An "affordable" hybrid is on the way, but you'll have to wait until 2009.
American Honda Senior Vice President John Mendel, summed up the company's engine strategy by stating that hybrid motors are appropriate for smaller vehicles, while a new diesel engine will be installed in larger Honda vehicles.
Honda wants to sell 100,000 of its new small hybrids starting in 2009, and promises to make the vehicle affordable to the masses. Although no price target was announced, does $15,000 sound about right?
Honda will sell larger vehicles with a new 4-cylinder diesel engine within three years. The CRV and Element seem like the most likely destinations for the new 4-cylinder engine.
Honda's dividing of the market makes sense -- diesel vehicles are more efficient at providing the power for hauling and at maintaining steady speeds, while hybrid motors help out during short accelerations and by taking over for the engine while idling.
I'm disappointed there was no mention of a diesel hybrid, which would give the best of both worlds.
Found via AutoSpectator.
