Honda has officially confirmed that they will release the Honda CR-Z hybrid and Honda Fit Hybrid by the end of 2010. The automaker's new CEO, Takanobu Ito, announced the plan earlier today in Japan.
Ito's decision accelerates the direction shift Honda made at the beginning of 2009 when then-CEO Takeo Fukui cancelled the NSX and the S2000 in favor of increasing hybrid vehicle production. In a January '09 speech, Fukui told of Honda plans to increase hybrid production to 500,000 units per year by 2012.
The "Compact Renaissance Zero" (CR-Z) has come a long way since its debut as a concept at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show. A petrol/electric hybrid, it has been rumored to come with either a 140 horsepower, 1.8-liter engine, or a larger, more powerful 2.5-liter unit. Meanwhile, a hybrid version of the Fit has been speculated on since 2007, with production confirmed in 2008.
Honda will bring the CR-Z to market in Japan beginning in February 2010, with sales of the Fit starting towards the end of that year. The compact-sized models join the already available Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Insight, also compacts. Each new vehicle will get the Integrated Motor Assist the company uses on the already-available models. Honda also confirmed they are working on a new hybrid powertrain for larger-sized vehicles.
Honda to launch CR-Z and Fit Hybrids in 2010
By Zack Newmark
July 13, 2009 3:02 PM
Filed Under: Honda, Hybrid, Japanese
Press Release (Click to expand)
Honda to Begin Sales of Two More Hybrid Models in 2010
TOKYO, Japan, July 13, 2009 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced plans to begin sales in Japan of the CR-Z sporty hybrid model in February 2010 and Fit Hybrid before the end of 2010. By combining these two models with the currently available Insight and Civic Hybrid, Honda will further enhance its lineup of compact hybrid models, which leverage the unique characteristics of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency. In addition, Honda is currently developing a new hybrid system which is intended to be installed on mid- to large-size vehicles.
Honda also announced that, in addition to the No. 1 line at its Suzuka Factory, the production of Insight also began on Suzuka's No. 3 line in mid-June 2009, leveraging Honda's flexible production system.
In order to continue contributing to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda will continue to focus on research and development of technologies which improve fuel-efficiency and strive to deliver products with improved environmental performance to as many customers as possible by making such products more accessible to all people.
The CR-Z concept vehicle made its world debut at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2007. The CR-Z sporty hybrid will feature advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all while reducing the vehicle's environmental footprint.
Comments
Prince_Ash
July 13, 2009 3:27 PM
fujiturbo
July 13, 2009 3:49 PM
Well done honda, Now just show us the NSX!!
N20_Purge
July 13, 2009 5:27 PM
thefuture1
July 13, 2009 10:21 PM
Edited by user on July 13, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Razz
July 14, 2009 12:42 AM
WildMaverick1200
July 14, 2009 5:33 AM
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