Honda Motor has sold over 800,000 hybrid vehicles since the first generation Insight – a two-seat coupe – was launched in November 1999.
The automaker now sells seven hybrid models in 50 countries using its IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid system.
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Here in the UK, Honda has sold over 22,000 hybrids since launching the Insight in 2000. The current European hybrid line now consists of the CR-Z, Jazz and the reviced Insight, now a five-door hatchback.
Honda sold about 200,0000 hybrids worldwide in 2011 (up 30% year on year), and over 500,000 in the last three years.
In Japan, the ratio of hybrid vehicles exceeded 45% of all new Honda vehicle registrations in December 2011.
Toyota Motor Corporation’s global tally of hybrids – which includes Lexus and light commercials such as the Dyna truck – is now over 3.5m, a spokesman said.
The first generation Prius sedan was launched in Japan in December 1997 and exports began in 2000. The model line is now sold in over 70 countries.
The second (2003) and third generations (May 2009) were hatchbacks and Toyota is now expanding the line with wagon (Aqua/Prius C) and seven-seat (Prius +) versions, according to market.
