Honda’s New Fit Model Designed to Challenge Toyota’s Prius

HIGHLAND, Ind. - Oct. 11, 2013 - PRLog -- Honda Motor Company’s recent release of a new hybrid version of the Honda Fit is an attempt to challenge Toyota’s dominance when it comes to the success of fuel efficient hybrids. Released in 1997, the Prius has been one of the top-selling hybrid vehicles on the car market. Tokyo-based Honda hopes the new hybrid Fit will end Toyota’s reign, and compete with the Prius.
http://www.bosakhondahighland.com/new-vehicles/fit/

However, don’t expect to see the hybrid Fit model at your Highland-area Honda dealer anytime soon as bringing this Honda hybrid to the States is a hot topic for debate. There have been reports that the idea of bringing this automobile to the U.S. has been entertained, while others say it will never make it here.

Sales of the latest Fit reached 62,000 units in the first four weeks, with close to 70% of those sold being the new hybrid model. Yoshiaki Kawano, analyst at IHS Automotive in Tokyo, believes that the “Fit hybrid may be an Aqua-killer.” Kawano also believes that there is a good chance the Fit could surpass the Aqua (the Prius-c here in the U.S.) eventually in sales.

Last year Honda sold over 231,000 hybrid models worldwide, while Toyota sold 1.2 million. Honda hopes that challenging Toyota on the hybrid front will help in closing the greater gap.

Equipped with a semi-automatic transmission and a lithium-ion battery, Honda is willing to offer the car for less than a typical hybrid and sacrifice a portion of possible profits. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. analyst Kota Yuzawa said that Honda “wants to be No. 1.”

It can be expected that Toyota will respond and look to improve either fuel economy or cut prices of their own in order to stay on top of the competition. Takashi Imai, Fit’s Japan sales chief, believes that the battle between Honda and Toyota for automobile supremacy is one that will never end.

To learn more about the new Honda Fit or any of the latest Honda models, Honda drivers in Highland and the surrounding communities are encouraged to visit Bosak Honda or contact the dealership at 800-959-4660.
http://www.bosakhondahighland.com/contact-us/