Honda Insight tops UK Hybrid sales
Thu, 30 Apr 2009The Honda Insight beats the Toyota Prius in UK Hybrid car sales
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It’s no secret that Honda want to beat Toyota in the Hybrid car sales stakes. The Honda Insight was launched at a particularly keen price point with one aim in mind – to beat the Toyota Prius. And it appears to have worked. In the UK the Honda Insight has outsold the Toyota Prius by 15% in April, selling the grand total of 229 cars.
Now on the face of it this doesn’t seem particularly astonishing. After all, it is well documented that the Next Generation Toyota Prius is just around the corner, and the current Prius is more expensive than the Insight. But that’s missing the point. the Prius has become synonymous with Hybrid cars. The default choice, if you like. So breaking that grip, for whatever reasons, is a big feather in Honda’s cap.
But will it last? Not if Toyota have anything to do with it. Toyota are planning to attack on two fronts. Not only are we starting to see the new Toyota Prius coming on stream around the world at much lower than expected prices, there is talk that Toyota will keep the current generation Prius in production as an entry-level price point, significantly lower than the Insight.
Which is all good news for the car buyer. But long-term it’s unsustainable for Toyota and Honda. But for now, if you want a Hybrid, it’s a good time to buy.
Next generation Toyota Prius or Honda Insight? We’d go for the Insight.
By Cars UK