Orders Stacking Up as Honda Insight Outsells Prius in First Month in Japan

Orders Stacking Up as Honda Insight Outsells Prius in First Month in Japan

Kyodo News International is reporting that Honda Motor Co. wrote about 18,000 orders in Japan for the 2010 Insight hybrid hatchback in the month following its February 6 debut.

The surge of Japanese Insight orders shows considerable interest in the compact hybrid in a country where, as in the U.S., the Toyota Prius has reigned supreme.

And despite the shortened February selling period, Japan's Honda dealers hit the company's monthly target of 5,000 sales, delivering 4,906 new Insights during the month to land the car at 10th overall on the Japanese Automobile Dealers Assn.'s monthly sales ranking.

The Prius fell from 5th to 12th place on February sales of 4,524 vehicles.

The auto dealers association linked the tumble to Japan's stalled economy and to consumer interest in the new hybrid on the block. Japanese consumers also are waiting for the spring launch of the new 2010 Prius.

Kyodo reports that the Insight, as expected, is clicking with young singles. But the report also notes that the compact hybrid hatchback is drawing "seniors who are seeking a family car, thanks to its high fuel economy" and relatively affordable price.

As we reported earlier today, the official U.S. starting price for the base LX model will be $19,800 when sales here begin on March 24. The real starting price, including the destination charge, is $20,470.

In Japan, the Insight went on sale last month priced at 1.89 million yen, or about $20,640 plus the Japanese version of a destination charge.

Greg Johnson, Contributor

John O'Dell:  is an AutoObserver Senior Editor. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.