Comments on: Slow Sales of Honda Insight Give Insight into Hybrid Market http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/ Business, Better. Since 2005 Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: joegoehttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-40452 joegoe Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:22:24 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-40452 The reason the Insight II doesn't sell is price. It is at least $3,000 to expensive. More or less $5,000 more than comparably equipped Fit. They said they had the hybrid premium down to < $2,000 a couple of years ago.<br><br>The Fit could be so much more in the fuel efficiency area with a simple change to taller gear ratios. It worked in the 80's. The reason the Insight II doesn't sell is price. It is at least $3,000 to expensive. More or less $5,000 more than comparably equipped Fit. They said they had the hybrid premium down to < $2,000 a couple of years ago.

The Fit could be so much more in the fuel efficiency area with a simple change to taller gear ratios. It worked in the 80's.

]]> By: joegoehttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-25823 joegoe Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:22:24 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-25823 The reason the Insight II doesn't sell is price. It is at least $3,000 to expensive. More or less $5,000 more than comparably equipped Fit. They said they had the hybrid premium down to < $2,000 a couple of years ago.<br><br>The Fit could be so much more in the fuel efficiency area with a simple change to taller gear ratios. It worked in the 80's. The reason the Insight II doesn't sell is price. It is at least $3,000 to expensive. More or less $5,000 more than comparably equipped Fit. They said they had the hybrid premium down to < $2,000 a couple of years ago.

The Fit could be so much more in the fuel efficiency area with a simple change to taller gear ratios. It worked in the 80's.

]]> By: NickMhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23198 NickM Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:21:28 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23198 Italy sales 2009 (from january to november):<br><br>Insight 3738<br>Civic Hybrid 142<br>Toyota Prius (II + III) 2072<br><br>In Italy, Prius costs 6.000 Euro more than Insight ! Italy sales 2009 (from january to november):

Insight 3738
Civic Hybrid 142
Toyota Prius (II + III) 2072

In Italy, Prius costs 6.000 Euro more than Insight !

]]> By: Car Smart » Blog Archive » Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one?http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23120 Car Smart » Blog Archive » Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? Fri, 01 Jan 2010 01:20:19 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23120 [...] though it costs less?What does a lack of Insight sales mean for the future of the hybrid market?Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a [...] [...] though it costs less?What does a lack of Insight sales mean for the future of the hybrid market?Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a [...]

]]> By: EDhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23086 ED Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:28:50 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23086 I can usually get a bit above 50 mpg on the highway going about 70 mph, unless it's super windy or I'm climbing the whole way. I can usually get a bit above 50 mpg on the highway going about 70 mph, unless it's super windy or I'm climbing the whole way.

]]> By: Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? | Textiohttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23079 Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? | Textio Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:17:32 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23079 [...] Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a green message. [...] [...] Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a green message. [...]

]]> By: Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? | Fisker Karma Bloghttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23072 Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? | Fisker Karma Blog Wed, 30 Dec 2009 21:40:21 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23072 [...] Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a green message. [...] [...] Some have suggested that most hybrid buyers aren’t looking for bargains. Instead, they are seeking to send a green message. [...]

]]> By: Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? » Hybrid Newshttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23071 Honda Insight sales slump: There can be only one? » Hybrid News Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:54:15 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23071 [...] S&#111me h&#97ve &#115&#117gge&#115ted that &#109ost hy&#98&#114id &#98uye&#114s a&#114en’t looking fo&#114 &#98a&#114gains. Instead, they a&#114e seeking to send a g&#114een &#109essage. [...] [...] S&#111me h&#97ve &#115&#117gge&#115ted that &#109ost hy&#98&#114id &#98uye&#114s a&#114en’t looking fo&#114 &#98a&#114gains. Instead, they a&#114e seeking to send a g&#114een &#109essage. [...]

]]> By: GEhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23038 GE Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:33:09 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23038 JUST CURIOUS WHAT KIND OF MILEAGE YOU ARE GETTING WITH YOUR INSIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR AVERAGE SPEED? JUST CURIOUS WHAT KIND OF MILEAGE YOU ARE GETTING WITH YOUR INSIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOUR AVERAGE SPEED?

]]> By: EDhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23035 ED Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:23:30 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23035 I'm in the gen-y market Honda was targeting, and I bought one. I don't regret my purchase, AND I get much higher mpg than epa. I was going to get a fit, but then decided I could go up a little bit more in price and get the Insight. The jump from the Fit to the Prius was just too much. I'm in the gen-y market Honda was targeting, and I bought one. I don't regret my purchase, AND I get much higher mpg than epa. I was going to get a fit, but then decided I could go up a little bit more in price and get the Insight. The jump from the Fit to the Prius was just too much.

]]> By: Vladanhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23031 Vladan Tue, 29 Dec 2009 07:27:06 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23031 Hybrid cars will stays as a "luxury" market. You "pay" the fact that there are 2 engins in the car, so the expenses are more important than in classic car. The time will change with full electric cars, with sufficient range which will cost cheaper too... Hybrid cars will stays as a “luxury” market. You “pay” the fact that there are 2 engins in the car, so the expenses are more important than in classic car. The time will change with full electric cars, with sufficient range which will cost cheaper too…

]]> By: Whyknot1http://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-23017 Whyknot1 Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:06:06 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-23017 The hybrid market would take off like a rocket if someone out there created a quality hybrid in the $10-15,000 range with great financing offered. Pipe dream? Well, then, when gas becomes pricey, coupled with a recession, people won't be buying anything. The hybrid market would take off like a rocket if someone out there created a quality hybrid in the $10-15,000 range with great financing offered. Pipe dream? Well, then, when gas becomes pricey, coupled with a recession, people won't be buying anything.

]]> By: TEDhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-22971 TED Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:01:00 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-22971 I predict Toyota will prove there IS a market for less expensive hybrids when they start selling their hybrid system in smaller (Yaris?) size vehicles. I would also be interested in a hybridized Fit, if the price premium was no more than $2,000 for the powertrain. I predict Toyota will prove there IS a market for less expensive hybrids when they start selling their hybrid system in smaller (Yaris?) size vehicles. I would also be interested in a hybridized Fit, if the price premium was no more than $2,000 for the powertrain.

]]> By: unknownhttp://www.triplepundit.com/2009/12/slow-sales-of-honda-insight-give-insight-into-hybrid-market/comment-page-1/#comment-22966 unknown Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:31:45 +0000 http://www.triplepundit.com/?p=22956#comment-22966 First off the Insight is not really that much cheaper than the 2010 Prius. The base modle of the Insight does not come equipped with the same safety features(Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control) as the base (trim 2) Prius. If you want to drive a car that doesn't have this I hope you live in a dry hot climate. Then there is the fact that if you are financing the entire amount of the cars then the EX insight & the Prius II price difference is covered by the Prius's advantage of more mpg. If Honda wanted to steal some Prius customers then they should have found a way to come in a lot lower. The Insight costs slightly less. The Insight gets less mpg's. The Insight is worth less & is worthless in my opinion. I think I remember reading how the drivetrain for the Insight was the same length as the Fit. So why not put it in the Fit save money by using the existing frame & pass those savings onto the consumer? If the Insight EX was priced a few thousand less than the 2010 Prius II then there might have been justification for calling it a "cheaper" hybrid. The Ford Fusion Hybrid/Civic Hybrid/any other sedan hybrid model is not in this discussion because they are not dedicated hybrids nor are the cost effective. Why pay more for less? First off the Insight is not really that much cheaper than the 2010 Prius. The base modle of the Insight does not come equipped with the same safety features(Vehicle Stability Assist with Traction Control) as the base (trim 2) Prius. If you want to drive a car that doesn't have this I hope you live in a dry hot climate. Then there is the fact that if you are financing the entire amount of the cars then the EX insight & the Prius II price difference is covered by the Prius's advantage of more mpg. If Honda wanted to steal some Prius customers then they should have found a way to come in a lot lower. The Insight costs slightly less. The Insight gets less mpg's. The Insight is worth less & is worthless in my opinion. I think I remember reading how the drivetrain for the Insight was the same length as the Fit. So why not put it in the Fit save money by using the existing frame & pass those savings onto the consumer? If the Insight EX was priced a few thousand less than the 2010 Prius II then there might have been justification for calling it a “cheaper” hybrid. The Ford Fusion Hybrid/Civic Hybrid/any other sedan hybrid model is not in this discussion because they are not dedicated hybrids nor are the cost effective. Why pay more for less?

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