You've probably been wondering, just as I have: when are we going to see Honda's name attached to some green vehicle news? After all, they were the first company to bring a mass-produced hybrid to the US -- remember that goofy little 2-seater that got 70mpg called the Insight? That was an idea ahead of its time.
Well, after a few quiet years in the alternative fuel vehicles race, Honda announced that it will introduce two new hybrids in 2009 -- one based on the designs of the FCX Clarity hatchback concept and the other on the new, very sporty-looking CR-Z.
The new hybrids will feature Honda's updated "Integrated Motor Assist" system, both lighter and cheaper than it's predecessor. No details have been leaked about what kind of fuel economy these new rides will get, but we've got to assume it won't be as good as the retired Insight's 70mpg. Still, I'm sure it'll be competitive, probably in the mid to upper 40s.
The FCX and CR-Z hybrids will be assembled in Japan, at the same factory as the Civic hybrid, which increases the car's carbon footprint by the time it hits the dealership -- kind of a bummer. According to CEO Takeo Fukui, Honda expects to turn out 250,000 hybrids in 2009, bumping their production up to 500,000 in the next few years.
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