Honda releasing two new hybrids next year

Honda is finally learning from its mistakes. It'll build a couple of dedicated hybrids for the U.S. market in 2009.

Honda started out a bit before its time with the Insight, a dedicated hybrid that, unfortunately, no one wanted because it was slow and only had two seats.

Then the manufacturer decided to just make hybrid versions of its Accord and Civic instead. Unfortunately, poeple wanted a hybrid that everyone could recognize as a hybrid, and only the Prius was delivering a "yes that is definitely a hybrid, I don't have to look at the placard on the back" experience.

So Honda is busting out two dedicated hybrids that will, finally, challenge the Prius as the only widely-selling dedicated hybrid model out there.

One of the cars will definitely be based on the concept CR-Z (pictured), a sporty little two-seater that will likely be very fast and efficient. Frankly, this is the one I'm going to want.

The other will be unveiled this year at the Paris auto show. I assume it will be small, likely quite similar to the Fit. But it will certainly be roomier and more practical than the CR-Z. Unfortunately for me, the cars will be released first in Europe and then later (2010) in the United States and possibly other markets.

These two vehicles, in my opinion, are going to beat the Prius for efficiency. And they'll need to do it cheap if Honda wants to meet its goal of selling 500,000 hybrid vehicles by 2011.

Via Left Lane News