2009 Honda Insight hybrid in Japan’s top ten sales list in February 2009

Honda Motor Co.’s Insight hybrid hatchback has entered the list of top ten highest selling cars in Japan in February 2009.

Photo: 2009 Honda Insight hybrid

The company sold 4,906 units of the Honda Insight, that was launched on February 6, 2009, and had another 10,000 units on backorder, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association (JADA).

The Honda Insight hit the 10th spot in the category of vehicles with engines above 660cc.

JADA maintained that the Honda Insight’s entry into the top ten list is because of its high fuel economy and affordable sticker price.

JADA also said that the main customer bases of the Honda Insight were middle-aged and senior drivers as well as people with families.

Meanwhile, Toyota Motor Corp.’s Prius hybrid slid down to the 12th position. Its sales fell 20 per cent as compared to its last year’s sales of 4,524 units.

Reports attribute the competition provided by the new Honda Insight and the economic slowdown, to the Toyota Prius’ downward shift. The basic Honda Insight is priced at ¥1.890 million compared to ¥2.331 for the base grade model of the Prius.

However experts believe that the Toyota Prius will make it back in the top ten with the launch of its new model, in May 2009.

The top three cars in the top ten sales list include Wagon R sitting at the top followed by Daihatsu Motor Co.’s Move and Tanto at the second and third position respectively.

The concept of Hybrids was first introduced by Honda Motor Co. The famous Honda Civic Hybrid has been selling in a number of countries across the globe. Honda is looking to expand its hybrid model market.

Honda set annual sales targets of approximately 60,000 units in Japan, more than 30,000 units in Europe and approximately 100,000 units in North America.

Frank Kennedy Sales and Marketing Director of Universal Honda was confident that the sales of the hybrid vehicles will increase as people become aware of the impact of byproducts emitted by the non-hybrid cars.

“The mystery and hype surrounding Hybrid vehicles is fading as consumers are now much more conscious of the impact of lower CO2 emissions on both the environment and their pockets,”  he said.

Honda has also agreed to sign a deal with the Saitama Prefectural Government to help in its campaign to protect the environment by increasing the use of fuel-efficient and eco-friendly cars.

This was announced on March 5, 2009, in the presence of Honda President Takeo Fukui and Saitama Gov. Kiyoshi Ueda. The two parties will also cooperate in the promotion of environmental education.