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http://www.dailytech.com/Report+Honda+Insight+Civic+Hybrid+Getting+the+Boot+in+Canada+Due+to+Poor+Sales/article19427.htm

well geeze, it's kinda like Honda isn't even trying! I haven't seen ONE add for the HCH in over a year (down here in sunny Portland), either in print or on screen, and the Insight ads have vaporized. Seems a shame-- the HCH has lots of advantages (in my opinion) over the Prius, aside from the milage being a bit lower. Sigh...I hope the US market isn't about to follow suit.

Philip

I wonder why people are not buying. It won't be just Canada if they keep on the same path. There are better Hybrids to buy anyway? H

Hi folks.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Honda Canada has stopped trying to promote these cars for the better part of the last 3 years and it is as if they willfully wanted this situation to occur. Yes this is no accident, as they neither lacked the advice nor the ability to see the writing on the wall.

Sadly, I am also not certain if the new management team and its new direction get's it either... so unless they have a monumental and redeeming surprise up their sleeves, it is hard to see an improvement in strategies that will ease our concerns and frustrations. :(

Cheers;

MSantos

Honda seems to be treating their hybrids the way we treat some of our houseplants. If they're ailing, underfoot or just generally not wanted, we'll put them in a light deprived corner, or out in the yard somewhere, just generally neglect them...

I am afraid Honda new from the begining that they will market the Honda Civi Hybrid II for a short period. Kind of market test. I bought my HCH 2006 in March 2007 and I had to visit 6 dealers (6!) before I can try one. The last dealer I had visited did not have a demo but the young salesman was smart enough to promise me he would find one for me the next day. In Canada at least, you really have to be strong mentally to convince yourself that Honda wanted to sell you a Civic Hydrid. I never saw (at least on the French TV around Montreal) one single serious advirtisement to promote the Civic hybrid. I remember one TV add that was promoting a green civic but it wasn't the hybrid model!

My concern now is that the dealers will not trained their service personnel to properly maintained my hybrid. It was already difficult to talk to soemeone who had a clue what was that curious machine!

It's sad because I love the car. With over 92K Km I had not a single problem. I cross my fingers that I could keep the car for many more years even if Honda Canada can not properly market a nice and efficient car built in Japan.

Hi all Canadians:
I relieved a recall notice last week on up-dating the way the IMA does its thing. Has anyone else? I don't want to take mine in as it is working to perfection.

Cheers,
H

I am afraid Honda new from the begining that they will market the Honda Civi Hybrid II for a short period. Kind of market test.

Groan! I wonder if this is all due to the costs of building the cars at a loss and then having to support them in the field? Maybe it is just that the HCH-II is not well-suited for cold climates. But, if they stop selling them in Canada, how long might it be before they stop selling them in the US, too?

My daughter just crunched another one, too. She seems to be on a one-woman streak to destroy all the HCH-II's she can. I'm hoping this one isn't totalled.

Jon

Another HCH accident? Oh no!! :(

I'll wait for MSantos to weigh in on cold performance (hint... it is better than the Prius) and the building at a loss bit (I believe he mentioned to me at one point that this hasn't been the case for a while).

Hi Harold;

Event though my car is working as perfect as it was before, I would understand if you have concerns about taking it in. After all, why fix something that is not broken?

Cheers;

MSantos

Hi Jon;

The topic of this thread does not fit reality very well and the rumors have proven to be just that. Honda will indeed continue to sell these cars in Canada.

Yes, all hybrids suffer when driven in Canadian Winters but so do other cars!!!

However, the HCH-II still remains one of the best hybrids for winter time MPG.

Cheers;

MSantos

Harold, we got our notice regarding, the software update, last week as well. The car is booked to go in tomorrow (Thursday) to have it done. Still dunno, feeling a little queasy about the whole thing, but going to go for it.

On topic:

I'm very sceptical of Richard Jacob's statements, linked in this related thread:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=279643#post279643

What speaks louder to me is No 2010 Civic Hybrids on dealer lots, and no mention on their web page, speaks to me much louder. If they have "a six month supply", how about making a few available?

Hi msantos
You are happy with the new software updates. Well that makes me feel better. I'll probably do it as I have extended warranty. H

Mendel, let us in on your feelings after you have had time with the changes. H

The report never said they were going to stop selling, just that customers would have to
order them.

The Honda statement is deliberately couched it as if they are denying the report when in fact they are only denying the misinterpretation.

Hi msantos
You are happy with the new software updates. Well that makes me feel better. I'll probably do it as I have extended warranty. H


Hi Harold;

I am as happy with the updates as I ever been... and if I owned 100 HCH-II's, I would not hesitate applying the updates to all of them. But with this said, we both know that one person's experience does not always translate as a benign template for others.

One thing to remember is that the behavior will change a bit and there may be yet another bit a learning attached to it. ;)

Cheers;

MSantos

The thing that I wonder now, is what's the point of having a Civic hybrid if they already have their Insight 2 hybrid.

Hi Justin;

Even with the obvious sales cannibalization by the 2nd gen Insight, the Civic Hybrid remains the flagship hybrid vehicle for Honda. It is more sophisticated, more refined, has cleaner emissions and also delivers better MPG. Because of this and several other reasons too, it would not make sense to replace it with a smaller and less FE competitive (albeit more versatile) Honda Insight II.

For better of for worse, this is the way things are and that is the way they are said to remain since every significant leap in Honda hybrid technology is expected to be implemented first on the HCH and not on its "more affordable" siblings.

Cheers;

MSantos

I guess it's good to keep in mind: Honda is a business. They don't owe anyone hybrids. They tried it, several times, on a small scale. Maybe their concern is not reaching "critical mass", or whatever. Debate aside, it's their call what they do.

I may not like what they're doing, it may persuade me to look for something else next time, but I do respect their right to make the tough decisions.

Mendel,

I understand that Honda is a business. But when you put a product on the market, you must mention clearly if it is a test and be clear that if you purchase it, the company may not keep producing it in a near future. Honda should have put more effort in giving a chance to the Civic hybrid by having a fair advertising campain. In the contrary, they hide the car to the public and even in the dealer show room. Why was that? Even if Honda is saying this is just a rumor and they will still sell it in Canada, I don't believe Honda. It's just a matter of time before they stop selling it Canada. At least it is my prediction.

JB Dunham Québec

Mendel,

I understand that Honda is a business. But when you put a product on the market, you must mention clearly if it is a test and be clear that if you purchase it, the company may not keep producing it in a near future. Honda should have put more effort in giving a chance to the Civic hybrid by having a fair advertising campaign. In the contrary, they hide the car to the public and even in the dealer show room. Why was that? Even if Honda is saying this is just a rumor and they will still sell it in Canada, I don't believe Honda. It's just a matter of time before they stop selling it Canada. At least it is my prediction.

JB Dunham Québec

I'll repeat: the report didn't say they were going to stop selling them, just that people would have to order them. Other pages misquoted the report and said they were going to stop selling them. Then Honda denied they were going to stop selling them but Honda didn't deny that they'd have to be ordered. I think you can believe what Honda said, it's not like it's a stretch for them given that they're still selling in the USA.

I agree that failing to advertise the model isn't going to help sales. However, given that the Prius doesn't sell either they clearly aren't losing much business by not pushing them. Since their cars sell well in Japan it's probably no big deal to them not to push in a small market.

But when you put a product on the market, you must mention clearly if it is a test and be clear that if you purchase it, the company may not keep producing it in a near future.

I don't believe they're under any such obligation. It would be nice, but all they've contracted to do when you make a purchase is supply that car, and continue to supply parts and maintenance for a reasonable car life span. They don't have to promise to keep producing the car for x number of years, or any minimum quantity per year.

I'll repeat: the report didn't say they were going to stop selling them, just that people would have to order them. Other pages misquoted the report and said they were going to stop selling them. Then Honda denied they were going to stop selling them but Honda didn't deny that they'd have to be ordered. I think you can believe what Honda said, it's not like it's a stretch for them given that they're still selling in the USA.

I don't really care one way or the other, but for me Honda's actions speak louder than reports, statements, etc: as far as I can see, they've imported no 2010 Civic Hybrids into Canada to date, and I'd suspect they're not going to start, this late in the year. I've heard there may be next gen Civic Hybrids coming next year, but the guy was a little vague, concerning model year, spring/fall, etc. I don't think anything is for sure till it happens, LOL.

Mendel,

Anyway, I hope my next car will be EV LOL