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Despite the fact that it was the first automaker to introduce hybrids to North America back in 1999, Honda has struggled to maintain a coherent strategy to market its hybrids, leaving success in the segment to Toyota and its wildly popular Prius. Although all signs indicated Honda might finally have a hit on its hands with the second-generation Insight, it seems Honda has been overshadowed once again by the competition.
American consumers bought 2079 Honda Insight hybrids in June, almost 700 units less than they purchased the month before. Total sales of the hatchback are up to 7524 units since it went on sale in March. The Insight’s June sales figures are only slightly higher than the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid’s numbers; Ford moved 2058 units of its hybrid sedan in June. The numbers for the Insight put Honda on track to meet just one-third of its 90,000-unit goal in the U.S.
The Prius, meanwhile, continues to blow all of its competitors out of the water. Nearly 13,000 people purchased the redesigned hybrid from Toyota last month, bringing sales up to nearly 40,400 units since March.
Still, Honda says the Insight was never designed to compete with the Prius. Company spokesman Chris Martin said the automaker was targeting potential hybrid buyers who can’t afford the Prius, hoping to essentially create a new segment entirely.
“Insight is the value hybrid, whereas the Prius is designed to be more whiz-bang,” he said. Martin says that low gas prices have pushed price-conscious hybrid buyers to the sidelines. But with Toyota reportedly readying a version of the Prius priced at $21,000–just $1200 more than the Insight–those penny pinchers may gloss over the Insight altogether by the time gas prices begin to rise again.
Source: Automotive News, L.A. Times
I had the opportunity to drive both cars Insight & Prius – including the last Prius release-.For the Prius lovers, or Insight potential buyers, I will tell you the facts why the Insight is a much better car:1. Sorry Toyota, your quality is good, but not even close to a Honda, and it has been proven for years.2. Driving a Prius is odd, and does not feel like a car. With the Honda Insight you have the option to drive it as car, or as Hybrid3. Don’t believe the MPG reported on the Insight (I am getting 50 MPG, and on the HWY I got more than 60 MPG4. When inside of a Prius you constantly have to keep looking to your right to check speed, etc, with the risk of having an accident. On the Insight, on the other hand is right in front of you. And if you really care about the planet, mileage, the Insight will provide you with everything you need to maximize both.5. The Insight is a much better looking car. We can talk all we want about Prius being #1 in sales. But you have to ask why. Honda was the very first to introduce a Hybrid (unlickly for them, they did it when our cost per gallon was close to $1. But that is besides the point, think who has the best & most tested technology. Again, Honda and their technology is more reliable. I can assure you the last generation Prius will present challenges for new owners. 6. I could spend all day talking about my Insight vs Prius. But in a few years, when I am ready to sell my Insight, guess which car will preserve more value? Yes the Honda Insight7. Popular Prius? Don’t fall into the trap as I almost did it.Success for whatever car you decide to purchase
Toyota Prius is vastly outselling the Honda Insight because: 1) The Prius is taller and easier to get in-and-out of, where the Insight is too low to the ground and therefore feels cramped.2) The Prius feels luxurious where the Insight feels flimsy and cheap.3) The Prius combined-fuel-mileage is rated about 25% better than the Insight.
The Insight looks way better than the naked mole rat Prius.