I think the very high Aussie sales price for the first gen Insight is all about being such a low volume car that it comes at a big margin, dropping potential sales, making it even more of an unicorn, raising the price further.
So I do believe it was that expensive over there.
It was a test bed for Honda, who never expected to earn back the investment on the low sales numbers.
They may have gained from the lessons learned on the Insight in other models.
One other thing that is much higher in Australia than in the temperate part of the northern hemisphere is winter temperatures.
So when you compare the (90 days accumulate) garage entries for hybrids with an upside down Twinair in March, you get quite some distortion in the numbers.
Try again in September
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2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gmeter or 0.13 Mmile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.