MetroMPG -
Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
Thanks for the Wayne review tip, PaleMelanesian. I'll be reading that.
I still think Honda is underestimating the importance of EV mode in the public's embrace of hybrid technology. I predict they're not going to sell as many of these as they think, and Toyota will continue to dominate the segment.
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Hmmmm, I don't know. Does the general public have an awareness of the "EV mode" distinction? If Honda can just get combined MPG bragging rights *and* sell it at a lower price than the Prius, they might be able to get more of the hybrid market. In other Honda press releases they have hinted at sub-$20K Honda Fits with hybrid drivetrains.
When the Insight didn't sell, I thought it was because the car was "too small" to be useful from average buyer POVs. When the Prius beat out the Civic Hybrid, I read that one reason was that the Civic Hybrid did not distinguish itself as a "unique" car, i.e. no image recognition, unlike the Prius. When the Accord Hybrid failed, I read it was due to an emphasis on superior performance rather than fuel economy.
But I can see that the Prius is a better platform from the plug-in crowd POV, so it has the after-market engineering group on it's side.
Hmmmm, if Honda fails again, maybe people will say that Honda gave up and made a faux-Prius with Insight badges.
CarloSW2