Honda Motor plans to launch a petrol-electric hybrid Fit (Jazz) subcompact about 18 months ahead of schedule in autumn 2010, the Nikkei business daily reported on Wednesday.
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Honda had said it would launch three more low-cost petrol-electric cars by 2012, starting with the CR-Z sports car next year, but had not officially disclosed the launch timings for the Fit and Civic hybrids to follow.
Amid the devastating global slump in demand for cars, fuel-sipping hybrid cars have become a bright spot for the industry with Honda and Toyota seeing robust demand for their lastest models.
The Nikkei, without citing sources, said Honda planned to sell the hybrid Fit for about JPY1.5m (US$15,800) and expected annual sales of over 50,000 units.
Honda spokeswoman Akemi Ando told Reuters the automaker had not decided the timing of release, price or sales target for the new hybrid.
