Prius Toyota's Fastest-Moving Model; Honda Sells Out Of Hybrid Civic

[hatrack]

"Toyota's gas-electric hybrid Prius sedan is selling so well in the United States that the Japanese manufacturer plans to increase production by 50 percent beginning next year. Higher gas prices — which show no signs of significant retreat — are apparently having an effect.

Indeed, last month was the 10th straight month that the Prius was the No. 1 vehicle moving fastest out of dealerships, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

Increased production — the Prius is made in Japan — will boost the number of Priuses offered annually in the United States from 50,000 to 80,000. While 5,230 Priuses were sold in July, only 1,963 Honda Civic hybrids were sold.

Honda's lower sales were not due to consumer disinterest. "We just plumb ran out of cars," Honda spokesman Andy Boyd told USA Today. Honda, also made in Japan, ships only 2,000 hybrids a month to the United States. Honda, perhaps shortsightedly, isn't planning to increase production for U.S. sales."

EDIT



http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/081504/15edprius.html

[JM]

1. I am not sure Honda is being shortsighted

They may be gearing up to launch the hybrid engine in a larger vehicle which US customers prefer, and I doubt they would announce such a competitive shift so far in advance.

I am sure their line capacity for the Civic is much smaller than that of other vehicles in their line.

JM

[nickinSTL]

2. yes

Honda is planning to come out with a hybrid Accord very soon

[JM]

3. The Accord will compete much better

with the Prius than the Civic, considering us fat U.S. people.

JM