January 9, 2009. Copyright 2009, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Honda's low cost Insight hybrid takes a bow in Detroit
By Neil Winton

LONDON, January 9, Graphic News:  Who'd be in the auto business?

Six months ago the price of gasoline in America was more than $4 a gallon, and buyers were shunning gas-guzzling SUVs. Green, fuel-sipping petrol-electric hybrids were all the rage. Now the price of fuel has dived by more than 60 percent to about $1.60, and Honda is about to launch its new, fuel-efficient Insight hybrid at the annual Detroit Car Show. The timing could be better.

Vehicle sales in America have been plunging because of the credit crunch and economic recession, but sales of hybrids, which combine a gasoline (petrol) engine and electric motor, have been falling even faster. U.S. market researcher Autodata said regular car sales fell nearly 40 percent in 2008 compared with 2007, but hybrid sales, led by the Toyota Prius, plunged more than 50 percent. Buyers, shocked by the prospect of job losses, are unwilling to pay the extra $3,000 to $5,000 for a hybrid.

So Honda must be crossing its fingers when it unveils the new Insight in Detroit. Honda introduced the original Insight hybrid in 1999. This was a 2-seater, because the batteries were so big they took up most of the rear space. The new Insight has five doors and room for five people. Its styling resembles the futuristic-looking fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity. It will achieve similar fuel efficiency to the Civic Hybrid, but at a significantly reduced price.

"The Insight will be significantly lower in price to any other hybrid on the market, making petrol-electric technology accessible to more people", says Honda. It won't be revealing price or specification details until the car is launched.

The Insight doesn't take hybrid technology much further. That comes next year with the introduction of plug-in hybrids which have extended battery range and can be recharged at your house overnight. The Insight is expected to use a "mild" hybrid system to enhance the 1.3 litre petrol engine, as used in the Civic. "Strong" hybrids used by the Prius allow a limited amount of separate, battery-only powered driving. Honda is also introducing the ECO Mode, which monitors the engine and gearbox to help drivers maximise fuel use. It incorporates a guidance function using colours on a dashboard screen to signal when the car is being driven economically. Naturally, the screen turns green when the driver is saving the most fuel.

The Detroit Car Show is likely to be a sombre affair this year, with the threat of bankruptcy hanging over General Motors and Chrysler. Some major players like Nissan and Porsche have decided not to appear. Don't expect to see much of the usual flamboyance.

There will be other new models at the show though, as manufacturers grit their collective teeth and hope for better weather. Mercedes is unveiling its new mid-range E-class luxury car, Toyota will show the new Prius, while Ford will take the wraps off its new large family car, the Taurus, which will incorporate much of Ford Europe's big-selling Mondeo.
/ENDS