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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg “It’s not enough to say ‘It gets good gas mileage’ or ‘It’s a hybrid.’ Value and lower monthly payments are what’s working in this market.” (nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/media/13adco.html?bl&ex=1237089600&en=7d1acb28dcefe41f&ei=5087%0A)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_European_Honda_Insight-II_Side.jpgStuart Elliot – NY Times (nytimes.com) – Mar. 13, 2009

2010 Honda Insight-II – (European version shown) starts at $19,800 and achieves 41 mpg US combined on the 08 EPA.

There is something about less than $20,000 that has a certain ring to it ;) -- Ed.

So the timing may be right for a hybrid car with a suggested retail price starting under $20,000 — the first in the American market in that price range...

Honda is taking a big risk on the potential appeal of a more mainstream hybrid. The automaker plans to introduce the 2010 Honda Insight on March 24, with sticker prices of $19,800 to $23,100 (plus destination charges).

By comparison, the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, from the Ford Motor Company, is priced from $27,270, and the 2009 Toyota Prius, from Toyota Motor Sales USA, starts at $22,000. The largest hybrids, like the 2009 GMC Yukon from General Motors, can cost $50,000 or more.

A campaign for the Insight, with a budget estimated at $50 million to $75 million, is scheduled to start on Monday.

“You know who could use a car like this?” asks the headline of a print advertisement. “Everyone.”

“For the many.”

“The hybrid for everyone is here. The Insight. Designed and priced for us all. From Honda.”

“From Honda. For everyone.”...

In a truly populist touch, there will be Insight ads on banners towed by planes over beaches on the Memorial Day and the Fourth of July weekends... http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/media/13adco.html?bl&ex=1237089600&en=7d1acb28dcefe41f&ei=5087%0A

I can't pick this car up at the factory, nor the port. Manufacturers shouldn't be allowed to exclude destination charges, they're printed on the Monroney label for crying out loud.

It is getting out of control, and I hate having to explain to customers why our car appears to be priced higher than Honda advertises the car for when standing on the lot or on the phone. But the others do it too, I get customers who've felt betrayed by another brand pulling the same trick and now that they are aware and ask the right questions, they don't feel like someone was lying to them.

This car with the current destination charges for the lower 48 states comes in at $20,470, still a great price, but not the under $20 they promised, they didn't say, "under 20 before destination.

Excluding sales taxes or other things that vary regionally and are required is fine, put it in the fine print, but destination goes right to Honda (as far as the customer is concerned, it doesn't matter who collects it to send the funds on their way) to pay shipping transport and fuel, it varies for the whole lineup at once when it changes. I can understand Toyota where the fee varies based on where the car is going (that's a failure in their distribution model not something the customer should have to consider).

I'm done ranting.

This is a great price an entry level hybrid, something that hasn't really been addressed 'till now, all the hybrids I've seen to date have been a bit up market and not even under consideration by most buyers. Lower the barriers to entry for hybrid ownership, and you'll get more hybrid owners, this car does that. I wish them well. (for their sake and my own)

Yay! I'm so excited about getting my Insight. The dealership told me its being made today or tomorrow so I hope that means I'll be getting it in a month. I was a bit disappointed that the price ended up being almost $2,000 more than what I thought it would be, but I'm getting it regardless.

I've been waiting to get my hybrid (whichever one it may be) for over a year now, and its finally time! Need to learn how to log my mileage and keep y'all posted on how its going. Thanks for all the help with research. It was funny knowing the price b4 the dealership even called. But overall, the price increase will only add about 20 bucks to my monthly payments, I can deal with that for a car I know I'll love.

Hi Spitfiregirl:

___I am sure you will love it ;)

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Thanks Wayne. I'll let you guys know how it goes! :)

I'm also confused as to why we are being trained on the car after the on sale date, and why the launch event for the previous owners (earth day) is after on sale too. Hmm, something's weird there, or it was too late to move all the events up to correspond with the new launch date?

Hi Kacey:

___That one is interesting. At the long lead preview in Carefree, AZ., we were all told the launch date was going to be the 22nd and than a few weeks later, it was moved up. No reasons were given but I can ask if you want?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

That would be great info, I would appreciate it.

...___That one is interesting. At the long lead preview in Carefree, AZ., we were all told the launch date was going to be the 22nd and than a few weeks later, it was moved up. No reasons were given but I can ask if you want?...

I find it very difficult to believe that this shift would be unrelated to the Prius news releases planned for March 25. And also very difficult to believe that any corporate insiders will admit to any connection.

Hi Dean:

___Speaking to some of the Honda guys last week, I do not believe they knew the Prius-III full-previews and impressions were going to be released on the 25th? The move up date for the Insight-II's actual release to the public was moved ahead many months ago and well before the Prius-III preview in Napa Valley actually.

___I am sure the move up had something to do with the other but from early appearance, Toyota Japan is the one that looks like they are scrambling on Prius-III pricing given the Insight-II's early Japanese sales success. Something like 18,000 have been sold over there to date and it has been available for what, a month? That is a pretty hot launch and it achieved #10 in overall sales with the Prius-II falling to #12 IIRC.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Am I the only one who doesn't see the appeal of the car? Why not just buy a civic hybrid?

Hi Raveneon;

No matter how we look at it, the HI-II is supposed to be less expensive than the HCH-II... enough, to put it within the window of affordability for a lot of folks.
Then you have to factor the HI-II advantages: More cargo carrying flexibility, slightly better urban FE, more distinctive styling, the newer hybrid gauges, etc.

There's a lot going for the HI-II especially for folks who would otherwise find fault in any of the mentioned areas with the HCH-II.

Cheers;

MSantos

Why not just buy a Civic Hybrid?
Because I can't legally transport 4 people plus my dog in an HCH. Pretty sure stuffing the dog in the trunk is a bad idea.
Because I can't transport anything bigger than a large suitcase in an HCH.
Because thanks to the non-folding rear seats, I can't transport anything longer than 6 feet in an HCH.


I can do all of those things with an Insight (or any 5-door hatchback). And it costs 15% less than an HCH (a difference which, to many people, is quite significant).

I might be able to justify a commuter vehicle with the HCH's limited utility if I were buying a used one for, say, $6-8k. But if I'm paying new car prices I need more bang for my buck (although for what it's worth I don't find that it generally makes financial sense to buy cars new anyway).

Why not just buy a Civic Hybrid?
Because I can't legally transport 4 people plus my dog in an HCH. Pretty sure stuffing the dog in the trunk is a bad idea.
Because I can't transport anything bigger than a large suitcase in an HCH.
Because thanks to the non-folding rear seats, I can't transport anything longer than 6 feet in an HCH.


I can do all of those things with an Insight (or any 5-door hatchback). And it costs 15% less than an HCH (a difference which, to many people, is quite significant).

Valid points. Thank you.

Why on earth don't the rear seats fold? I didn't know that.

Raveneon, the HCH has never had a folding rear seat simply because the battery is located directly against the back of it. The new Insight is the first Honda Hybrid (with a back seat ;)) to place the battery under the cargo floor so that the seat can be folded down. The next generation HCH is purported to have a folding rear seat allowed by the adoption of the more advanced IMA system being introduced in the Insight.

(The original Insight has its battery below the cargo floor, but that is rather high in the vehicle and there is no back seat to fold.)

(The original Insight has its battery below the cargo floor, but that is rather high in the vehicle and there is no back seat to fold.)

Practically chest height if I'm remembering correctly.

Yes -- it sits on top of the fuel tank.

Same as the new one

______________Spare Tire
------------
______________Battery
-------------
Floor
----------------------------
______Fuel Cell (though it is more or less under the rear seat)

The tire is under the battery compartment in the original.