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Honda offers Incentives on Accord Hybrid

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tempus, Nov 3, 2005.

  1. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Honda Offers Incentive on Accord Hybrid

    By Rick Popely, Chicago Tribune

    Nov. 3--High gasoline prices don't necessarily translate into blockbuster sales for all gas/electric hybrid vehicles.

    Honda is offering a $1,200 deal incentive on the Accord Hybrid, making it the first gas/electric model to receive such financial support from the manufacturer.

    Since Oct. 4, dealers have gotten the $1,200 from American Honda Motor Co. for each Accord Hybrid they sell. Other 2005 Accords carry dealer incentives of $700 to $1,200. The offers are scheduled to end Dec. 5. The dealers then can pass any or all of that money along to the consumer.

    Honda sold 2,336 Accord Hybrids in August and 2,352 in September, but sales fell to 1,266 in October. Honda expected to sell 20,000 for the year and have sold a shade more than 15,000 through October. Spokesman Chuck Schifsky said that was because dealers were working to clear out 2005 models in preparation for the 2006s. The 2006 Accord Hybrid will go on sale around Dec. 1 with new front and rear styling changes (like those on gas-operated Accords).

    "It's selling fine," he said. "I don't have an exact number of the supply at dealers, but it's very low at this point. What you're seeing are issues with a model year change and getting vehicles to dealers."

    But Mike Chung, an analyst with consumer automotive Web site Edmunds.com, thinks the Accord Hybrid needs the $1,200 perk because it does not deliver the high mileage of hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius.

    "The Accord isn't a true hybrid in the same sense as the Prius," Chung said. "The Prius uses its hybrid engine to increase fuel economy. On the Accord, the hybrid engine is there to give it an acceleration benefit."

    Edmunds' Web site says the average price of the 2005 Accord Hybrid is $29,053, nearly $1,100 less than suggested retail. In comparison, Edmunds says the Prius sells for nearly $2,000 more than sticker because of high demand.
     
    #1 Tempus, Nov 3, 2005
  2. fillerup

    fillerup New Member

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    Honda deserves the poor response it has gotten on the v6 hybrid. A 4cyl Accord should have been offered to supplement the HCH for families that need more room and want excellent fuel economy.

    A pox on Toyota, too if it offers the hybrid on 6cyl models before 4cyl. ones.

    This policy does not help this country solve its oil problems and is a slap in the face to mainstream America trying to save on gas costs
     
    #2 fillerup, Nov 3, 2005
  3. micheal

    micheal I feel pretty, oh so pretty.

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    I agree, it is a continuation of the same trend we have seen over the last 20 years. Make improvements in technology so that we can get more horsepower and speed., but little actual improvements in efficiency. If Honda had come out with a 4 cycl and a V6 version, that would have helped those wanting economy, and given those who want power a reasonable mpg.

    I really hope the Camry comes out in a 4cycl, at least at first.

    Just a thought about the comment about that incentives weren't needed. When did auto makers start handing out incentives (especially Japanese automakers) when there cars were selling well without them? Even Ford kept the FEH out of the Family Plan Pricing. Apparently someone at Honda thinks they are needed.
     
    #3 micheal, Nov 3, 2005
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Someone here on PC had a friend that test drove the pre-production Camry HSD. It was a 4 cylinder version.

    Also, let's not jump to conclusions now. They're fairly close to their target number and it's true that they may need incentives to clear out 05 models. That doesn't mean it isn't selling, most models need incentives around this time to clear out old models and make way for new ones. I'd say any one who wants an HAH get one now cause the new, updated one looks horrid.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Nov 3, 2005
  5. tstreet

    tstreet New Member

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    I too am sick of improvements in technology going to more horsepower. If this car was so popular, there wouldn't be any 2005s left to incentivize. Ask Toyota if they have to offer incentives to clear 2005 Priii.

    Honda claims to be an environmentally focused company. The HAH demonstrated the contrary. The focus should have been totally on economy. If I just care about power, there are plenty of vehicles out there with power without paying extra.
     
    #5 tstreet, Nov 3, 2005
  6. Old n Bold

    Old n Bold New Member

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    And I see no references to emissions. :(
     
    #6 Old n Bold, Nov 3, 2005
  7. LaughingMan

    LaughingMan Active Member

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    The Honda Accord Hybrid is only a ULEV II... c'mon Honda, you can do better than that... New Civic Hybrid is AT-PZEV like the Prius...

    I hope the new Camry Hybrid can do AT-PZEV, and not just SULEV. Considering it's a 4 cylinder, there's a possibility.
     
    #7 LaughingMan, Nov 3, 2005
  8. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    well guys, main problem here is that Honda's hybrids are only mild hybrid systems which is an huge disadvantage to HSD.

    This is also why emissions are relativly "high".

    And it only has 20hp electric engine (which is a lot less than on Prius)...
     
    #8 spwolf, Nov 4, 2005
  9. LaughingMan

    LaughingMan Active Member

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    Emissions are not just relatively "high"... you buy a conventional SULEV 4 cyl Accord that is cleaner than the HAH. A function of the HAH being based off of the V6 Accord.

    HSD certainly seems to be able to deliver consistently better emissions. HSD turns a V6 to SULEV, one reason why i think it would be possible for the 4 cylinder HSD Camry to achieve AT-PZEV like the Prius has.
     
    #9 LaughingMan, Nov 4, 2005
  10. IsrAmeriPrius

    IsrAmeriPrius Progressive Member

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    #10 IsrAmeriPrius, Nov 4, 2005
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