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Honda To Market A North American Prius Killer in 2009

Agent009 submitted on 08/13/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 2:34 PM
from: www.autonews.com

[33] user comments | category: Misc News

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Honda To Market A North American Prius Killer in 2009

Honda Motor Co. will launch a five-door, hybrid-only car in April in North America to fight the hot-selling Toyota Prius.

The five-passenger hatchback will be priced below the Prius, Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., said today at the Management Briefing Seminars here.

Honda expects to build about 200,000 of the hatchbacks globally, with about 100,000 targeted for import into North America, Colliver said. Honda has no plans to build hybrids, including the Civic Hybrid sedan, in the United States, he said.
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silver1 - 8/13/2008 3:33:31 PM

+1 Boost

The question is will it look better than the Prius, because the Honda Insight is not too inviting....

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BMW995 - 8/13/2008 3:55:35 PM

+1 Boost

The spy pics are already out on this vehicle. It has the general shape of the Prius, but a little more streamlined. What makes the Honda EV most interesting, however, is the estimated base price of $18.5K.
Reports coming out of Japan state that max fuel mileage is 60 mpg, with an absolute max of 71 mpg reported!

reply to this comment

w209w114 - 8/13/2008 4:51:07 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

Exactly, thats what an economical car should cost. Whats the point of spending $30,000 for a fully loaded prius when in reality all it is, is an economy car (the Camry interior quality kicks the Prius' quality's butt!)full of technology for the purpose of making it more economical but ending at a price double that of an economy car.

In the end the Prius is for posers, and environmentalists. Average people that want "economy" would rather save the exra $12-13,000 and get a real economy car such as a Yaris, Versa, Aveo, etc.

In the end a Prius is highly cost inefficient.

nozferatu - 8/13/2008 4:39:20 PM

-1 Boost

I doubt it'll be a Prius killer. It's not as if Toyota has been twiddling it's thumbs while Honda is making theirs.

reply to this comment

w209w114 - 8/13/2008 4:59:25 PMView My AgentSpace

-3 Boost

Yet another a foolish comment from Jr. nozferatu. At that price of course it will be. Honda has been selling like crazy even in the economic downturn, reporting double digit sales increases and healthy profits white Toyota has been hit, and hit hard.

Toyota has been basking in its own glory and twiddling its thumbs for quite some time now if you havent noticed. That explains why they are heading the way they are today, they arent what they used to be.

Wait until Ford's Euro models arrive in America (Toyota's largest market) I guarantee you that their prescence will be felt accross the auto industry.

I am actually considering buying Ford stock (never thought Id say this) It is predicted that they will be seeing double digit profits by 2011

nozferatu - 8/15/2008 2:00:50 AM

+1 Boost

w209,

Toyota's most successful model as far as upcoming successes go is the Prius...so no, Toyota hasn't been twiddling its thumbs. It's hard at work on the third generation model...but you knew that right?

Where are they headed by the way? You honestly think Toyota is going to get hurt by all this? They've already retooled their factories faster than anyone anticipated.

Honestly...you just blow air out...nothing else. Just your comparison between Ford and Toyota's standing is enough to indicate you have no clue.

Try again.

nozferatu - 8/13/2008 4:39:45 PM

-2 Boost

And if it looks like the spy pics, forget it...it's a very very ugly looking car.

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w209w114 - 8/13/2008 5:03:18 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

Why are you such a hater? Im curious to know what kind of car you really drive.

Ugly? Maybe
Successful? Theres a very very good chance

Honda has been doing just more than fine with their so called "ugly models" If it aint broke, dont fix it.

nozferatu - 8/13/2008 5:48:12 PM

-1 Boost

WTF are you talking about?

Either you're blind or just dense. I never said I hate Honda...I said THAT VEHICLE IS UGLY.

Why are you such a shit-stirrer?

w209w114 - 8/14/2008 1:16:30 PMView My AgentSpace

-1 Boost

It seems you hate every car out there. I figure you must drive a hell of a car to give you the right to smear all the other automakers including the tier 1 brands.

So share with us. What year make and model do you drive?

nozferatu - 8/15/2008 2:02:34 AM

+1 Boost

I hate every car out there? Now you're just another fool acting like a right-wing mouth piece...making crap up that doesn't exist. You sure you don't work for Fox News?

w209w114 - 8/13/2008 5:09:41 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

It looks like it will be carrying a lot of the design theme from the beautiful "FCX Clarity" concept. and thats a VERY good thing.

http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/honda-fcx-clarity.htm

reply to this comment

nozferatu - 8/13/2008 5:49:17 PM

-2 Boost

I think the FCX is a fantastic concept but the design of the car us UGLY. If that is to be Honda's hybrid, then I won't buy a hybrid from Honda...quite simple.

w209w114 - 8/14/2008 1:17:03 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

I like the FCX clarity.

nozferatu - 8/15/2008 2:02:55 AM

+1 Boost

Well..there's no accounting for taste.

Lemonade - 8/13/2008 6:02:42 PM

+2 Boost

Why is every new Hybrid considered a "Prius Killer"? The Prius has already established great strength in the Hybrid market (selling over a million+) while the Honda, Mini Cooper, Ford, Volt, etc have yet to be mass produced. So, Prius Killer? NO! not by a long shot; a Serious contender, YES!. Sure, it may undercut the Prius by price when it comes out, but only the market will decide which way the cookie will crumble.

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Lemonade - 8/13/2008 6:05:23 PM

+1 Boost

Before you German Fanboys get all crazy.. I was talking about the 500 electric Mini Coopers that were supposedly shipped or being shipped to California.

nozferatu - 8/13/2008 6:19:17 PM

0 Boost

I think it's just journalistic bullshit in my opinion. They just like to be dramatic when there's nothing to be dramatic about.

I mean...how many times do we have to a read C&D or MT or R&T with their pathetic "10 CAR SHOOT OUT" tests...over and over and over and over and over again...same shit, different title.

EL34 - 8/13/2008 7:19:36 PM

-3 Boost

A smart person will wait and buy the Chevy Volt.

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IhavearedS2000 - 8/13/2008 8:31:11 PM

+1 Boost

Yea, if and when - still waiting if it actually all comes together for the Volt aren't we? I have more faith in Honda (and Toyota) coming out with something for everyday use than I do from GM. That being said, I hope GM succeeds because it will be a game changer if it works.

Honda will not be a Prius killer when it comes to sales because it will be production limited compared to the Prius. But, performance, efficiency, and value - who will come out on top? Hondas or Toyotas new hybrids? We have to wait and see...

jayr1 - 8/14/2008 12:47:06 PM

+1 Boost

GM has a history of building new vehicles, selling them and then letting the public trouble-shoot them at their own expense and frustration. I have owned 3 new GM cars, the last being the Hummer H3 and every single one of them has had to have major power train components replaced within the first 6 months of ownership. I wanted to buy American but not anymore. I work too hard for my money to give it to companies that don't give a damn about their customers all while paying executive bonuses to their executives while losing money. If this were your business not only would you not pay bonuses, you would replace the executive staff with people that know what they are doing.

toyfan - 8/13/2008 7:50:17 PM

+1 Boost

PRIUS KILLER???
The Prius already sells in the neighborhood of 500,000 world wide, with more plants being planned to build more around the world.
So how is a PLANNED 200,000 suppose to overcome an already 500,000 with more to come?????
Honda is planning a vehicle smaller than the Civic to get aroung 60mpg. The Prius is BIGGER than the Civic and is being redesigned to get around 70-75mpg. Bigger, faster, AND more mpg's!!!! Honda isn't killing anything!!!!!!!

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ceric - 8/13/2008 8:18:12 PM

+2 Boost

Prius is bigger than Civic only in interior volume. Not length, not wheelbase. Prius is based on Corolla chassis. How is that bigger than Civic?
The early spy shots show that the new Honda Hybrid is almost the same shape and size as the current Prius. Honda IMA will always be cheaper than Toyota's HSD. IMA is much simpler to produce. Therefore, pricing it lower than $20K is a very very smart move. Effectively, it under cuts Prius at price while offering the same level of MPG. People will love it.

Star - 8/13/2008 8:43:05 PM

-2 Boost

Oh, the battle of the econoboxes. Sure, I'm running right now to put a deposit on a s**tbox hybrid made in Japan that costs as much as a premium German car. We need diesel cars!

reply to this comment

toyfan - 8/13/2008 9:37:31 PM

0 Boost

ceric, are you serious??? Do you sit under the hood while you drive?????
First off, the Prius is not based on the Corolla!!!
Secondly, the IMA might be cheaper to produce than HSD but if you consider that the current Prius offers more 'passenger space' at a considerable level, offers better performance, also considerably more, and offers better mpg's, how is it not better?!?! And it shouldn't be a surprise that it's cheaper, IT CAN'T DO AS MUCH!!!
The Civic hybrid doesn't accelerate as quickly as the Prius. It's not even close, and it doesn't offer the interior room. I don't know what they're wheel basis are but does it matter if as you stated, the inside is roomier in a Prius? ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?!?!
There's no way a future Honda hybrid will be better at providing those things if they currently can't offer what Toyota does. Toyota's future products will continue to dominate and offer more than Honda's.

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g2ok - 8/13/2008 11:32:04 PM

+3 Boost

I think this will be great for competition between Honda and Toyota hybrids giving us the Camry vs. Accord action. It will make more options available for us. Perhaps the Chevy Volt can be a contender, but I'm not sure from GM's pricing info to date.

I just hope Honda keeps the crazy people responsible for Acura designs away from it. Those Acura designs really worry me to the point I'm afraid it could spill over on the Honda line. That would be a complete disaster.

reply to this comment

g2ok - 8/13/2008 11:40:27 PM

+2 Boost

If the Honda hybrid comes out in 2009 and the Prius in 2010, then Toyota will have a full year to check-out the competition and one up them. Toyota has the long term price and supply advantage since it will be made in the USA. Also, Toyota is working with Matsuhita on battery development so that outcome is a big factor. Maybe Honda buys from them too, just guessing. Anyone know more about this ?

reply to this comment

jayr1 - 8/14/2008 12:50:13 PM

+1 Boost

For what it's worth you can see the new Honda Hybrid at the following link:

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/08/renderings-hondas-hybrid-prius-fighter.html

reply to this comment

Obliv - 8/14/2008 3:56:52 PM

+1 Boost

The Prius killer Honda is a.....Prius! Brilliant!

How can anyone drive those weird looking cars and have a shred of dignity?

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huu76 - 8/14/2008 7:37:06 PM

0 Boost

w209,
Actually, the Prius is ony $27,500 now, the same price as a Jetta TDI. What's the point of spending $27,500 on a diesel when the Prius is better in every way?

What's the point in buying a $60,000 E320 Bluetec when the Camry is easily more efficient. Or a $60,000 M-CDI when an RX400h is easily more efficient and cleaner?

reply to this comment

Star - 8/14/2008 8:36:58 PM

0 Boost

Let's see. The Jetta starts at $22K, is much better looking, a LOT faster, it has about 4 times the amount of torque, is fun to drive, has one of the most advance transmissions in the world , is more economical and it will last twice as long. You are right, why buy it over an ugly, super slow electric tin can like the Prius...

The other comparison you made is even more ridiculous.
Sure, let's compare the pinnacle of engineering and luxury Mercedes with an underengineered, cheaply built pile of s**t like the Camry.

nozferatu - 8/15/2008 2:05:51 AM

0 Boost

Yeah OK...when MB can engineer a hybrid that work's as flawlessly as a Camry or Prius, then you can talk...until then...let's all hail MB for making overweight, oversized, gas-guzzling pieces of shit.

Agent63 - 8/15/2008 9:15:56 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I'm just waiting for Michael Troll Taylor to say something. All his comments are baseless crap. The troll has never sat in a Lexus before. He drives his dad's Camry and that by far is the most luxurious car in the world so in owning one of those badboys it's the definition of luxury.

right..

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