What We Know

Honda will roll out a more affordable hybrid-electric car in 2009, a timetable which perhaps not coincidentally matches the forecast arrival of the new Fit subcompact. A smaller car than today's Civic and Accord hybrids not only presents the potential for greater fuel efficiency, but also for a lower price tag because of the more spartan content that is acceptable in the subcompact segment. "We believe hybridization is optimally applied to smaller vehicles," explained Ben Knight, vice president, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. "We are developing an all-new, purpose-built hybrid vehicle, scheduled for introduction later this decade that will meet the needs of a family at a price beneath the Civic Hybrid," he added. Asked whether some of the cost savings could come from reduced content in addition to improving the cost-efficiency of electric drive components, Knight would say only that the new car will be competitively equipped for its class.