Honda To Market Affordable Hybrid In US In 2009

Honda president Takeo Fukui announced that Honda will sell an affordable, gas-electric hybrid in the US and Europe in early 2009. Fukui also said that hybrids will be the basis of Honda's sales strategy for the next three years. The new hybrid model, which has not yet been publicly named or priced, is expected to make its debut as a concept at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in September.

The new hybrid is a five-door sedan that achieves a better fuel economy by reducing the vehicle's size and weight. Analysts expect the vehicle to be smaller than both the Prius and the company's Civic hybrid model. Honda also hopes to market the vehicle with a low-emission label.

According to Fukui, Honda projects sales of the hybrid models to surpass 500,000 units per year by 2010. Honda will also sell hybrid models based on the CR-Z, the Civic and the Fit.

In February, Fukui said that the CR-Z hybrid would make its way to the European market first, with an updated version of the Integrated Motor Assist and a price tag of around €25,000 (USD$39,000).