New Honda Hybrid System Likely to Cost 50% Less than Civic Hybrid’s
30 July 2008
Tech-On. The cost for the hybrid system in Honda’s coming dedicated hybrid model (earlier post) is likely to be about 50% lower than that of the Civic Hybrid, according to Honda’s Executive Vice President Koichi Kondo.
Kondo made this announcement at the company’s financial results meeting for the first fiscal quarter.
Honda announced it will employ the “IMA” (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, which is already adopted in the existing models, for the hybrid-only model. The company is, however, likely to sharply reduce the cost of the IMA being developed for the hybrid-only model by reviewing its concept and seeking a smaller, lighter and simpler system structure, [Kondo] said.
“The system’s cost itself, excluding the (subsidiary) effects of standardizing components, for example, differs (from the cost of other systems seen in the Civic Hybrid, etc),” Kondo said.
It'll be interesting to see what the mileage is for this vehicle when it comes out. If they can really sell it for $18k starting (versus $21k or $22k starting for the Prius) and be competitive in gas economy with next years Prius (new model), Honda might have a hit on its hands (even if the hybrid tech is not as elegant as Toyota's). It'll also be interesting to see what this does to the Civic Hybrid's sales numbers.
Posted by: Sasparilla | 30 July 2008 at 09:58 AM
At $18,000 this could be the magic price point that breaks hybrid cars into the mainstream. Honda know the drive train is just one factor out of many that determines success. Working at a price point below Prius should turn out to be a very good idea.
Posted by: Lulu | 30 July 2008 at 10:24 AM
Toyota is also cost-reducing HSD, so it's not clear this buys Honda anything. IMA uses a normal transmission, which puts it at a cost disadvantage vs. HSD. You can't fix this by moving down-market. You might be able to fix it by going upmarket -- make the battery and electric motor big enough to eliminate the transmission.
Posted by: doggydogworld | 30 July 2008 at 12:48 PM
Normal transmissions expensive?
I think the HSD might be more costly.
If for no other reason than economy of scale.
Posted by: ToppaTom | 30 July 2008 at 09:59 PM
ToppaTom, PSD is a fixed planetary gear you can hold in your hand. An auto tranny weighs a couple hundred pounds and is chock full of planetaries, hydraulic clutches (bands), a torque converter, etc.
Of course the PSD is pretty useless by itself -- you need the motor/generators. But hybrids have motor/generators anyway.
Posted by: doggydogworld | 31 July 2008 at 07:50 AM
IMA uses a CVT transmission. Doesn't the Prius use the same?
Posted by: Path_Tech | 31 July 2008 at 04:43 PM
HSD = Hybrid Synergy Drive
Got it!
Posted by: Path_Tech | 31 July 2008 at 04:47 PM