http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20438234/site/newsweek/

Honda introduced the gas-electric car to America, but Toyota's Prius became the synonym for 'hybrid.' Here's how Honda hopes to regain its enviro street cred.

 

It's just like the South Park episode where everybody is driving their Pious. It's just as much about making everybody think you're ultra cool because you have a hybrid than it is actually consuming less energy.

 

Once again, Honda got screwed!

 

marketing

 

By who? Toyota does hybrids better than anyone else, they deserve the success.

 

But Honda created it. Toyota improved it.

 

Honda made a bet on mild hybrids (IMA) while Toyota went the way of the full hybrid technology. Honda gambled & lost. The biggest mistake they made is when they put their hybrid technology on the V6 in the Accords & went upscale with it. They would have been a major player if they had made the Accord hybrid a 4 cyl. getting 40 mpg ala the Camry hybrid, and made a lower price point. Whoever thought up the samrt idea of the V6 Hybrid should be shot. For people looking at hybrids its all about the mileage, and price with a secondary concern about looks & power.

 

I think Honda's biggest mistake was making the Insight the way it was/looked. Even though it was very fuel efficient, it was also very inconvenient being a small 2-seater and hideous-looking. Honda lost money for each Insight sold, but they sacrificed for introducing the technology, but in a lost-cause package.

 

The Prius will never get the real-world mileage the Insight got. Toyota found a loophole in the EPA's measuring method; a real Prius cannot get 60mpg (more like 40 mpg) but I know people who get more than the Insight's 66 mpg EPA estimate (some as high as 120 mpg for long trips).

 

[QUOTE=kumainu,Aug 31 2007, 03:17 PM] But Honda created it.