Honda Jazz Hybrid spotted in Taiping, launch on March 15

UPDATE: Reader Prebetsabu sent in a shot of the Jazz Hybrid on display at a Honda showroom in PJ - www.paultan.org

It’s no secret that the next hybrid car to be launched here will be the Honda Jazz Hybrid – we have already received the event invites and will bring you full details of the car this Thursday. But for now, let’s have one last round of spyshots before the car makes its official debut.

Reader Rui Hao was caught in a jam on a rainy March 12 evening, and in the gridlock heading towards Taiping town (in Perak, for those who don’t know), he spotted this truck ferrying four units of the Jazz Hybrid.

Like our last series of spyshots, we see only green and sliver coloured units here, so perhaps these are the only colour options for the car. The Lime Green metallic colour you see here is the model’s signature hue.

Source;

http://paultan.org/2012/03/13/honda-jazz-hybrid-spotted-in-taiping-launch-on-march-15/

Honda Fit hybrid will be the cheapest on the market

When the hybrid version of Honda Motor Co.’s Fit compact car starts selling this October, it will be priced at about 1.59 million yen ($18,600), making it the lowest-priced hybrid in Japan, according to reports from the Tokyo Shimbun and Mainichi Shimbun newspapers.

In recent months, hybrid vehicles have gained popularity due to Japanese subsidies on green-car purchases. However, the subsidies are set to end next month – likely leading to a price war with rival Toyota Motor Corp. Honda’s Hybrid Fit is priced about 300,000 yen less than its other hybrid model, the Insight. The Shimbun daily pointed out that the hybrid will be priced about 400,000 yen higher than Fit’s gasoline-powered version.

Source;
http://www.4wheelsnews.com/honda-fit-hybrid-will-be-the-cheapest-on-the-market/

2012 Honda FIT/Jazz Hybrid caught Testing in Germany

No official word on whether or not this will land on our shores here in North America....
NEW SPY PHOTOS obtained today reveal that development of the upcoming 2012 Honda Jazz Hybrid continues apace.

Joining the new CR-Z and Insight hybrids, the Jazz Hybrid - to be sold overseas as the Fit Hybrid - is expected to use a powertrain based on the Insight's 1.3 litre petrol engine and 10kW electric motor.

With the Jazz already a frugal car, achieving 6.4 l/100km, success will perhaps lie in the lower development and production cost of Honda’s hybrid systems compared to other manufacturers.

If these new spy photos are anything to go by, the styling of the Jazz Hybrid is unlikely to differ greatly from the regular petrol-powered model, the most likely changes to be to the grille and bumpers.

Honda Spokesperson Akemi Ando told Japan's Nikkei last year that the manufacturer does not yet have a specific launch date or price for the Jazz hybrid, but the newspaper estimates Honda’s diminutive hybrid will sell for around AU$20,000 in Japan.

The Fit Hybrid will be the third of three new Honda mild hybrid models that join the long-running Civic Hybrid, now in its seventh model year.

The 2012 Fit Hybrid will presumably use a powertrain similar to that of the 2010 Honda Insight, which includes a 1.3-liter engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor.

Sales of the 2010 Honda Insight subcompact hybrid have been a disappointment, perhaps because at a base price of $19,800 before delivery, it costs $5,000 more than the 2010 Fit, which has more room inside and a more versatile interior.

Last year, Honda sold a total of 15,119 Civic Hybrids and 20,572 Insights in the U.S. market. That was less than half the number of Insights it hoped to sell, indicating that buyers may not see the Insight as a notable improvement over the Fit.

After the Insight comes the 2011 Honda CR-Z, a sporty hybrid two-seater that uses a larger 1.5-liter motor for better performance.

The CR-Z's stated performance isn't stellar, with 0 to 60 mph times of 9.7 seconds, and projected fuel economy ratings of 36 mpg city, 38 mpg highway with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

The Fit Hybrid follows the CR-Z, as either a 2011 or 2012 model, though whether it makes it to the U.S. is another question.

The 2010 Honda Fit is a low-priced car in the States, whereas it's sold as a family vehicle in some Asian and European regions.

Several weeks ago, Honda executives said the value proposition for the Fit Hybrid would be a challenge. Perhaps it would do better in its home market, where the CR-Z is already smashing sales projections.

Source(s);
http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1043734_spy-shots-show-honda-fit-hybrid-testing-but-is-it-for-u-s
http://www.themotorreport.com.au/50075/2012-honda-jazz-hybrid-spied-testing

Honda FIT Hybrid *Update*

It's not much, but it's something....
....the long-expected Honda Fit Hybrid, Kondo said:
"There are plenty of people who think that the current Fit meets their needs already [when it comes to fuel efficiency]... a hybrid version might seem expensive. Our engineers are really struggling."

Source;
http://green.autoblog.com/2010/01/30/honda-insight-too-small-likely-to-miss-sales-targets-fit-hy/

2011 Honda FIT Hybrid

Well, here's another Burlapp special, again, I don't know how he gets these, but hats off to him.

Source;
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/09/2011-honda-fit-hybrid.html

Honda throws down green car gauntlet

Honda Motor is stepping up its “green car” challenge to Toyota, adding two petrol-electric hybrid vehicles to its line-up next year, including a hybrid version of its top-selling Fit sub-compact.

Takanobu Ito, Honda’s chief executive, said the Japanese carmaker was also developing a more powerful hybrid drive for larger vehicles that will use two electric motors alongside its petrol engine, the same configuration used in Toyota’s dominant Prius hybrid.

Honda has emerged this year as Toyota’s most serious rival in low-emission vehicles. Its Insight hybrid, revived after a three-year production hiatus, has been a hit, particularly in Japan, where it was briefly the best-selling full-sized car before being eclipsed by the newest version of the Prius.

Honda’s decision to launch a hybrid version of the Fit extends its strategy of competing primarily on price.

The car, which is called the Jazz in Europe and some other regions, will use the Insight’s single-motor hybrid drive, which is cheaper to build but less powerful or fuel-efficient than Toyota’s two-motor system.

The Fit is likely to be the most affordable hybrid yet, a distinction now held by the Y1.89m ($20,400) Insight. Mr Ito said Honda would begin selling the car in Japan by the end of next year, but did not give a timetable for an international roll-out.

Honda’s other planned hybrid offering, the small CR-Z concept sports car, is to go on sale domestically in February and will also use the single-motor drive.

Honda is hoping to increase hybrid sales to 500,000 hybrid cars a year early in the next decade, equivalent to 15 per cent of its current sales volume.

“We want to transfer the Insight’s affordable hybrid technology to other models as quickly as possible,” said Mr Ito, who took over as Honda chief executive last month.

Toyota plans to launch four new hybrids in Japan and three overseas next March, and has said it wants to offer hybrid versions of all its cars by 2020.

Honda has also been working on “clean diesel” systems and has built a prototype hydrogen fuel-cell car, the FCX Clarity, which it began leasing to a handful of customers in California last year.
Mr Ito suggested Honda was now more firmly focused on hybrids, saying it was “struggling” to make heavy diesel engines cheaply and that the infrastructure needed to process and distribute hydrogen “isn’t moving forward”.

He said he wanted to turn Honda, whose earnings have held up better than most carmakers’ during the slump, into an even leaner and more flexible operation. Honda will use more locally made parts in cars it sells in China, India and other emerging markets, he said, in order to keep costs down and compete with local rivals, and will reduce the number of domestic-only models it sells in Japan.

Source;
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/42f0aa7a-6f99-11de-bfc5-00144feabdc0.html

Honda confirms production of CR-Z, Fit Hybrid in 2010

Honda to Begin Sales of Two More Hybrid Models in 2010

TOKYO, Japan, July 13, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z sporty hybrid model in February 2010 and Fit Hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models, which leverage the unique characteristics of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency. In addition, Honda is currently developing a new hybrid system which is intended to be installed on mid- to large-size vehicles.

Honda also announced that, in addition to the No. 1 line at its Suzuka Factory, the production of Insight also began on Suzuka's No. 3 line in mid-June 2009, leveraging Honda's flexible production system.In order to continue contributing to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda will continue to focus on research and development of technologies which improve fuel-efficiency and strive to deliver products with improved environmental performance to as many customers as possible by making such products more accessible to all people.

The CR-Z concept vehicle made its world debut at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2007. The CR-Z sporty hybrid will feature advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle's environmental footprint.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/13/honda-confirms-production-of-cr-z-fit-hybrid-in-2010/

Honda considering two lower-cost hybrids

With news coming in that Honda isn't selling nearly as many Insight hybrids in the U.S. as it would like, it would seem the Japanese automaker could go one of a few different directions. It's possible that Honda could reverse course on hybrids and focus instead on incremental improvements to its already excellent line of internal combustion engines. Alternatively, Honda could double down on its hybrid program and commit to more models and development. It's this latter path that the automaker seems to favor.

According to a report in the Asahi Shimbun newspaper in Japan (via Green Car Advisor), Honda President Takeo Fukui says the automaker is working on two new hybrids that would cost less than the Insight's already low $19,800 starting price. We've already heard about the planned Fit Hybrid, but we'd be a bit surprised if the second low-cost model were the upcoming CR-Z hybrid hatchback, which is expected to join Honda's lineup as a 2011 model.

Source;
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/06/17/honda-considering-two-lower-cost-hybrids/

Honda UK: Honda Jazz/FIT gets hybrid power

This bodes well for us in North America, this could mean it's only a matter of time....
Honda will be boosting its hybrid line-up in 2010 with a petrol-electric Jazz.

The world’s first hybrid supermini will be powered by the same mechanicals as the forthcoming Insight hatchback.

That means a 1.3-litre petrol engine, augmented by an electric motor. In a car the size and weight of the Jazz that should translate into some spectacular economy and CO2 emissions. Expect around 80mpg and 90g/km CO2 emissions.

Honda is hoping that a hybrid Jazz will help it reach its target of selling 500,000 hybrids per year. It will be the company’s third hybrid after the Insight, due to go on sale next March, and the CR-Z coupe, which is arriving in 2010.

Source;
http://autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Honda-Jazz/236673/

Honda FIT Hybrid Not Coming to North America

Over the past year, Honda officials have spoken extensively about plans for hybrid vehicles to be added to the lineup. Starting next spring, a new hybrid-only five door hatchback that looks like a scaled down version of the FCX Clarity will debut at a price expected to be less than $19,000. That will be followed by a second dedicated hybrid coupe based on the CR-Z concept. The Civic hybrid will also be staying in the U.S. lineup. What U.S. buyers won't be getting is a fourth model that has been mentioned by CEO Takeo Fukui. Honda will add its IMA hybrid system to the Fit, but only for the Japanese market. During the recent media drive of the new 2009 Fit, I asked spokesman Sage Marie when the Fit hybrid would be arriving. Marie explained that because of supply constraints of the Fit, there were no current plans to bring the hybrid model to the U.S. Much like the MINI Cooper D that is already selling at capacity, Honda is selling every existing Fit it can get, and adding another variant wouldn't likely help the business case. American buyers have shown a preference for a dedicated hybrid and Honda plans to attack that segment with two new cars in 2009.

Source; (Honda)
http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/08/22/honda-fit-hybrid-not-coming-to-the-us/

4 Hybrids and 2 Diesels on the Way for Honda

2009 Honda FIT (2011 FIT Hybrid?!?) Nice.
Honda CRZ.
The Global Honda Hybrid, incorrectly termed 2010 Insight.
2010 Honda Stream/Latitude.

Honda seems to be the only major automaker making it through the tough times of high gasoline prices and for the future the Japanese automaker plans to keep doing what its doing - keeping compact and green. Honda plans to offer more hybrid and diesel technology in its future lineup which will also get smaller.

“A smaller minivan could fit into Honda’s future,” Dan Bonawitz, vice president for corporate planning and logistics at American Honda Motor Co., told Automotive News. ”Ultimately, there will be a lot more smaller cars. The U.S. will look a lot more like Europe.”

So far dealers are waiting on the arrive of the redesigned 2009 Honda Fit. A hybrid version of the Fit will arrive in 2011. Of course let’s the five-door hatchback that’s been keeping Honda in the headlines recently. The dedicated-hybrid model will arrive next year as a 2010 model year and will cost below $20,000.

Both of those hybrids will be followed by the Honda CR-Z hybrid that is due out in late 2011. The CR-Z will be followed by a redesigned Civic and Civic Hybrid along with a diesel powered Accord. The diesel engine will also make its way in the CR-V in 2010.

As for the gas-guzzling and larger models - the S2000 roadster’s future is unclear after sales have fallen off dramatically. The new redesign Pilot just hit the market this year and Honda has already cut production of the new SUV.

The Honda Ridgeline was just refreshed for the 2009 model year - the Element will see a redesign in 2010 along with the Odyssey. Another minivan, the Japanese Honda Stream, is expected to be imported to the U.S. by 2010 as a rival to the Mazda5.

Source; http://www.automotivenews.com/ subscription needed.

2010/2011 Honda FIT Hybrid

Adding a hybrid version of the popular and 10Best-winning Fit seems much like putting a second layer of icing on an already tasty cake. But in his press conference, Fukai is quoted as saying the premium for the hybrid over the conventional Fit cannot exceed $2000. The current price of a Fit ranges from $14,585 to $16,705. The hybrid reportedly would go on sale by 2015 with the third-generation of the B-segment car.
While Toyota gets most of the credit for the burgeoning hybrid market, Honda was actually first on the scene in the U.S. with the Insight in 1999. But consumers have not snapped up its subsequent hybrids, forcing the automaker to drop its Accord hybrid from the 2008 model line due to slow sales.