Honda to make Accord Hybrid in China soon

Shanghai, July 8 (Gasgoo.com) Guangqi Honda Automobile Co., a joint venture between Guangzhou Auto and Honda Motor, is about to introduce the new Honda Accord Hybrid to China for local production, a person insider the company said recently.

Honda Accord Hybrid

Apart from the Honda Accord Hybrid, Guangqi Honda will also import and produce two more hybrid models Honda C-RZ and Honda Insight in 2012, and all the imported models will be featuring Honda's proprietary integrated motor assist (IMA) system.

As a hybrid vehicle version of the North American Honda Accord, the new Honda Accord Hybrid uses a more powerful engine than its non-hybrid counterpart. Equipped with the IMA system, the hybrid version provides slightly higher performance than the conventional V6-engined Accord.

The C-RZ and the Insight, which carry Honda's i-VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control) engine and an efficient electric motor as auxiliary power, sell pretty well in Japan. With the advanced i-VTEC technology, those models are not only environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient, but also pleasant in driving.

However, like other hybrid carmakers, Guangqi Honda is now mainly concerned about the high costs of the cars, said Yao Yiming, executive vice-president of the Chinese joint venture. At present, the most fuel efficient, mature and promising market is the hybrid vehicle market, but the top priority should be given to cost control if a company wants to promote its products extensively in the market.