Honda Minivan Hybrid Coming in 2011

Japanese manufacturer Honda is reportedly planning a hybrid minivan that would be released around 2011 and would resemble the Odyssey and the Estima, two models that are already available in the domestic market. Details on the minivan are yet to be unveiled but a company official also revealed that Honda intends to develop an electric car to be launched in the United States by 2015.

This way, the company plans to better comply with the new US mileage regulations which will come into effect progressively and require automakers in the country to cut emissions and fuel consumption.

RTTNews.com writes that the carmaker is already working on a concept previewing the electric car, with the first public appearance likely to take place in October. But that's not all. The company's green plans also include the already-popular CR-Z, a sporty hybrid projected to be unleashed in February and a hybrid version of the Fit by December 2010.

"First of all, it is important to expand our lineup. We want to introduce a hybrid model to minivans, which continue to enjoy strong customer demand," President Takanobu Ito was quoted as saying by the Nikkei business daily. "Fuel efficiency has been what matters most in hybrid vehicles, but what is required from now on is a balance among economy, fuel efficiency and price," Ito added.

Honda is already building two hybrid models, the Civic Hybrid and the Insight, with the latter considered one of the most advanced hybrids on the market. The Insight currently competes with Toyota's Prius, both of them posting high sales in the last few months of availability.