The Honda Fit hybrid says no to the US

Curiously, one of the most powerful markets in the world often watches several models pass it by when it comes time to discuss a launch on Uncle Sam’s soil. Prejudices about American cars and some overlap between models sometimes tip the scales decisively against it.

In this case, Honda has noted that there are already too many of the three hybrid models it sells in the US (Insight, CR-Z and Civic), so it has decided that the small Fit will not be in the lineup. But in reality, there would be other, far weightier reasons.

It seems that the price of the Honda Fit is a bit high and would not do much to make it very popular if it were sold in those parts. Besides, with petrol prices stagnant in recent months, a spend of around 16,000 euros at the exchange rate for the hybrid Fit is not worth it.

This will hold until petrol prices wake from their lethargy and begin a steep climb again, as in 2008, which according to some experts is bound to happen. So far, around 5,000 Honda Fits with petrol engines are sold in the US, against more than double that number of hybrid models sold in Japan. SUVs and large V8 engines still hold far more appeal.

Via | Automobile Magazine