Honda likely to miss U.S. sales targets for Insight?
2010 Honda Insight - Click above for a high-res image gallery
We had to wait years for someone to give us a hybrid-only alternative to the Toyota Prius, but Honda finally did it with the Honda Insight. Initial interest in the under $20,000 40+ mpg vehicle was high in Japan, but that is not necessarily translating into sales in the U.S. Honda was initially hoping for 90,000 sales in North America in its first year, but it looks like the Japanese automaker may not hit its sales goal. American Honda Vice President John Mendel reportedly told Bloomberg that the company isn't going to hit 90,000, but the company "will be just fine" with 50,000 to 60,000 sales. Honda expects global sales of the Insight to hit 200,000 units, and hopes for about half of that volume to come from North America.
The revised sales forecast comes as Honda is keeping more Insights in Japan due to brisk demand and unfavorable exchange rates in the U.S. Low gas prices are also likely to be hurting sales of Honda's new hybrid, though the price of petrol has been steadily heading north over the past few weeks. The recession is also hurting Insight sales, as U.S. sales have been historically poor so far in 2009.
Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight
[Source: Reuters]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ShaunneyCakes 10:19AM (6/15/2009)
Not a surprise, the concept car made people believe that had a Prius competitor coming out. But other then the Honda Insight being nicer looking, the Prius wins out in EVERYTHING. The price difference is not big enough to warrant going with the Insight. 40 City and 43 Highway does not even top the Honda Civic hybrid, why did they ever think this vehicle would sell 90-100,000k? If this car got 50 CITY and 55 HIGHWAY then it would have blown the Prius out of the water.
My wife and I were waiting for the Insight until we heard about the MPG and went with the Prius.
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Speerdo 10:36AM (6/15/2009)
I personally think the Insight is a horribly ugly car. I'd be interested in one if I could only bring myself to be seen in it. That grill...uhhggg...barf! Maybe I need to see one in person to realize that's it's not all bad, but from dozens of internet pics, I'd choose the Prius over the Insight based on looks alone.
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UH2L 10:42AM (6/15/2009)
I agree. MPG aside, I think the Insight is an attempt to copy the Prius exterior, make it more generic and then change the interior from Prius futuristic to cheesy and pieced together. If the Insight looked significantly closer to the Insight concept vehicle, it would be more sellable.
efmvii 11:17AM (6/15/2009)
That grill (along with headlight styling) is the ONLY redeeming feature, i find the prius grill too... soccer mommy and friendly.
But overall shape, I can agree that it is very generic, boring.
DP 10:54AM (6/15/2009)
The Insight isn't going to sell as well as they predicted, and yet there are waiting lists for the 2010 Prius...
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Ian 2:10PM (6/15/2009)
Smaller and less powerful than a Prius.
Honda should have begun selling cars this year with their innovative diesels (no need of a particulate tank collection). Now that would have been fuel efficicent and MUCH more sporty.
Summary: Missed the market.
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McHoffa 2:19PM (6/15/2009)
If the price had been $18,000 instead of $19,800 they would meet their goals... I chose a Fit instead because of that... I was set to buy the Insight until they announced pricing...
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Luc 6:12PM (6/15/2009)
Reason it didn't sell in US as well as in other parts of the world is definitely price (except Japan potentially but wait until we see latest sales numbers with Prius III becoming available).
In Europe the Prius costs 5K Euro's more than the Insight (and the Insight in Europe comes with VSC standard and rear disc brakes). So I think Toyota strategic move to keep Prius III price low in the US does hurt Insight sales.
Honda should lower the price to $18K and/or add VSC standard...
oollyoumn 12:16PM (6/15/2009)
I was planning to buy an Insight, but with mileage lower than a Civic Hybrid for a car that per Honda is smaller and more aerodynamic, it made no sense. The Prius can drive on electric alone, AC works with the gas engine stopped, there are no belts, is a size class bigger, and has more cool technology.
I got the Prius. I'm in my third week, have 350mi on the odo, down half a tank and have an average of 59.6mpg and climbing. Honda should be embarrassed
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win39 1:00PM (6/15/2009)
Sometimes the posted mileage is unfortunate. There is also a big difference between EPA figures for the Civic Hybrid and the current Prius, but if you look at the actual mileage that people get at fueleconomy.gov they are almost identical. The Prius tests well, but their actual mileage is not really better than the Civic Hybrid. Oh, for people who have short memories, there was a waiting list for the Insight as well, before it was released. I am sure the Prius list will evaporate just as quickly.
One other point. I have an acquaintance who went into a dealer to buy an Insight, and she was moved up to a Civic Hybrid. They made her a deal on that, but not on the Insight. So Honda may be doing this themselves by dealing with a sedan that is not that much more than the hatchback. People, for some reason, are not crazy about hatchbacks.
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Throwback 2:10PM (6/15/2009)
Not surprised. gas is cheap and for 5-6 grand less you can get in a Fit and still get 30+ mpg.
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Ian 3:58PM (6/15/2009)
Does anyone know when Chevrolet will begin selling the Malibu hybrid with a 6 speed gearbox (auto). I want to see how, if at all, this bumps up their mileage and 0-60 mph stats.
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Rick 4:43PM (6/15/2009)
Low gas prices? Not the past month.
And I wouldn't buy this car if gas was $5 a gallon, it's just plain ugly.
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usbseawolf2000 8:50PM (6/16/2009)
The Insight has worse aerodynamic than even the Civic! It seems they tried to make a quick buck and cash in on the "hybrid look" with hybrid for everyone ad.
2010 Prius: 0.25 Cd
2004 Prius: 0.26 Cd
2009 Civic Hybrid: 0.27 Cd
2010 Insight: 0.28 Cd
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ENP 8:40PM (6/23/2009)
Tested the Insight, Civic Hybrid and Prius (2010). Went with the Civic after I got it for 5K under MSRP, which made it less than the cheapest Insight. I bet the HCH is cannibalizing Insight sales. Easier to pay for the "hybrid premium" when there wasn't much hybrid premium.
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