Honda Civic hybrid to hit Chinese market by year-end

Shanghai. October 18 (Gasgoo.com) - Honda Civic hybrid will be imported into Chinese market by the end of this year, a senior Dongfeng Honda official said during an after sales service competition program.

"The after sales training program for this hybrid vehicle model is now under way," said Liu Yuhe, deputy general manager of Dongfeng Honda.

Similar to Toyota Prius, a hybrid vehicle which entered Chinese market by the end of 2005, Honda Civic hybrid has a two-engine system. The hybrid engine system mounted on Civic is Honda's second generation of hybrid engine system, which consists of a 1.3 Liter 3i-VTEC gasoline engine and IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) system.

According to experts, the hybrid vehicle boasts half the fuel consumption of a normal 1.8 liter petrol vehicle, over the same distance.

In terms of pricing, Honda Civic hybrid is priced at US$22,000-25,000. "Hybrid vehicles are much more expensive than regular gasoline engine powered vehicles," said Liu Yuhe.

Under an agreement between Dongfeng Honda and Beijing International Marathon, Dongfeng Honda will provide five Honda Civic hybrids for Beijing International Marathon and this will be the first batch of Honda Civic hybrid vehicles to enter China.

The first Hybrid vehicle that entered Chinese market is Toyota Prius, which started production in Changchun-based FAW-Toyota at the end of 2005. But the sales of this hybrid vehicle are abysmally small.

In the first nine months this year, Toyota Prius sold only 283 units in China. Experts say disappointing sales of Toyota Prius is a result of its prices. It is too expensive and China has not yet offered substantial policy incentives to its manufacturers and customers.