Washington: Honda has announced that its cumulative worldwide sales of
hybrid vehicles broke the 1 million mark at the end of September 2012.
This
milestone was reached almost 13 years after sales began of the first generation
Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999. The first generation Insight achieved
fuel economy of 35km/litre which was the world's highest fuel economy among all
mass-production gasoline-powered vehicles at the time.
In a statement issued to the press Honda administration said,
“Hybrid is an essential step from the internal combustion engine towards full
Electric Vehicles and Honda believe this technology will play an increasingly
important role.”
“Building on the unique features of its original lightweight
and compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, Honda has been
enhancing its hybrid vehicle lineup and currently sells 8 hybrid models in
approximately 50 countries around the world including 3 hybrid models in
Europe,” the press note further read.
Honda is developing its hybrid technologies to meet
differing customer demands. By further advancing its current one-motor IMA
hybrid system Honda will aim to achieve No 1 fuel economy among all hybrid
vehicles. In addition, Honda will introduce a new two-motor hybrid system for mid-size
models and an efficient, high-output three-motor hybrid system, the Sport
Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), which delivers both superior
handling and excellent fuel economy. This system will be applied to the new NSX
which will be sold in Europe.