10/31/07

Honda Builds the Real Future; Prius-like Hybrid, Fuel Cell Car, Accord Diesel

While Congress stalls and Toyota joins U.S. car makers lobbying against higher fuel economy standards, one company is producing the technologies that will propel the automotive future.

Honda Motor Co. has announced its reason for discontinuing the Accord Hybrid. A new class of dedicated hybrids, designed from the ground up rather than having the technology transplanted into an existing gas model, is being developed.

Honda's next-generation hybrid is targeted for North America annual sales of 100,000 units.

The new car will be priced below Honda Civic Hybrid, and designed to compete with Toyota's Prius.

The wedge-shaped 4-passenger dedicated hybrid is expected in 2009. No gas version will be built.

Honda isn't saying which batteries will power the new product: newer lithium ion batteries, or nickel-metal hydride batteries as used in the Prius. I'm betting it will be the more modern lithium ion.

Honda expects to do 200,000 units of the new hybrid worldwide.

CEO Takeo Fukui has hinted that a quick, economical hybrid sports car is also in the works. This project is contingent on the development of lighter battery technology.

I believe the awesome acceleration achieved by battery powered roadsters like the Teslas will make today's gas guzzling muscle cars obsolete within a decade.

Fuel Cell Leadership

Honda is displaying its next generation hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle at the Los Angeles Auto Show on 14th November.The world’s first commercial launch of a fuel cell car may come as early as next year.

Based on the FCX Concept vehicle, exhibited at numerous test drive events this year, the all-new fuel cell vehicle will be available in the U.S. beginning in 2008. This car has already met government emissions and crash-test standards.

Honda's recent advances in fuel cell technology and lithium-ion battery packs will improve performance, add space, and permit attractive styling unseen in previous practical fuel-cell prototypes.

Real world beta-testing has begun.

Honda also has a clean diesel Accord ready for the European market.

The Accord Diesel is rumored to achieve 60 mpg.

Awesome. Now if dealers would just take those additional dealer markup stickers off the windshields, I could buy a Honda.

Too bad America can't make the cars we need to survive.

"SUV's destroyed the USA" will be in future history books.