Japan's second-largest carmaker yesterday unveiled a new concept version of the car, which will have its premiere in Paris next month. Said to be priced "significantly lower" than any other hybrid on the market. Honda's five-door car will go on sale in spring 2009, and the carmaker hopes to sell 200,000 Insights a year. It plans four hybrid models in all and predicts that hybrids will account for 10 per cent of its global sales by 2010. Honda will make the car at its Suzuka factory southwest of Tokyo. The car, which launched in the US in 1999 just before the Prius, was designed as a two-seater because its battery was so large that it went across the rear seats. Honda sold only 17,000 Insights worldwide, and discontinued the model in 2003. Honda also sold in the US a hybrid version of its Accord model, which it discontinued in 2007. Honda's new hybrid will also have a distinctive look, taking cues from its hydrogen-powered FCX Clarity launched last year. Honda says its hybrid system will be smaller and less complicated than that in the Toyota Prius, with a thinner motor.

Honda is aiming for affordability with the new Insight, which is expected to sell for approximately $18,500—several thousand dollars below the Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius. At the same time, the new hybrid should match or exceed the fuel economy of those vehicles.

PRESS RELEASE
Honda to Display Concept Model of All-New Insight Dedicated Hybrid Vehicle Scheduled for Release in 2009 at Paris Motor Show

TOKYO, Japan, September 4, 2008 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that it will display the concept model of its all-new Insight dedicated hybrid vehicle at the 2008 Paris Motor Show (October 2–19; Press Days: October 2–3). Honda is introducing the advanced Insight to meet the needs of customers in a new era of widespread demand for hybrid vehicles.

The name Insight was chosen to denote Honda's "insight" into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.

A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback, the new Insight will feature an innovative new platform in which the battery and control unit are located beneath the cargo space for exceptional utility and a light, pleasing driving feel. The new Insight features Honda's innovative, highly efficient compact hybrid powerplant, in which a gasoline engine serves as the main power source and the electric motor assists when extra power is needed, such as during passing or start-up and acceleration.

The new Insight also features a new driving support function that helps drivers make the most of its exceptional fuel economy to achieve more efficient, environmentally responsible driving.

Thanks to reductions in the weight and size of the Insight's key components, Honda has also achieved significant cost reductions.

Honda plans to introduce the production version of the all-new Insight to the markets in Japan, Europe and North America in spring 2009 and projects annual global sales of 200,000 units.

At the Paris Motor Show, Honda will also display the FCX Clarity, its fuel cell automobile that offers the ultimate in clean performance, producing absolutely no CO2 emissions in operation; and a design study model of the CR-Z lightweight sports hybrid vehicle, scheduled to be released in the near future.

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