Hybrid and VW Diesel Sales Analysis: Prius Outsells Insight 8 to 1, Jetta TDI 4 to 1

[Right Lane Cruiser]

Honda's new Insight lags competition badly

Paul Niedermeyer - THETRUTHABOUTCARS - November 5, 2009

Is it time for Honda to swallow its pride and lower the price of the Insight? --Ed.

Hybrid sales in October outpaced the market, increasing 11.4% over October 2008. The heavy lifter as usual, was Toyota, up 15%; Toyota’s hybrids now represent 77% of the total US hybrid market, which is 2.9% of the total market. The Prius continues to dominate the whole hybrid sector, with a 55% market share, and sales of 13,496 units. Prius outsold the Honda Insight by an 8 to 1 margin.

Other Toyota hybrids showed mixed results: Camry: down 50%; Highlander: down 32%; Lexus RX: up 155%; GS: down 77%; LS: down 62%. But the new Lexus HS 250 sold a very respectable 1,527 units, only slightly less than the Insight.

Honda’s Insight (1,739 units) is a sales dud, only modestly improving on last year’s Civic hybrid numbers. Seems there’s more to the Prius’ success than its body shape. The Civic Hybrid (down 85%) is becoming irrelevant.

In light of the highly-hyped new Fusion/Milan hybrids (1,333 units), Ford’s 14.3% increase in hybrid sales looks feeble. Escape/Mariner hybrid sales dripped 53%. This continues the raise the question as to whether Ford’s hybrid program is anything other than a PR/EPA/Govt. fleet sales gambit, with volumes limited purposely because Ford’s hybrid costs likely exceed incremental revenue.

GM sold 1,159 hybrids, down... [Read More]

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

As a predominantly highway commuter (75% of 22.5 miles each way) and predominantly 45+ leisure posted-speed driver with a 5-over wife a cheaper Insight would give it more appeal over a Prius. (A test drive would tell us more about the size.)

I could also look at a diesel but HEVs' superior city performance and lower emissions (together with the higher diesel prices during economic growth) tips me to HEV.

I'll be one year too early for BEV or PHEV. ;(

[tjts1]

Too bad about the insight. I thought it was a neat car. I wonder how the $40k Chevy Volt is going to do when it has to compete with the Prius.

[WriConsult]

Our family's ideal setup would be a small hybrid like the insight for commuting and light roadtrips, and a TDI wagon for loaded family roadtrips.

Originally Posted by Ed.

Is it time for Honda to swallow its pride and lower the price of the Insight?

Yes! I'm glad the HCH sold as well as it did for as long as it did, but I fear Honda will see the Insight to blame for the HCH's decline, and will refuse to lower the price further.

I hope they recognize recognize that it is the redesigned Prius that is eating their lunch, and they need to do two things to stay competitive: (1) Lower the price on the Insight (and maybe the existing HCH too) by at least $1000, or at least add cruise control to the LX to make it more attractive vs. the Prius, and (2) Make sure the Hybrid version of the 9th generation Civic is substantially improved, and that it gets here by next fall per their expected 5-year redesign cycle. Probably needs an improved CVT, a much bigger battery pack and electric motor, and revised programming to be smarter about forced recharges.

[Jess]

Make sure the Hybrid version of the 9th generation Civic is substantially improved, and that it gets here by next fall per their expected 5-year redesign cycle. Probably needs an improved Cvt , a much bigger battery pack and electric motor, and revised programming to be smarter about forced recharges.

One can only hope...

[fuzzy]

... I hope they recognize recognize that it is the redesigned Prius that is eating their lunch, ...

They most certainly do. I was one of many new Prius owners called into market research panel discussions about why we bought that over other choices. Though the sponsor was never disclosed -- we would have to draw our own conclusions based upon the course of the session -- it was very obvious that the focus was on why Insight was losing out to Prius.

Compensation for our time was respectable too.

[xcel]

Hi Fuzzy:

___Can you elaborate on the questions, format, venue and details as this is a good one. If it was an open floor, I hope Honda heard it is the price for the amenities provided that the Insight missed?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

[WriConsult]

I'd love to hear more about that experience too.

[fuzzy]

To not bias ongoing research, all I want to say publicly is posted in the PC thread LW Research? I think I just got conned. The OP's information and homework was much the same, though my phone screen didn't go the same path as his.