Honda eyes four hybrids for Oz

Honda Australia chief, Yasuhide Mizuno, has a four-model hybrid plan in his sights. At last week's Paris Motor Show, for the global unveiling of Honda's so-called Global IMA, the Insight (pictured), Mizuno confirmed that the Japanese marque would make hybrids a core part of its model strategy Down Under within three years.

Further, he said Insight would arrive on the local market at pricing that would match conventional models.

"There are many factors involved, but we would like to see the production version of the Insight on sale in Australia by the end of 2009," Mizuno told the Carsales Network.

"We cannot confirm -- the timing is not decided yet… But we are 60-70 per cent confident [that we will meet the timeline].

The production version of the Insight will be launched at the Detroit Motor Show in North America in January. At this stage many of the details pertaining to the car are still under wraps.

What has been confirmed is the vehicle retains Honda's IMA hybrid system. Best referred to as a 'mild hybrid', the system is essentially a small petrol engine (in this case 1.3-litre four-cylinder) that is boosted by an electrical motor. The electrical motor draws from a battery pack that is charged via regenerative braking. Unlike Toyota's Synergy Drive system used in the Prius, IMA does not run on electricity alone.

The Insight was unveiled by Honda's worldwide boss Takeo Fukui at the Paris show (here). According to the industry leader, the Insight is poised to usher in a "new era of affordability" for hybrids. He says Insight will take hybrids "into the mainstream".

Global uncertainty and fluctuating exchange rates make it hard to nail down a local price for the Japanese built car this far out, however, says Mizuno.

"Right now I would not like to predict the price," the Honda Australia boss said.

"But if exchange rates return to a more favorable dollar/yen relationship, we can see a price and specification [for Insight] that would be comparable to Civic Sport," he opined.

Such a sticker would put Insight at around $30,000, approximately $3000 less than the current Civic Hybrid and $7000 below Toyota's cheapest Prius. Given the strong appeal of the Insight's more streetwise styling and its unique interior, Honda can expect a strong sales reaction to the car if those prices are correct.

But Mizuno-san says Honda's hybrid plans do not stop there. He says the hybrid version of Jazz will also come to Australia -- and perhaps follow quickly after Insight arrives.

No details of the Jazz's IMA installation have been made public. It's understood the car could feature a smaller (1.0-litre) main engine. Honda will be aiming for sub-3.0L/100km economy for the car, say insiders.

With the Civic Hybrid set to continue in updated form, the fourth Honda hybrid will be the CR-Z. A two-door, two-seat sportie, the CR-Z is yet to be confirmed for production but is being treated as a fait accompli by most observers.

That said it's not likely to arrive Down Under for "two to three years" says Mizuno.

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