Honda - Latest Insight

Taking the Insight, and this blog, to the "Limits"

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:16:11 GMT

Well, this is it, our final Insight blog post. It's been quite a journey&from Paris to L.A. to Detroit, and beyond. The 2010 Insight was most recently seen in Austin at the Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival October 2&4. Festival-goers lined up for the fun in the Honda Eco Zone where they got to know the Insight inside and out, and also took home some fun "swag" like Honda water bottles and reusable bags. Even rain did not deter fans from collecting recyclables and turning them in for Honda rewards as they rocked out in this carbon-neutral venue. And it paid off big time for Nehal Sanghavi from Austin, Texas, the lucky winner of a brand-new 2010 Insight. Thanks for following us on our fuel-efficient travels and we hope you're ready to keep driving in your own Insight. Don't be strangers, now&keep us posted on your Insight experiences on our Insight Facebook page! &Your friends at Honda, Christina, Sage, Dave, Will and Kiko.

Green on the Music Scene

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:44:21 GMT

Music lovers and planet enthusiasts alike gathered from August 7&9 in Chicago's Grant Park for the Lollapalooza Music Festival. The 2010 Insight was there, too, proudly participating in the "Rock & Recycle" program in the Honda Eco Zone on Green Street. "Lollapalooza has had a recycling component over the past five years in Chicago, but this year has far surpassed all other years on so many levels," commented Jody Goode, Lollapalooza Greening Director. The Honda Eco Zone was completely solar powered using two photovoltaic elements aimed to a Southern exposure, plus most of the building materials for the zone were selected purposely to be reusable or recyclable. "The display looked great and we felt like a majority of the fans at the display were genuinely interested in the hybrid technology and were open to learning more about the Insight," said Vanessa Diaz, Honda Product Specialist. Participants entered a contest to win an Insight and other instant-win prizes by earning Green Card stamps for doing "green" things at the festival. Thousands of eco-prizes were awarded by Honda and the Lollapalooza Rock & Recycle team, but the lucky winner of the keys to a 2010 Insight was Richard Hasenmyer from Houston, TX. Congratulations, Richard! Thanks to all the music fans who helped make the festival a success. Hope to see you all at Austin City Limits in October! &Christina

Insight in the News

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:06:57 GMT

In the PR business you have to take your lumps every once in a while. The occasional bad review is not only expected, it's pretty much inevitable. One notable example is the recent Consumer Reports review of the Insight, which essentially is the reason I felt compelled to write this post. Keeping things in perspective, one bad review doesn't have to spoil the whole bunch. In fact, since the Insight launch, the media reaction and product reviews have been overwhelmingly positive&exceeding even our own expectations. According to a recent analysis by the company that does our media monitoring, since the Insight debuted at the Detroit auto show, there have been 1,124 positive stories, 207 neutral stories, and only 12 negative stories&a favorable mix for sure. Additionally, Insight has won hybrid comparison tests in major automotive enthusiast publications, including Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Automobile. It has done so based on fuel economy that consistently exceeds expectations, engaging driving dynamics that separate it from other hybrids, and the unique hybrid value proposition created by its low cost. The Consumer Reports review&one of the few less-than-positive ones&was a biggie though. Unfortunately, the whole matter became more visible when they aggressively publicized the review with a press release containing a headline and a quote from their chief of auto testing that were apparently designed to be more sensational than the review. No doubt, they have a sharp PR staff that deserves credit for recognizing that there can be more news value in a negative review of an important and highly visible car than there is in a positive one. I should be clear that we have a lot of respect for the publication. In fact, our research suggests that the demographics of CR readers very closely mirror those of Honda customers. A Honda customer is very likely to be a CR reader and vice versa, so more often than not this has played to our favor. However in this case, I have to respectfully offer an alternative viewpoint. We designed the Insight to deliver sporty handling with a fun-to-drive hybrid character that would create an engaging experience for the driver. While they criticize Insight's handling dynamics, we contend that we hit our targets and that Insight's handling is one of its competitive advantages. In support of this, we can cite opinions from major, well-respected automotive publications that directly contradict those issued by Consumer Reports: Car and Driver "The Insight drives like a Honda, with tight suspension motions, a firm ride, well-connected steering, and a no-fat musculature. Interior sound levels are mild and well controlled, especially at freeway speeds." Motor Trend "Is Honda's new Insight Hybrid merely a 7/8th-size Prius that delivers 7/8ths the fuel economy? No, the Insight is, quite simply, more fun to drive." "Honda worked hard to make the Insight the driver's choice. There is a hollow stiffness to the chassis, but the overall sensation is road feel, not harshness. Steering is light and precise, and the Insight changes direction happily without keeling over as the Prius is wont to do. Throttle and brake response are smoother too: Powertrain engineers focused on keeping the pedal feel and position consistent with the performance of the CVT and brake-regeneration system." Automobile "Both the accelerator pedal and the brake pedal have a natural feel and feedback, with none of the weird surging and artificialness that we've seen in some hybrids. The powertrain itself provides linear, predictable power. The electric steering is a bit dead on-center, but then it tightens up nicely. Body control and ride quality are impressive, especially given the fact that the Insight rides on skinny, low-resistance tires to maximize fuel economy." While Consumer Reports' opinion is highly visible, it's ultimately only the opinion of their editors, and it's in the minority. I'd like to propose that you take a test drive and judge for yourself. --Sage

Fun with Cargo

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:01:38 GMT

When people discuss the subject of smaller cars, they often say, "I'd like to get a small car, but." Most often, "but" is often followed by concerns about limited cargo space, and how those limitations may inhibit recreation, shopping and work. The Insight has far fewer cargo limitations than you might think. If you take a look at the specs of the 2010 Insight, you'll see that it has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded up, and 31.5 cubic feet with the seats folded down. But what does that mean in the real world? The Insight can carry things like mountain bikes, snowboards, surfboards and other bulky items that otherwise wouldn't fit in a smaller car. With its wide rear door access, the Insight's space is useful. Outdoorsy folks will be surprised by how much gear the Insight can carry, and shoppers might exhaust themselves before overloading the Insight.

Clearing up Hybrid Cost Analysis Myths

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 19:30:54 GMT

It seems that there's been a little confusion out there regarding the price/value equation between the 2010 Insight and the Prius that I'd like to clear up. Recently, I saw a post claiming the price difference between the two cars equipped "as customers want" is only 700 dollars more for the Prius. This was based on an MSRP of 21,300 for an Insight EX, and of $22,000 for a 2010 Prius II, which currently is the least expensive 2010 Prius available. According to the Power Information Network (PIN), an affiliate of J.D. Power and Associates, the average transaction price of the 2010 Insight in June* was $21,526, while it was $26,436 for the 2010 Prius. "Average transaction price" is the average price paid for a car, including, transportation charges, options and accessories, but not including taxes or fees. So, in this case Prius buyers are paying $4,910 more for the keys to a Prius equipped "as customers want." Generally speaking, the difference will grow even bigger when sales tax is applied. In the world of entry-level vehicles, hybrids or otherwise, $5000 is a big gap, and while it's inevitable that there will be cross shopping between the two cars, we think this suggests that they will continue to attract different buyers. Like the numbers above provided by PIN, third-party evaluations are a very helpful tool for car shoppers. All car consumers should research sources like J.D. Power, Edmunds and Kelley Blue Book (kbb.com) to help make the right choice. In the case of the Insight's price, the numbers speak for themselves. &Sage *as of June 19th.

Decisions, Decisions: Honda Hybrids

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:35:30 GMT

It might be hard to decide between the Insight and the Civic Hybrid. After all, both vehicles deliver excellent fuel economy. Both feature Honda's elegant, lightweight Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system — to mention Honda quality. So it's no surprise lots of folks are feeling torn. A brief look at the spec sheets of each will reveal a significant size difference. The Insight is smaller in length, width and wheelbase, and it weighs less. But styling is probably the most recognizable difference. Our Civic Hybrid is a hybrid in a traditional sedan package, while the Insight is sporty and designed to cheat the wind. Insight offers a 60/40 split fold-down seat for great cargo volume with the seats up or down. The Civic Hybrid interior features leather and heated seats for a more premium feel. And the most important difference is.you! A lot depends on who you are and what you're looking for in a car. The Insight was designed to be accessible for a wider range of drivers who may have felt priced out of the hybrid market&until now. It's tailor-made for the environmentally conscious and socially active individual. The Civic Hybrid is for those who are ready to move over to a more efficient commute, without sacrificing the size and amenities to which they have become accustomed. If you're still on the fence, be sure to check out the Web sites for both the Insight and the Civic Hybrid. Whichever way you go, this is one decision you can make with confidence. &Dave

Insight?s Going to Disneyland ® Resort

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 19:14:25 GMT

At Disneyland& Resort, celebrations are always in season. And at American Honda, we think 50 years is worth celebrating! That's why we're pulling out all the stops for American Honda's 50th Anniversary at the Disneyland& Resort. And of course, our all-new Honda Insight hybrid will be an honored guest. Come "Celebrate the Hybrid" with us at the Disneyland& Resort, where dreams come true, from June 12 through July 31, 2009. Enter here for a chance to win your very own 2010 Insight hybrid plus a Disneyland& Resort vacation. Make a wish&you might even have one more reason to celebrate! &Christina

Stay in the Loop

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:18:33 GMT

Though we're sure you like reading the Latest Insight blog, the most efficient way to stay on top of things Honda related is to sign up for our newsletter. Don't worry, you won't be bombarded with messages, you'll simply be updated on offers, model information and news via informative e-mails. So if you're interested, just find one of the "e-mail updates" icons throughout the Honda web site, fill in your e-mail address and click "sign up." It's that easy. &Dave

The Insight's first media accolade

Fri, 22 May 2009 14:08:46 GMT

The Insight team and I are proud to announce the 2010 Honda Insight was named a 2009 Top 10 Green Car by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. It's the first of many media accolades I hope to see. Being the hybrid for everyone, the Insight is utilitarian, and simplified, and I believe it validates the hybrid as a totally legitimate evolution of the passenger car that's here to stay. It's good to see Kelley Blue Book noticed, and was also impressed with the Insight's affordable starting price of $ 19,800, stating, ".the all-new Honda Insight is the least expensive full-production hybrid available in the U.S." &Sage

Winner-palooza

Fri, 15 May 2009 17:53:58 GMT

Earth Day seems like yesterday, but for one lucky winner, the fun is going to last all summer long&because he has something amazing to look forward to. At the Earth Day Insight Launch Event at Honda Center, Armand W. of Irvine, California won a VIP trip to the Lollapalooza Music Festival, August 7&9 in Chicago's Grant Park. He and his lovely wife, Amanda, scored VIP passes to Lollapalooza, including unlimited access to the Lolla Lounge, buffets and refreshments, mini-spa treatments, deluxe hotel accommodations, round-trip airfare and lots of other perks. If you're headed to Lollapalooza, you could be a winner, too! Honda is eco-partnering with Lollapalooza's popular Rock & Recycle Program. Festival attendees will have the opportunity to win a new 2010 Insight by completing a series of eco-mindful activities. You can get details at the Lollapalooza Web site. &Christina

Music for Everyone

Wed, 13 May 2009 15:09:12 GMT

We've talked a lot about the Insight's affordability and efficiency on this blog, both of which, naturally, we are very proud of here at Honda. But now it's time to let our hair down a little bit and talk about something fun: music! Since the Insight is the car for everyone, we wanted to make sure we included music for everyone. That's why an MP3/auxiliary input jack is standard on the LX, plus plenty of extras. To take full advantage, visit Yahoo! New Now to learn about new music, then head on over to MySpace to pick up some free downloads. The Insight can also take you and your friends to where the music is. Honda is an eco-conscious music partner for the hottest summer music festivals this year. For starters, groove and go green from August 7&9 at the Lollapalooza Music Festival in Grant Park, Chicago. In between shows, stroll down Green Street and learn simple and effective ways to live a life more green. This year, Lollapalooza is 100-percent carbon neutral. You can get details about Rock & Recycle at the Lollapalooza Web site and learn about the chance to win a 2010 Insight. Still can't get enough music in your life? Follow the Insight to the next stop on our musical tour: the Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival October 2&4. Another carbon-neutral green venue, the festival encourages carpooling, recycling and the purchase of $3 carbon offsets. At the ACL, no green stone is left unturned&from merchandise to hand sanitizer. The Insight wishes you a very musical summer! &Christina

Best Earth Day Ever!

Tue, 05 May 2009 14:22:12 GMT

Turns out, the only place to be on Earth Day this year was the Honda Earth Day Insight Homecoming and Launch Event at Honda Center! It was a gloriously sunny day in Anaheim as I watched the first-generation Insights roll in. Some passionate Insight owners came from as far away as Delaware, Michigan, Connecticut and Florida! We had some celebrities in our midst, too, such as Wayne Gerdes&the man who coined the term "hypermiler" and who had nothing but praise for Honda and the Insight. Also in attendance was John Johnson&better known by this crowd as "Insightman." He drove all the way from Ann Arbor, Michigan to attend the festivities. Kurt Antonius, Assistant Vice President, Public Relations for American Honda welcomed the crowd, saying, "This is indeed history.and you are all pioneers." He stated that the quest for fuel-efficient vehicles is not a marketing ploy, but "part of Honda's DNA." Soon the general public began flooding in for delicious food, fun sweepstakes prizes, and of course the opportunity to test-drive the all-new Insight. Signs around the course advised Insight test drivers to try the car with Econ& mode* on and off, and to experiment with other features. Everyone I spoke with after the drive was surprised with the Insight's smooth handling and economical price. All in all it was a great day for everyone. But the sun shone a little brighter for sweepstakes winner Richard Wada of Orange, California. He got the keys to a brand-new 2010 Insight! Congratulations, Richard. And thanks to all who came out for the fun. &Christina * Eco Assist& is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval.

The Insight loves free speech

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:26:25 GMT

As an employee of Honda, I know the Insight lives up to Honda's reputation of making reliable, economical, safe and fun-to-drive automobiles. Like any new car launch, you're never sure when the car will receive praise from the media. In the case of the 2010 Insight, it happened pretty quickly. I must say the media response has been as positive as any launch I've worked on. It's even more impressive when you consider the fact that the all-new Insight is competing against hybrids with higher price tags. In light of this, I was happy to see how well the Insight fared in the comparison tests done by both Edmunds Inside Line and Motor Trend&two highly respected publications. Although I'm pleased to see that the Insight has essentially passed the media test, I'm waiting to see if our newest hybrid is as big of a hit in America as it is in Japan. On a side note, I'm curious to see if the import tuner crowd will adopt Insight as a platform for customization. Tuned Insights would be totally unconventional and could be pretty cool. Only time will tell. &Sage

Global Exposure

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:27:48 GMT

The Insight is a global model, meaning aside from a few regional tweaks, it's basically the same car in any country it's sold. That being said, it's really interesting to see how different the commercials are that have aired globally since the launch. There's a good chance many of you have already seen the first three Insight commercials to be aired in the States: Unless you've spent time in Europe recently, you probably haven't seen the Insight commercial they are being exposed to over there: As you can see, the Insight really is "for everyone." --Sage

Feeling Lucky?

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:34:47 GMT

You knew the Insight was affordable, but did you know you could actually get one for $100? Well, one of you can&but you'll have to buy the winning ticket. Still&an Insight hybrid for a hundred! Who is making such a thing possible you might ask? In the spirit of change, Liberty Hill, a Los-Angeles-based foundation on the frontlines of change, is hosting its annual Upton Sinclair dinner on May 14, 2009. And the all-new Insight is an honored guest. Honda is providing Liberty Hill with a brand-new Insight EX with navigation as the grand prize in their raffle, and tickets are only $100 each. So take a chance on one of the most affordable and dependable hybrids around. Each ticket you buy helps support social change by directly funding it. The drawing is held on May 14, 2009, so be sure to enter before 5 p.m. on May 13. Hope to see you there! &Christina

Viva Earth Day

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:08:41 GMT

Earth Day is an often-mentioned yet rarely celebrated holiday. This year, Honda aims to change that with the Earth Day Insight Launch Event. At the Honda Center on April 22, the agenda will include test drives of the new Insight, tips on green living, complimentary refreshments, and&get this&a brand-new Insight will be given to one lucky winner. If you're the owner of a first-generation Insight, take a road trip to the Honda Center for the Insight Homecoming, also happening on April 22. Registration is easy; just fill out this simple online form. The schedule goes like this: 9:00 A.M. & Insight Homecoming 10:00 A.M.&2:00 P.M. & Earth Day Insight Launch Event If you'd like a chance to win the all-new Insight, please visit the OC Register Web site for information and entry forms. At last, you'll have an answer to the annual "what are you doing for Earth Day" question. - Christina

Moonroof and LEDs

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 14:33:57 GMT

We've had some questions about why we're not currently offering the Insight with a moonroof, and also about where those cool LED lights went that we featured on the concept vehicle. There's a very good reason why these features were not included on the 2010 Insight. In fact, there are two good reasons: expense and efficiency. Both the moonroof and the LED lights, though very cool, add significantly to the cost of the vehicle. The weight of the moonroof can also reduce the vehicle's fuel efficiency. After weighing the customer benefits, cost implications and the vehicle's overall purpose, we decided not to offer LED headlights or a moonroof. Ultimately, the Insight is about affordability and efficiency, so these features didn't make the cut this time around. Thanks for your interest! &Dave

See It on the Street!

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:32:07 GMT

Seen any 2010 Insights on the streets yet? They went on sale Tuesday, March 24, and judging from the comments on our Facebook page, the dealers have been busy with test drives and sales. With a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $19,800 [1] for the Insight LX, you're sure to spot more of them soon. And don't forget, if you want to add features like alloy wheels, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an upgraded audio system with six speakers, and a USB audio interface [3], you can upgrade to the Insight EX with an MSRP of $21,300 [1]. By the way, I hope you like the new home for our Latest Insight blog&right here inside the new Insight Web site. Take a look around while you're here. And we have more good stuff planned&interactive demos and such&so you can get an even better understanding of the hybrid for everyone. In the meantime, check out some new video from Motor Trend. &Dave [1] MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $750.00 destination charge and options. Dealer prices may vary. [2] Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel-economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle. [3] The USB Audio Interface is used for direct connection to and control of some current digital audio players and other USB devices that contain MP3, WMA& or AAC music files. Some USB devices with security software and digital rights-protected files may not work. Please see your dealer for details on compatibility.

Eco Assist™ Explained

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 14:18:52 GMT

Back in the 1970s, when true anti-lock braking systems (ABS) were introduced, some drivers were skeptical of the idea that a computer might be able to apply the brakes better than they could. Today, ABS has become standard equipment on many cars, helping countless people avoid collisions. In the same vein, the new Eco Assist&[1] system on the 2010 Insight is the equivalent of a computerized helping hand&or a built-in hypermiling tutor. It uses two basic components to help you drive more efficiently.[2] If you want to save fuel but find it difficult to drive efficiently, just press the green ECON& button [1] on the instrument panel. This simple action modifies key systems within the vehicle for maximum efficiency.[2] The Eco Assist&[1] feedback function informs you with visual cues about your level of driving efficiency, whether you've pressed the ECON& button[1] or not. When you're driving efficiently, the speedometer background color is green, but if you rapidly increase throttle input, the color turns to blue. As you drive more efficiently over time, you are rewarded with leaf icons and an overall score shown on the Multi-Information Display (MID). Eco Assist&[1] demonstrates and assists the driver's integral role in fuel efficiency.[2] - William [1] The Eco Assist symbol and Eco Assist are trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval. [2] 40 city/43 hwy/41 combined mpg. Based on 2010 EPA mileage estimates, reflecting new EPA fuel-economy methods beginning with 2008 models. Use for comparison purposes only. Do not compare to models before 2008. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle.

Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:23:30 GMT

LA Auto Show