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Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz)

Report: Honda planning late 2010 launch for Hybrid Fit (Jazz)

Jeremy Weber May 27th, 2009 Jeremy Weber By Jeremy Weber Author May 27th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback. The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new report claims the car is coming and will be on sale by the second half of next year - one and a half years earlier than previously thought. On top of that, Japan’s Nikkei business daily is also reporting that the new CR-Z and Fit hybrids will be joined by a new Civic hybrid by the end of 2012. The key to their success will be the lower costs of their hybrid systems, which in turns means lower price tags for consumers. To keep costs low, Honda engineers have focused on more efficient manufacturing processes for high-cost features such as the batteries and hybrid control modules. Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the carmaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Fit hybrid, but the reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year.2009 Honda Fit
Reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year

Reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year

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Honda's new hybrid strategy is focused on reducing the cost of hybrid components and introducing the fuel-saving technology into new markets, including the ultra-competitive compact car segment. We’ve already seen the first of these low-cost hybrids in the form of the recently launched Insight, and this is likely to be followed by a performance hybrid based on the CR-Z concept car from 2007’s Tokyo Motor Show, as well as a hybrid version of the Fit (Jazz) hatchback.

The Fit Hybrid is especially surprising considering Honda's previously held view that there was no point adding a hybrid option to an already frugal car, but a new report claims the car is coming and will be on sale by the second half of next year - one and a half years earlier than previously thought. On top of that, Japan’s Nikkei business daily is also reporting that the new CR-Z and Fit hybrids will be joined by a new Civic hybrid by the end of 2012.

The key to their success will be the lower costs of their hybrid systems, which in turns means lower price tags for consumers. To keep costs low, Honda engineers have focused on more efficient manufacturing processes for high-cost features such as the batteries and hybrid control modules.

Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando said the carmaker has not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the Fit hybrid, but the reports claim the Fit hybrid will retail for about ¥1.5 million (approximately $15,800) when it goes on sale next year.
2009 Honda Fit
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Tags: Hatchbacks, jazz

Posted in: 2009, Honda, News, Hybrid, Fit


Comments (4 total)

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  1. By chris #1, Posted: 5/21/2008

    oh wow.,.. it wont be here for another 7 years? awesome. won't we be flying then?

    in all honesty, a decent hybrid in a car this small should be interesting. there isnt much room outside of the cabin for a decent battery pack so its not like you'll be able to go very far on a EV alone.

  2. By gojira #2, Posted: 5/21/2008

    That is a looooooooooooooong ways away. Too bad there is no word on an Acura hybrid ...

  3. By chris #3, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Gojira; you can bet your life savings that the honda NSX will have a hybrid rebadged as Acura if lexus puts out an LF-A hybrid.

  4. By Roy #4, Posted: 5/21/2008

    Presumably that means that Honda will introduce a hybrid Fit for the next Fit AFTER the one that's due to launch in the near future. Although the Fit was only introduced in the US relatively recently, this same model has already been available in Japan and the EU for a while, which is why it's being replaced so soon.
    My guess is that they're being driven by consumer demand and have realized that if they can develop one hybrid drivetrain but deploy it in a bunch of cars, they will enjoy some economies of scale...

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