Honda's Cumulative Global Sales of Hybrid Vehicles Exceeds 1 Million

 

Honda has announced that its cumulative worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles broke the 1 million mark at the end of September 2012. This milestone was reached almost 13 years after sales began of the first generation Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999. The first generation Insight achieved fuel economy of 35km/litre* which was the world's highest fuel economy among all mass-production gasoline-powered vehicles at the time.

  Hybrid is an essential step from the internal combustion engine towards full Electric Vehicles and Honda believe this technology will play an increasingly important role. Building on the unique features of its original lightweight and compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, Honda has been enhancing its hybrid vehicle lineup and currently sells 8 hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world including 3 hybrid models in Europe.

 
Honda is developing its hybrid technologies to meet differing customer demands. By further advancing its current one-motor IMA hybrid system Honda will aim to achieve No 1 fuel economy among all hybrid vehicles. In addition, Honda will introduce a new two-motor hybrid system for mid-size models and an efficient, high-output three-motor hybrid system, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), which delivers both superior handling and excellent fuel economy. This system will be applied to the new NSX which will be sold in Europe.

 

Under the global environmental slogan of "Blue Skies for Our Children," Honda will continue its efforts to develop and sell hybrid vehicles in an aim to realise a low carbon society.

 History of Honda Hybrids in Europe

2000	The first generation Insight became the first petrol-electric hybrid vehicle on sale in Europe and the most economical petrol powered car in the world (80g CO2/km)
2003	Civic IMA launched (CO2 output of 116g CO2/km)
2005	Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 100,000 units
2006	Civic Hybrid launched (CO2 output of 109g CO2/km)
2007	Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 200,000 units
2009	New Insight launched (CO2 output of 101g CO2/km)                                    Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 400,000 units
2010	CR-Z launched (CO2 output of 117g CO2/km)                                                                  Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 600,000 units
2011	Jazz Hybrid launched (CO2 output of 104g CO2/km)                                                            Insight (MMC) launched (CO2 output of 96g CO2/km)                                                      Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 800,000 units
2012	CR-Z (MMC) launched  (CO2 output of 116g CO2/km)                                                Cumulative Worldwide Hybrid Vehicle Sales of 1 million units