msantos
04-04-2009, 10:26 PM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Japanese_Flag_30x22.jpgHonda's Fukui says no to cheaper Insight, large-car diesels (http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:M3HSRigN_MAJ:www.autonews.com/article/20090403/ANA02/904039967/1186)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Clean_Diesel_CEO_Fukui.jpgHans Greimel - AutoNews (www.autonews.com) - April 4, 2009
Do you have any hopes that Honda will lower the price of the HI-II in a price war with Toyota? This should give you the answer!! -- Ed.
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui says he won't lower the price of the Insight hybrid hatchback despite an attempt by rival Toyota Motor Corp. to undercut the car with a discounted Prius.
"I don't think that would be meaningful to do so," Fukui told Automotive News today when asked whether Honda would cut the Insight's sticker price to compete.
He also said Honda is developing a hybrid drivetrain for large cars, abandoning plans to rely on clean diesels in that segment.
Dealers in Japan say Toyota has set a starting price of 2.05 million yen, or about $20,750 at current exchange rates, for the highly anticipated third-generation Prius, which debuts next month. The Prius would cost the same as a middle-trim Insight, which Honda is trying to position as the world's first affordable hybrid.
Toyota's aggressive pricing, designed in part to fend off Honda's encroachment on the popular green car segment, could have stoked a hybrid price war. But Fukui wasn't biting.
"I think that is something we can't do right now," he said. "We have to carefully examine the new Prius to know whether it is necessary for us to take certain measures."
Separately, Fukui said Honda is developing a hybrid drivetrain for large cars. Its recent push into hybrids has centered on small vehicles, such as the Insight. Next year Honda is launching the CR-Z sporty hybrid and following that with a hybrid version of the Fit… http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:M3HSRigN_MAJ:www.autonews.com/article/20090403/ANA02/904039967/1186
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Clean_Diesel_CEO_Fukui.jpgHans Greimel - AutoNews (www.autonews.com) - April 4, 2009
Do you have any hopes that Honda will lower the price of the HI-II in a price war with Toyota? This should give you the answer!! -- Ed.
TOKYO -- Honda Motor Co. President Takeo Fukui says he won't lower the price of the Insight hybrid hatchback despite an attempt by rival Toyota Motor Corp. to undercut the car with a discounted Prius.
"I don't think that would be meaningful to do so," Fukui told Automotive News today when asked whether Honda would cut the Insight's sticker price to compete.
He also said Honda is developing a hybrid drivetrain for large cars, abandoning plans to rely on clean diesels in that segment.
Dealers in Japan say Toyota has set a starting price of 2.05 million yen, or about $20,750 at current exchange rates, for the highly anticipated third-generation Prius, which debuts next month. The Prius would cost the same as a middle-trim Insight, which Honda is trying to position as the world's first affordable hybrid.
Toyota's aggressive pricing, designed in part to fend off Honda's encroachment on the popular green car segment, could have stoked a hybrid price war. But Fukui wasn't biting.
"I think that is something we can't do right now," he said. "We have to carefully examine the new Prius to know whether it is necessary for us to take certain measures."
Separately, Fukui said Honda is developing a hybrid drivetrain for large cars. Its recent push into hybrids has centered on small vehicles, such as the Insight. Next year Honda is launching the CR-Z sporty hybrid and following that with a hybrid version of the Fit… http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:M3HSRigN_MAJ:www.autonews.com/article/20090403/ANA02/904039967/1186