Honda Unveils Insight - The First Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicle Available in America
23 September 1999
Honda Unveils Insight - The First Gasoline-Electric Hybrid Vehicle Available in America HONDA "INSIGHT" HYBRID WORLD DEBUT World's Best Fuel-Economy Gasoline Vehicle Breaks 70 mpg Barrier
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 -- American Honda Motor Co., Inc.,
today unveiled its all-new Insight, the first gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle
available in America. The Insight, which goes on sale in the U.S. in
December, represents breakthrough engineering that conserves natural
resources, produces ultra-low emissions, provides comfort and style, and is
rewarding to drive.
(Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990923/LATH030 )
Using Honda's innovative gasoline-electric hybrid system combined with a
rigid, lightweight body, aerodynamic design and advanced, ultra-low emissions
technology, the Insight breaks the 70-mpg barrier (in EPA highway tests) --
the world's best fuel economy for a gasoline automobile. Meeting California's
stringent Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV) standard, the Insight can travel
600-700 miles on a single tank of gas; with Insight, the average American
driver will visit the pump half as often.
Unlike a dedicated electric vehicle, Insight does not use an outside
source of electric power; you never plug it in. The electric motor draws
power from an advanced nickel-metal hydride battery pack to boost engine
performance and acts as a generator during deceleration and braking to
recharge the vehicle's batteries.
"The Insight combines high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions with
comfort, performance and desirability," said Tom Elliott, executive vice
president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Perhaps more importantly, the
Insight is in keeping with Honda's philosophy of making environmental
technology easy to use and broadly accessible to consumers."
Honda is pricing the Insight at less than $20,000 with a full complement
of standard comfort and convenience features including anti-lock brakes,
electric power steering, dual air bags, power windows and mirrors, power door
locks with keyless entry, and an anti-theft Immobilizer system.
Debuting as a year 2000 model, the Honda Insight is a two-seater coupe
developed purposely to achieve world-class efficiency. It features Honda's
new efficient and lightweight Integrated Motor Assist (IMA(TM)) hybrid system.
At the heart of the IMA system is the world's lightest 1.0-liter, 3-
cylinder gasoline automobile engine. The engine uses advanced lean-burn
technology, low-friction design and lightweight materials such as aluminum,
magnesium and plastic in combination with a new Honda-developed NOx catalyst
to help remove oxides of nitrogen.
The 2000 Honda Insight is the culmination of decades of Honda research
into lighter, more efficient and cleaner-burning vehicle technologies, and is
the latest example of Honda's commitment to bringing new environmental
technologies to market.
This year alone, about 85 percent of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. are
equipped with advanced low-emissions technology. Honda's commitment to
developing cleaner-running vehicles dates back to 1974 when the company
introduced its CVCC Civic, the first vehicle to meet federal clean air
standards using regular gasoline.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (AHMC) was founded in 1959, and markets and
distributes Honda and Acura automobiles; Honda motorcycles and all-terrain
vehicles; Honda power products, marine products and lawn and garden products;
and Honda and Acura parts and accessories in the United States. AHMC is
headquartered in Torrance, Calif.
AHMC also operates seven manufacturing subsidiaries and production
facilities in the United States, including: Honda of America Manufacturing,
Inc.; Honda Transmission Manufacturing; Honda Power Equipment Manufacturing,
Inc.; and Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing, Inc.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc., employs about 17,000 associates in the
U.S. through its sales, marketing and manufacturing operations.
