Honda Changes Tack On Hybrid Fit

Posted

honda_fit.jpgHonda has announced plans to roll out a gas-electric hybrid version of its Fit sub-compact that will cost a couple of thousand dollars more than its gas-only counterpart, BusinessWeek reports.

The new Fit will be the fourth hybrid from Honda by 2015 and dispels doubts Honda has expressed about the mounting hybrid systems on small, low-priced cars that already get better-than-average fuel efficiency.

But some analysts say new hybrids being introduced by Detroit's Three could cost the industry a lower market share as U.S. consumers are driven by rising gas prices to shift to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles, the Herald Tribune reports.

In addition to the new Fit, and a new hybrid model, Honda will introduce a Civic hybrid and a new sporty hybrid model based on the CR-Z.

In other Honda news, the company said, in its most recent environmental report, that, due in large part to increased production activity, CO2 emissions from its automobile manufacturing operations increased about 37 percent to 1.07 million metric tons from a FY2001 baseline of 0.78 million metric tons.

A TV spot last year showed off Honda innovations such as the Honda's corporate jet, a solar-powered racer.

Environment + Energy Leader