the line Fit Hybrid is going to cost $25k. Which also means it will kill the CR-Z. Since last time insight is released first in the U.S. and it is not selling as good as the Pruis which released a bit later, it seems like American people are "waiting" for Toyota to see what they have in store first before comparing. So I agree with aznraptor. However, they should know well enough that the Fit kicks Yaris' ass and there's a trend of people getting the Fit. So who wouldn't want a Fit hybrid over a Yaris hybrid? Plus at this time in the market, if this Fit Hybrid comes in, it would be the best hybrid MPG, and you don't want to wait till Pruis plug in hybrid to get on the menu by 2012. They should have the Fit Hybrid 2011 in the U.S. before any Toyota starts anything "new".
For those who spend 20k on a car and want to get the best MPG, in a economy like this, definitely there's a lot of people wanting this car. Wake up Honda! Ok, fine, currency cost them to have a lower profit margin. Volume!
iskch says:
11:55 AM, 10/11/2010
Fit Hybrid ? Why Honda wasted money in creating a CRZ when the Fit does a better job. I don't understand.
autoadviseorg says:
07:16 AM, 10/11/2010
"I would hope Honda would bring this vehicle to the US but I'm betting that fear of canniablizing sales of the silly CRZ and unpopular Insight gets in the way."
I agree, the fit has a better image than those two cars already and plus, I think it is a little more practical as well.
xorbe says:
01:32 AM, 10/11/2010
Just ship us a Honda Fit with a 6 speed manual and sunroof, and all will be forgiven.
aznraptor says:
08:17 PM, 10/09/2010
I think they messed up their positioning on their recent hybrids. The insight should've been an all out mpg car in the spirit of the original insight, the CR-Z should've been made faster and sportier than the fit with equivalent efficiency, while the fit hybrid should have positioned about where the current insight is. correct me if i'm wrong but the fit isn't much smaller than the insight right?
efinils2 says:
05:58 PM, 10/08/2010
@ohhbobby:
you are going to be waiting for a while...I think the most realistic scenario is Spoon dropping the K20A.
I think cjasis hit it right on the head, as the regular Fit is close to the CR-Z in terms of MPG; thus, that half-as$-hybrid/half-as$-"sporty" car would suffer the most.
jscion says:
04:21 PM, 10/08/2010
Honda should definately bring the Fit Hybrid stateside. The Insight and CR-Z are great products regardless of their sales and the Fit Hybrid is different enough from the Insight and CR-Z to create a market for itself. Maybe if they could knock the price down an extra $500.00-$1000.00 in a stripped down version without all the unnecessary gadgets and gizmo's.
cjasis says:
03:45 PM, 10/08/2010
I would hope Honda would bring this vehicle to the US but I'm betting that fear of canniablizing sales of the silly CRZ and unpopular Insight gets in the way.
ohhbobby says:
02:49 PM, 10/08/2010
It'll probably be one of the most discrete hybrids around, I'm sure Honda will find buyers, specially since it's the best combination of the CR-Z and an Insight. I vote for the green light to the U.S.
P.S. Still waiting on the CR-Z Type R