Honda Announces CR-Z and Fit Hybrids to Go On Sale in Japan Next Year
By Scott Doggett July 13, 2009UPDATE: But the automaker says it has no plans to bring Fit Hybrid to U.S.
Honda Motor Co. announced today that it plans to begin selling the sporty CR-Z hybrid (above
) in Japan this coming February and release a hybrid version of its popular Fit five-door subcompact (below
) domestically by the end of next year.
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, including compact size, lightweight and high efficiency," the company said in a statement.
Honda spokesman Chris Martin told Green Car Advisor that the CR-Z "will come to the United States within the calendar year of 2010," but he would not be more specific. As for the Fit Hybrid, he said Honda currently does not have any plans to bring it to the U.S.
The CR-Z concept vehicle made its world debut at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2007. The car, which takes its looks from the CRX-style three-door hatchback of the 1980s, will feature a hybrid system similar to the one found in the current range of Honda hybrids.
As for a hybrid version of the Fit, American Honda spokesman Sage Marie insisted last September
that it was years away. We're delighted that Honda gave that timeframe more thought.
Prices for the CR-Z and Fit Hybrid have not been announced, but the CR-Z is likely to be priced around $20,000 to compete effectively against Toyota's hybrid lineup and the hybrid Fit will likely come in much lower.
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