Low Honda Sales?

[Skotty]

Anyone have a theory on why the Honda Insight isn't doing better? Do people just not know about it?

The mileage is a tad lower than the Prius, but still competitive. It is a similar shape, but IMO looks better. It's cheaper. And it's a Honda, so it doesn't suffer from the same America self-hatred that the big 3 are always disadvantaged with. So why are it's sales numbers so dismal and falling? Honda also has the Civic Hybrid and is thus competing with itself to a degree, but Civic Hybrid sales are terrible too.

[drbruns]

My guess is that people prefer the Prius over the Insight. As you say, the mileage is lower, the cars look kind of the same to me, and the Prius brand is a strong one.

[saghost]

Well, you wanted a theory, here's a few thoughts:

It doesn't have the reputation the Prius has with the general public.
It's small - tight interior in most respects.
Early versions (I think there's an intermediate revision which changed this) couldn't run the A/C without the engine.
Prius wannabe look - it looks like a 90% scale Prius - to the point that uninformed buyers might mistake it for one.
20% worse mileage despite being 15% lighter?

I wasn't in the market for either car, but on paper there's nothing I like about the Insight except the lower price. Motortrend did a direct comparison, and said the Insight won, but everything else they said about the Insight was bad (except about its price,) whereas they praised the Prius in comparison. I'm really puzzled why they said the Insight won, given everything else they said:

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/...t/viewall.html

[Codyozz]

I've heard negative things about the old Civic Hybrid circa 2008.... Also, why by the impostor when you can buy the original. There has been a number of surveys out there and among the top reasons for purchasing a Prius was image. Any Honda will have zero image compared to Prius.
Would I buy a Honda Insight? No way, it's ugly... just like the prius. Honda really REALLY messed up trying to copy the Prius style.
I have other theories: 1. I believe Honda doesn't really believe in the technology in mass quantities at least. They could have thrown all in on the hybrid front shortly after the first 2 door insight came out. They followed up with a lame Accord V6 hybrid that did nothing and a Civic hybrid that I hear owners either love or HATE! I'm sure you've heard about the Civic Hybrid lawsuits. But I digress... Honda does not show any confidence in hybrids.... three years ago they had another opportunity to start fresh and bring a true hybrid to market with lithium batteries (for release this year) and they failed to do so.
I am real upset with honda for not leading the pack on this. They've got some other technology out there... but it's fringe tech in my opinion... natural gas and fuel cell... (no networks) Part of the problem is marketing... if they would have gotten their robot (asimo?) to do a series of commercials touting their technological prowess and igniting passion to the Honda loyalists then maybe they would be in a differnt spot. As of now... they are trying convert the extremely happy prius owners to honda (neva gonna happen) with duplicate/inferior tech. LOL Whiskey Tango Foxtrot!?
2. Honda has no real design people! The CR-V is their best looking vehicle. The rest is copy and paste design language. This means that they have exactly NO ones attention now, last year... or next year.
3. They never hit beyond 2nd base. None of their current releases are winning in the economy category. Sure the Odyssey and Pilot are great vehicles, but this is where they make money and get zero efficiency points among greenies. Can you say Honda Pick up truck? As funny as it sounds I think Hummer could have remade it's image if they would have switched the drivetrains to economical ones and kept incrementally improving the rest of the vehicles. How can the masses complain about GM or Hummer if they would've released a H3 hummer that got 20 city and 30 highway using hybrid technology? Imagine Voltec equip in a small Hummer package that could do about 25 miles gas free and got 30mpg when in CS mode. Or how about an H2 with the buick turbo 4, and 2 voltec motors and 20kw battery! 20 miles gas free and 20mpg!
I'll take it!

[djquick64]

Another reason could be that the Honda hybrid drive system is basically the same as GM's BAS+ system used in their Malibu Eco and Buick Eco models. The main difference is GM puts the electric motor in the place of the alternator where Honda puts the electric motor between the motor and the transmission. GM's BAS+ motor is larger(20hp to 13hp) and its battery is more powerful(115volts to 100.8volts).

[Steverino]

We looked at one some years ago and came away saying no way. The interior space was unacceptable.

[MrEnergyCzar]

It got trashed in the reviews when it first came out. From what I recall, it's much cheaper looking inside, rattles more and is loud compared to the Prius. Never mind less MPG and only a couple grand less than the king, Mr Prius.

MrEnergyCzar

[awm]

Take a test drive and you know why. It is just not pleasant to drive and even less inspiring than the already boring ride of the Prius (a little bit more power and better suspension would do wonders to the Prius - Toyota, borrow some elements from the 2012 Camry Hybrid which is a blast to drive for a hybrid!)

[ShannonVolt]

Honda has become very lackluster in the styling dept. They build reliable vehicles just doesn't have soul.

[tboult]

My reason for it is simple.. the Volt.



If already drank Prius coolaid, nothing will get you out, your buying a Prius.
All other hybrid buyers are a smaller market and the cars have to differentiate on something, price, style, power.

If one really wants to use a less gas, or wants cutting edge technology, get a Volt.
If you want a car with more "car" sytling, get a Volt or a Camery.. If you want a car that looks like that, there is no reason to risk a non-Prius and loose a few MPG at the same time?

If you want a car with power/acceleration -- Get a Volt.

So the Insight's competition is not the Prius, its the Volt.

Oh well, I guess there are the Kia, Fusion, Camery, Lexus and a few other hybrids for the non-Prius buyers to consider besides the volt. But the Volt outsold those too, so its the most important competition.
(Hundai out sold he Volt, but mostly on price).