Honda Australia’s Director and General Manager Sales and Marketing, Mr. Stephen Collins said the milestone, which was achieved late last month, demonstrates there is strong demand for environmentally conscious vehicles.

“Honda is a global leader in the development of hybrid technology, having introduced hybrid motoring to the world and later to Australia with the launch of the first-generation Insight in 2001.

“The hybrid market is growing in Australia as awareness increases, legislation changes and consumers chose vehicles that are more efficient and better on their hip pocket,” said Mr. Collins.

Honda’s hybrid vehicles use the unique Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which combines a conventional petrol engine with an electric motor that recharges automatically by capturing energy from braking.

The first-generation Insight had an impressive fuel economy of 2.8 litres/100 km (highway cycle) and 3.6 litres/100 km (city cycle) according to Australian standard tests, which was the world’s highest fuel economy among all mass production petrol-powered cars.

Honda Australia’s range of hybrid vehicles, which currently comprises the Insight, Civic Hybrid and award-winning CR-Z, is set to grow with the launch of the new Jazz Hybrid that will arrive in Australia in early 2013.

Honda is the world’s biggest engine manufacturer, a leader in automotive research and development and consistently rated a top performer in customer satisfaction. There are more than 400,000 Hondas on the road in Australia and millions of happy customers worldwide

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This milestone was reached 12 years and two months after the start of sales of the first-generation Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999, which delivered fuel economy of 35km/litre*, and was the world’s highest fuel economy among all petrol powered vehicles at the time.

“Honda has a strong commitment to reducing the environmental impact of all our products. With a reputation for waste reduction, Honda’s efforts extend from conserving energy through motion-sensitive lights at Honda Australia Head office, to a large supply of vehicles coming out of our zero waste factory in Japan,” said Honda Australia Spokesperson Mr. Lindsay Smalley.

In 2001, Honda introduced the first-generation Insight, the first petrol-electric hybrid automobile sold in Australia, which achieved 2.8 litres/100km on highway cycle, making it Australia’s most fuel efficient car. Honda’s original Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) powertrain combined a lightweight and efficient petrol engine with an ultra-thin electric motor that supplied low-end torque and power assistance as needed.

This milestone comes as another exciting new model was introduced to the Australian market in November 2011, the Honda CR-Z. Changing perceptions of hybrids, the sporty CR-Z is the world’s first hybrid to be paired with a six-speed manual transmission. Only a month after its release in Australia, the CR-Z was awarded one of Australia’s most coveted motoring awards, Wheels Car of the Year.

This award joins a string of other accolades for the CR-Z, including Japan’s Car of the Year and Top Gear UK Magazines Green Car of the Year.

The ninth-generation Civic Hybrid was released in February 2012 with significant upgrades, including a lithium ion battery and new 1.5 Litre i-VTEC engine coupled with Honda’s IMA (integrated motor assist). Together, the petrol engine and electric motor produce 82 kW at 5500 rpm and 172Nm of torque at 1000-3500 rpm and achieves 4.4 litres/100kms (combined urban and extra urban)**

A total of six new hybrid models have been introduced by Honda around the world in the last three years. Today, Honda sells seven hybrid models in around 50 countries, including the CR-Z, Insight and newly released ninth-generation Civic Hybrid.

Honda’s annual worldwide hybrid sales for 2011 was around 200,000 units, an increase of 30% compared to 2010, and Honda’s total hybrid sales during the last three years exceeded 500,000 units.

Under the global environmental slogan of “Blue Skies for Our Children”, Honda will continue its efforts to realise a cleaner future with more and more sales of hybrid vehicles.

*Measured in 10･15 mode with 5-speed manual transmission
**Figures based on ADR81/02 test results

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We have arrived in Vancouver and the first thing we noticed was that all the taxis are Toyota’s and over 2/3 of them are the Prius. Have you ever tried to fit luggage for three people, especially two teenage girls into a Prius and then squash a 6 foot three inch bloke in the front. Squishy isn’t quite the word for it.

The Prius Taxi though we had was 6 years old, had over 850,000km on the clock and drove pretty good. The driver had replaced the brakes and the batteries, with those from a wreck and he couldnt rave enough about it. He has had absolutely no problems with it and he reckoned that it was heaps cheaper to run than his last taxi. His next taxi which he has already bought is the Pruis 3 and he was keeping the exisiting taxi as a runaround for his wife (with 850,000km on the clock).

The other thing you notice is not only the abundance of Prius taxis but the general public has adopted them as well. They are everywhere, along with Honda Insights.

Vancouver is an energy concious city with the sky rail busses running on electricity and I have to say effeciently and clean.

Surprisingly though there are few big american pick up trucks here.

Next update soon

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The Insight achieves a five-star ANCAP safety rating, the highest available and offers engineering excellence and worry-free motoring that you expect from Honda.

Honda Australia’s Lindsay Smalley, said the Insight is part of Honda’s global vision to implement proactive measures to help reduce emissions while also delivering cars that are fun to drive.

“The world’s first car manufacturer to announce voluntary global targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, Honda will endeavour to reduce product-related carbon dioxide emissions by 30 per cent for automobiles, motorcycles and power products by 2020, based on year 2000 figures,” said Mr. Smalley.

The Insight incorporates Honda’s unique Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system, which combines an economical 1.3 litre i-VTEC engine with an electric motor to deliver levels of torque and acceleration expected from a larger engine.

The clever IMA system uses 37 per cent less fuel than the average small car* and delivers lower emissions by adjusting power between the electric motor and i-VTEC engine, recharging the battery with regenerated brake energy and turning off the engine when it is idle.

The Insight is also practical, offering comfortable seating for five with fold-down rear seats that increase boot space.

Most importantly, the Honda Insight is fun to drive. The unique Eco Assist technology turns good driving into a game, rewarding the driver as they become more efficient behind the wheel.

Honda will soon launch the all-new CR-Z, world’s first six-speed manual coupled with a with hybrid drivetrain.

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