[HoosierRon]

Bottom line: Honda is selling every Fit it can make, and it cannot make enough to supply the U.S. market. Plus, Americans want dedicated hybrids to show of their political correctness.

Honda Fit hybrid not coming to the U.S.

Honda will add its IMA hybrid system to the Fit, but only for the Japanese market. During the recent media drive of the new 2009 Fit, I asked spokesman Sage Marie when the Fit hybrid would be arriving. Marie explained that because of supply constraints of the Fit, there were no current plans to bring the hybrid model to the U.S. Much like the MINI Cooper D that is already selling at capacity, Honda is selling every existing Fit it can get, and adding another variant wouldn't likely help the business case. American buyers have shown a preference for a dedicated hybrid and Honda plans to attack that segment with two new cars in 2009.

 

[paul8488]

Man that thing looks much bigger than the current Fit. Cars grow in size so much with each generation that in four years Honda will have to introduce another subcompact below the Fit!

 

[CamaroCrazy]

So are Honda fan sites like Temple of VTEC burning up right now with members screaming that Honda management is so stupid, that they aren't giving the market what it wants, that they should have predicted demand better and adjusted capacity two years ago so the Fit Hybrid could be on the market NOW? You know, just like we do here?

 

[throwback]

Actually this makes sense from a business perspective.
Why offer a hybrid Fit 5 door, and a dedicated hybrid only 5 door in the same market? A hybrid Fit would cost the same as their under $19,000 hybrid only model, there is no need for both cars. As Toyota have shown most people who buy hybrids want everyone to know they are saving the planet. Honda's decision makes sense to me. You have a relatively low cost high mileage car (Fit), a high mileage realtively low cost Hybrid, and you have a Civic Hybrid for the folks who prefer a conventional car. That's an impressive line up all for under 23K.

 

[psece]

Supply constraint means you can only make X per year. So where they sell the X number of Hybrid Fits is the decision. So either they make more money per sale in Japan(either because of exchange rate or markup) or they know they will sell all the regular Fits to the US without adding the IMA technology and cost. Also, if you look at the Japanese markets in general, they get the newer technology a year or two ahead of the US.

 

[PhishPhood]

It also has to do with currency issues.

The weak dollar give NO incentive at all to ship to the US. If the JDM or Asian or Euro markets can buy all the Fit hybrids being made and they can't make any more then that's good. Nothing has to be shipped to the weak-azz US market and take a currency hit at the same time.

Reading between the lines. Lack of capacity.

 

[megeebee]

Funny isn't it? If this were a story about a GM vehicle that was offered as a hybrid elsewhere in the world, and the head office decided not to bring it here, there would be 9 pages of replies by now all howling for blood and claiming this as another example of how right they are to hate GM.


.

 

[EldoFan]

Funny isn't it? If this were a story about a GM vehicle that was offered as a hybrid elsewhere in the world, and the head office decided not to bring it here, there would be 9 pages of replies by now all howling for blood and claiming this as another example of how right they are to hate GM.


.

That's because GM is always 1-3 steps behind the competition in this area. Funny, ain't it?

 

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Funny isn't it? If this were a story about a GM vehicle that was offered as a hybrid elsewhere in the world, and the head office decided not to bring it here, there would be 9 pages of replies by now all howling for blood and claiming this as another example of how right they are to hate GM.

Yes, it would, but not for the same reason.

Unlike GM, most of Honda's vehicles are very, very fuel efficient. That's not to say GM doesn't have fuel efficient vehicles, but Honda isn't needing more fuel efficient small cars: GM is.

The Fit is a fantastic car without being a Hybrid, and on top of that, it's insanely versitile, and sporty (for what it is).

This isn't a boo hoo pity GM thing. GM's criticism from this site come from some of their best supporters. GM does some really stupid, bonehead decisions regarding car choices, and Honda doesn't need to worry about the Fit not selling without a hybrid: trust me, you're going to have a hell of a time seeing Fit's on the lot.

 

[fp115]

Yes, it would, but not for the same reason.

Unlike GM, most of Honda's vehicles are very, very fuel efficient. That's not to say GM doesn't have fuel efficient vehicles, but Honda isn't needing more fuel efficient small cars: GM is.

The Fit is a fantastic car without being a Hybrid, and on top of that, it's insanely versitile, and sporty (for what it is).

This isn't a boo hoo pity GM thing. GM's criticism from this site come from some of their best supporters. GM does some really stupid, bonehead decisions regarding car choices, and Honda doesn't need to worry about the Fit not selling without a hybrid: trust me, you're going to have a hell of a time seeing Fit's on the lot.

Chevrolet has comparable MPG cars to Honda. The Aveo with 24/34 mpg is the same as the Fit's 28/34 mpg for highway and is $4k cheaper.

 

[johnstarnes]

I bet this decision is due that all new low cost hybrid that comes out in 2009. Bummer that GM does not have a fuel efficient, well built stylish small car that they can't build enough of...but they are "thinking" of offering the next-gen Beat in.....2012.

 

[Xenon]

Honda really doesn't need a 4th hybrid in their lineup, and if the Fit hybrid came here it will probably be the same cost as the dedicated hybrid hybrid model, as well as the hybrid Civic. And like Minnesota Nice said, most of Honda's products already have class-leading fuel economy, so why bother adding another option to what is already a fuel-efficient fleet?

 

[Xenon]

Chevrolet has comparable MPG cars to Honda. The Aveo with 24/34 mpg is the same as the Fit's 28/34 mpg for highway and is $4k cheaper.

The Fit has a higher average fuel economy (31 vs 29), better city fuel economy, and it isn't as hideous as the Aveo. More power to you if you enjoy bottom-feeder cars. And that isn't even the 2009 model's fuel economy (the auto is 28/35) and it has more power available than the Aveo does.

 

[fp115]

The Fit has a higher average fuel economy (31 vs 29), better city fuel economy, and it isn't as hideous as the Aveo. More power to you if you enjoy bottom-feeder cars. And that isn't even the 2009 model's fuel economy (the auto is 28/35) and it has more power available than the Aveo does.

I just went off the Honda website... 1 mpg isn't the end of the world. Also a 2 mpg average difference won't cover for the $4k price difference any time soon. By the time you are done paying for your car, even then you probably wouldn't have paid back the mpg difference. The Aveo5 isn't that bad of a looking car and from reviews they are saying it is a good car, especially for being priced at $10k.

 

[jmlee0695]

i would like to know what it would be like if this was gm...

 

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Chevrolet has comparable MPG cars to Honda. The Aveo with 24/34 mpg is the same as the Fit's 28/34 mpg for highway and is $4k cheaper.

And anyone driving it will immediately know they bought a bottom base econo car.

I've driven both cars. Both base models. Eye for an eye, the Fit is superior in just about every single capacity. Build quality, material, feel, driving, and functionality.

And while an extra cog probably doesnt mean much in the grand scheme of thing, I'd still take a 5AT over a 4AT. It at least shows to me that Honda puts it's "pricy" options on its cars.

I've driven the Malibu vs. the Accord and the Malibu won hands down, but the Fit is lightyears beyond any Aveo.

Also, 4 miles a gallon more for city driving is quite substantial. While I had the Aveo rental, I never averaged more than 29 miles a gallon mostly highway driving with minimal acceleration (I was trying to test it).

13950 vs 10895 (Fit vs. Hatch Aveo). Just about 3,000, and you're getting a much better car. I'm sorry, the current Aveo is great for anyone who wants a cheap putt-putt car, but if you want to at least feel like you didn't buy the cheapest car in the world, you'd be a fool not to buy the Fit. There's a reason it's so popular, and it's not just becasue it's fuel efficient and a Honda. The build on that car is impeccable.

 

[Subtle_Cynicism]

Please let me make clear: I do not think the Aveo is a bad car. For $10,000, you won't get much better. What I'm saying is, it's barely worth comparing it to the Fit. I can't imagine how nay objective person could find the Aveo a better car outside of pricing than the Fit.

 

[genjy]

That looks like an evolution of my old 92 Civic EX's dash.

I guess Honda still hasn't really forgotten how to make a real Civic.

 

[paul8488]

I guess when you think about it the Fit IS the new Civic, as the Civic has grown beyond its small dimensions over the years.

If we're talking interiors I think that the Aveo, while being less 'modern', is equally attractive in a more grown-up, classy sort of way.

 

[fp115]

Please let me make clear: I do not think the Aveo is a bad car. For $10,000, you won't get much better. What I'm saying is, it's barely worth comparing it to the Fit. I can't imagine how nay objective person could find the Aveo a better car outside of pricing than the Fit.

2009 although a huge improvement may not be enough to be fully competitive, the pricing difference more than makes up for it. Its a comfortable car and has the features to be competitive too. The next generation should blow all cars out of the hole.