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Honda Hybrids Dying to Catch Up with Prius

Posted Aug 28, 07 5:42 PM CDT in US,  Arts & Living,  Business 

(Newser) – Honda rolled out America's first hybrids a few years ago, but now they're scrambling to reclaim the roads after Toyota out-greened them with the enviro-hip Prius. What happened? Honda’s stylin’ was so “Civic” that nobody knew their drivers were commuting to save the world. If you can't show off your green creds, one analyst says, "the whole purchase is a waste of time."

Honda’s hybrids, outsold by the Prius 5 to 1, are about to boast a new line-up, with the Insight for more vocal greenies and a discreet Civic for low-key environmentalists. Toyota is firing back with a new Prius line in 2009. By 2011, Newsweek reports, green will be so cool that buyers will have 75 hybrids to choose from, and US sales of the cars will jump seven times to 1.7 million by 2015.

Source Newsweek

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The Honda FCX Hudrogen Fuel Cell concept car is on display with a Home Energy Station that will allow the car to be recharged at home on display as the Shanghai Auto 2007 show opens to the public in...   (Associated Press)
Richard Colliver, executive vice president automobile sales for American Honda Motor Co. Inc., poses with the Acura MD-X Concept car as the new $15 million Acura Design Studio officially opens its doors...   (Associated Press)
A Honda Accord hybrid is on display at the New York International Motor Show 2007   (Getty Images (by Event))
The 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. Honda introduced the hybrid before Toyota's Prius became the hottest seller. Now Honda hopes to reclaim the spotlight.   (KRT Photos)
The interior of Honda's Civic Hybrid.   (Getty Images)
The 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid.   (KRT Photos)
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2007 Honda Civic Hybrid   (nikjmiles (YouTube))

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environmentalism • car • Toyota • hybrid car • Honda • Prius


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