Reduction in component size and manufacturing costs improve affordability
TOKYO, May 21 /CNW/ - Honda released additional details regarding its new
small hybrid car scheduled for introduction early next year, as part of the
mid-year address by Takeo Fukui, Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Co.,
Ltd. The official product name and full product details will be announced
later this year.
In addition to weight reduction, a significant cost reduction in Honda's
Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) components will result in the most affordable
hybrid vehicle to date. This dedicated hybrid vehicle will be offered as a
5-door hatchback with seating for five passengers and will employ an exterior
design concept that evokes the Honda FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle.
"Honda has been at the forefront of hybrid development since first
introducing the Canadian public to hybrid technology with the launch of the
Honda Insight in 1999," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president of
Honda Canada Inc. "New advancements in Honda's technology and production
systems are resulting in cost reductions that will allow us to make hybrid
technology available to a new generation of Canadian car buyers at a more
affordable price."
The new small gasoline/electric hybrid vehicle, to be produced at an
expanded IMA production line at Honda's Suzuka factory in Japan, will have
expected annual global sales of 200,000 units per year. Of that number,
approximately 100,000 will be sold in the North American market.
Following this launch, Honda also plans to introduce another unique small
hybrid vehicle based on the CR-Z sports car concept, first shown at the 2007
Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a Honda Fit hybrid model. Including the
Civic Hybrid, these four gasoline-electric hybrid cars are expected to reach
combined annual global sales of about 500,000 units.
Featuring seating for five passengers, distinctive styling and high-value
amenities, the new hybrid will present an appealing package. Taking advantage
of component size reductions, the battery and the internal processing unit
will be positioned below the rear cargo area, allowing the hatchback design to
provide adequate cargo space for the needs of a family.
Various technologies, including an innovative function to assist more
fuel-efficient driving, are being applied to achieve a further improvement of
practical fuel efficiency. Honda's new small hybrid car is designed to be
offered at an affordable price and will represent the best value for Canadians
in its segment.
The new hybrid will be produced at a newly developed second IMA
production line at Honda's Suzuka factory, which currently produces the
Civic Hybrid. With a second line and production improvements, hybrid
production capacity at Suzuka will increase from 70,000 vehicles per year to
nearly 250,000 units, with future expansion possible if needed.
Honda is committed to offering products with the highest environmental
performance produced at factories with reduced environmental footprints. A
leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products,
Honda introduced the first low-emission vehicles; North America's first
gas/electric hybrid car (Insight); and the world's first EPA-certified
hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, among other environmental achievements.
Honda is a leader in the development of leading-edge technologies to
improve vehicle fuel efficiency and reduction of CO(2) emissions, including
advanced gasoline engines, gasoline-electric hybrids, natural gas-powered
engines and hydrogen fuel cells.
For further information: Richard Jacobs, (416) 287-4708
