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Honda Fit Hybrid Comes in 2010

As the hybrid fever catches on, more and more manufacturers plan hybrids for their future line-up, regardless if they already have some in their line-up or not. With the Insight already on the market, Japanese manufacturer Honda plans to introduce the second hybrid in its line-up, this time a version of the Fit, in fall next at the latest, Reuters reported.

To step up the fuel efficient vehicles race, the manufacturer will also introduce three more low cost hybrids by 2012, starting with the CR-Z sports car next year. Official release dates for the vehicles have not yet been released.

According to Nikkei, Honda intends on selling the Fit hybrid for around 1.5 million yen ($15,800) and plans to sell some 50,000 units every year. Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando did not deny the news, but said that his company has not yet decided on neither the release date nor the sale price and target segments of the market.

The move Honda will make will put addition pressure on the other manufacturer, Toyota. Its Prius model already received, according to data submitted by Toyota, some 110,000 orders and even has to step up production in Aichi to meet the high demand.

This still puts it behind the Insight, which last month became the first hybrid to top the best seller list in Japan, totaling 10,481 units sold. The Prius also losses ground on the price list, Honda's hybrid selling for a bit less than its rival.

As for the Fit, turning it into a hybrid makes economical sense, as it was "the industry's best-selling car among new vehicle registration in Japan for calendar year 2008 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 2009," as Honda said.
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About the author: Daniel Patrascu
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Daniel loves writing (or so he claims), and he uses this skill to offer readers a "behind the scenes" look at the automotive industry. He also enjoys talking about space exploration and robots, because in his view the only way forward for humanity is away from this planet, in metal bodies.
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