http://www.torquenews.com/1574/why-honda-will-end-fit-ev-production-2014 Why Honda will end Fit EV production in 2014 By Parks McCants 2014-02-26
[image http://www.torquenews.com/sites/default/files/image-1574/fit_ev_motor_575x358.jpg Fit EV Motor ] Despite a long waiting list and the noted growing popularity of the Fit EV, as promised, Honda will meet production quotas by fall 2014 and halt production. The EV fans are not happy. Let’s talk about it. As reported in January by Torque News, Honda entered the plug-in EV market very cautiously and possibly reluctantly. Our friends at Green Car Reports shed a tear as Honda announces the early fall fulfillment of a very small (1100) car Fit EV production run. A. Ingram of Green Car Reports ties Honda’s limited production run to California’s pending CARB emission requirements. The truth of the matter. Honda is the world’s largest internal combustion engine manufacturer by volume. Note the word combustion. Although the company does hold an “Earth Dreams” philosophy very near to its corporate heart, Honda, like G.M. and others, has cautiously approached the world of electric vehicle manufacturing; marketing and subsequent (very limited) sales. Although Honda Motor Co. does hold the engineering capacity and facility to tinker with EV development, Honda is not a “dedicated” EV manufacturer, ( yet.) Yes, Honda has been at the forefront of FCEV development, and currently sells the most fuel efficient ( mass produced) gasoline electric hybrid in Asia. And, the most fuel efficient midsize sedan in North America. Another Words, Honda has chosen what market research would indicate to be a path of greater viability for a broader market demographic. Electric vehicles are and will remain a niche market; with expansion of that market contingent on the development of a universally available and affordable long-lasting battery or energy storage component. There further lies 3 greater obstacles to the timely expansion of electric powered personal transportation vehicles. Government subsidy, personal perception and reasoning. 1. As long as government, *State and Federal, enables automotive manufactures to inflate the purchase and, or “based” lease price through tax and other subsidies, electric vehicles will remain expensive and financially out of reach for the majority of prospective buyers. The availability of these corporate lend-lease vehicles is restricted to prospective lessee’s with “ tier-1 credit. While income tax-tied rebates do benefit those in specific tax brackets, the majority of today’s manufactured EVs come off- the- line priced well above the affordability threshold of “real world” economy survivalist. 2. There remains a propaganda instilled ( Big 3) fear of “early battery death” for many would be EV buyers. While they love the idea of zero emissions and the quiet torque provided by an electric drive, the estimated time-line and associated cost of replacing an EV’s battery array proves to be daunting if not financially debilitating. 3. “ Miles between charge” continues to be a major concern for most would-be EV buyers. While it’s true that most of us drive fewer than 60 miles per day, very few of us have the option or the financial capacity( wallet) to dedicate an EV or any other vehicle to that very limited purpose. Personal perception: limitations of the relatively short “miles between charge” range of anything less than a Tesla S keeps most pending buyers out of the EV game ... While Honda will undoubtedly continue to research and develop viable personal and commercial EV’s ... * California CARB regulations 2017-2025. [© torquenews.com] ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C3%A9j%C3%A0_vu Déjà vu ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_EV_Plus EV+ was killed just like the GM EV1 was ... http://gas2.org/2014/02/27/honda-fit-ev-production-end-fall-despite-interest/ Honda Fit EV Production To End In Fall Despite More Interest [2014/02/27] - Honda has announced the production of the Fit EV will end, as the company will meet its self-imposed quota this fall, despite increased customer interest. So long, and nice to know ya ... http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1090533_2014-honda-fit-ev-model-year-ends-early-as-last-cars-are-built 2014 Honda Fit EV: Model Year Ends Early As Last Cars Are Built Feb 25, 2014 - Honda has announced through its EV sales division that Fit EV production will end early, with production of the last of the 2014 Fit EVs this fall. Posted by a member of the Honda Fit EV Drivers Facebook group, Honda confirms that deliveries of the Fit EV will continue at around 40 units per month until early this fall. At that point, Honda will have fulfilled its self-set quota of 1,100 units over two model years ... ... https://www.facebook.com/groups/261475370635357/permalink/525122084270683/ Honda Fit EV Drivers (forum) - Tempus Fugit From Honda EV Sales Thank you for your email and your interest in the Fit EV. Honda dealers received a significant increase in customer interest in the Fit EV when we announced the updated lease program in June. As a result, many dealers are maintaining lists of customers who want to lease the Fit EV. Most are reporting that their list is quite long. Honda introduced the Fit EV with an announced volume of 1,100 units over two model years. The 2014 model year will end early this fall, marking the end of production of the Fit EV. Honda will continue to produce and distribute to authorized Fit EV dealers about 40 Fit EV's per month until that time. While I understand your request for clarity about the timing and/or likelihood of leasing the Fit EV, it depends on a variety of factors such as customer ability or desire to wait for the car that are beyond our ability to predict. Honda's experience with wait lists is that they eventually subside, though this appears to not be the case for the Fit EV ... http://ecomento.com/2014/02/28/honda-fit-ev-axed-proof-honda-sees-future-electric-cars/ Honda Fit EV axed: Is this proof Honda sees no future in electric cars? February 28th, 2014 – The Honda Fit EV is regarded as one of the best electric cars on the market. Demand has far outstripped supply and the combination of practicality, fun and decent range have made it an almost unanimous hit. Honda even apologised for a shortage of cars last summer. But the Japanese automaker has now decided to stop building the Fit EV when its intended production run of 1,100 examples comes to an end later this year, despite full waiting lists ... 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