2011 Honda CR-Z
The net results are that Honda has received some 7,000 orders for the new Honda CR-Z. What is most remarkable about this number is that it is more than half of the annual sales target that Honda set for 2010. This could be a good sign for the Japanese automaker, especially since the sales of the Insight have slowed in the first two months of 2010. In the U.S. the sales of the Insight account for only 20% of the total Toyota Prius sales in the same first two months of the year. Honda may be looking to change that scenario. The new Honda CR-Z may propel Honda into a new niche market of sporty, affordable and green hybrid cars.
The U.S. version of the CR-Z is supposed to reach American showrooms this summer. The car will be outfitted with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine that is paired to the Honda hybrid electric system giving consumers who choice the vehicle 36 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Since the CRX was a huge success in the ‘80s, maybe Honda is expecting the CR-Z to take the states by storm in the same manner; at least, that reasoning would account for the 15,000 expected annual sales that Honda has targeted for the U.S.
Bottom line—the CR-Z may be the first hybrid winner for Honda. Maybe they can ride the wave and Toyota’s misfortune and come out with an improved Insight model that will loosen the strong hold Toyota has had on the global hybrid market.
[Source: Automotive News--Sub Req.]
