Rival car manufacturers are desperately trying to achieve the same success in the hybrid market as Toyota has enjoyed with their Prius model.
The Financial Times (FT) reported that with Toyota and Honda both introducing new hybrid models early next year, Honda introducing smaller and cheaper model than its existing Civic hybrid sedan. Toyota is also due to unveil a larger version of its popular Prius. It has so far kept quiet about the new model to avoid affecting sales of the existing Prius.
Ford is also reported to be preparing to launch hybrid versions of its mid-sized Fusion and Mercury Milan sedans next year.
Dick Colliver, executive vice-president of Honda’s US unit, told the FT:
“The challenge, especially with small cars, is to bring the price down to where more people can afford it. And this is our goal for this new hybrid model . . . to make it affordable to a new generation of car buyers.”
(source: FT.com)
