News

Honda Motor's Insight Supply Runs Short in Southern California

March 13, 2000 by Jeff Shepard

Customers seeking Honda Motor Co.'s hybrid gasoline-electric Insight automobiles in Southern California may have a hard time finding one to buy, at least for now. Honda claims to be ramping production to 400 per month, but there are currently no Insights in stock or available to buy. Since US deliveries began six weeks ago, just 68 Insights have been shipped. More than 200 customers have already placed advance orders; some put deposits at several dealers in hopes of getting the cars quicker. The Insight uses an electric motor in conjunction with its small internal-combustion engine to boost acceleration and to save fuel. Working together, the two systems help the hybrid to get an EPA rating of 61mpg city and 70mpg highway.