Honda Motor has begun selling its all-new Insight battery-powered crossover vehicle in Japan, imported from its Chinese joint venture Dongfeng Honda Automobile Company, as the Japanese automaker continues to strengthen its zero-emission line-up in its home market.
The new Insight BEV, based on the company’s Chinese-made e:NS2 battery-powered sedan, is powered by a 68.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack providing a driving range of up to 535 km on a single charge. It can be charged to 80% in 40 minutes.
The model features a wide range of equipment, including the Honda Sensing advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and is priced at JPY 5.5 million (US$ 34,500). The company has set a Japan sales target of 3,000 units.
Earlier this month, Honda unveiled its new Super-One A-segment compact BEV, with sales in Japan to officially start in May. The company already sells a range of mini-BEV models such as the N-van and the N-One, as well as the China-sourced e:NP2 sedan.
Honda has shifted the focus of its BEV strategy to Asia, and China in particular, after slashing its planned BEV sector investments in North America - including cutting three BEV models from its US production plans, amid falling demand in the region following the withdrawal of key incentives by the US government.
