According to Ward's Auto, Honda’s new global hybrid electric vehicle to be introduced in 2009 will be a hatchback with five doors. Based off the FCX Clarity fuel cell vehicle concept, Honda hopes to sell 200,000 units of the new hybrid a year and 100,000 in the North American market alone.
Look also for a Fit hybrid-electric based on the CR-Z concept sports car showcased at the Tokyo Motor Show last year.
The vehicles will feature smaller, lighter components including the battery and internal processing unit which will fit beneath the floor in the rear. This is expected to open up more cargo space. In addition, it is expected that fuel economy will be improved by new technologies.
Our take? Kudos for Honda. Earlier reports indicated that the automaker wanted to focus on diesel technology, leaving hybrids among its entry brands like the Civic. Could it be the rising diesel prices have changed the company's plans?