Honda advanced i MMD technology signals end to 15 year Insight run

We've spoken with several “Insight” owners of late. The commonality shared by this widely diverse group is that they love the car. Unfortunately, looking to 2013 sales numbers at fewer than 5,000 units sold in North America, Honda could no longer financially justify the import of a 15th model year.

Mary Griffin of Eugene, Oregon traded in her Acura T.L. for a 2013 Insight. The car is a nice looking light powder blue with plenty of chrome accent. We spoke with Mary at a local shopping center; she was happy to share her ownership experience with Torque News- Honda.

While we find the prospective performance transition from an Acura T.L.(260 hp) to the mild-mannered Insight(98 hp) to be a bit deflating, Mary assured Torque News that the Insight provided more than adequate performance while averaging 38 mpg around town.

Living in a hilly neighborhood, Mary believes that her average in- town mpg would be higher on flatter terrain.

Where the car shines for her is on a bi-monthly commute to Seattle Washington. Mary can make the 290 mile drive on 6.5 gallons of unleaded regular gas. “That’s why I bought the Insight.”
“ Yes, It does have to work a bit harder when passing at highway speeds and climbing steep grades.” But, I rarely have to downshift, and I don’t miss the stiff suspension and seating of the Acura T.L.,” says Mary.

So, what happened to the sales momentum of the Insight?

While the Insight did successfully return from a 2009-10 re-design mandated manufacturing hiatus, sales numbers failed to substantially increase. Aging technology, stiff competition from the Toyota Prius,a very competitive Hybrid entry-level market, a substandard Hybrid fuel economy and performance killed the Insight in North America.

According to American Honda Motors, the Insight will not be returning in 2015.

While Honda has not identified a replacement for this much loved Hybrid icon, Michael Accavitti, senior vice president of automotive operations; American Honda, underlines Honda’s commitment to future automotive hybrid development.

Pointing the the success of the i MMD powered 2014 Accord and Accord Hybrid, Honda has committed to the expanded use of the two motor electric hybrid system throughout the line.

We believe that i MMD “Earth Dreams” technology represents the future for affordable, hyper-fuel efficient hybrids and will be utilized in the 2016 Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline.

Short of the timely implementation of FCEV , i MMD is proving to be a viable path to near zero emissions while meeting or beating legislative mandated fuel efficiency. As reported earlier, the Japanese model CVT Fit Hybrid has recorded 70 mpg in real world testing.

Honda states that the Insight will be available in North America through the end of 2014.

If you’re fortunate enough to locate a 2013 or 14 Insight on the back lot of your local Honda Dealer, you will find the car to be a very viable, affordable ($18900) alternative to an Accord, Civic or Toyota Prius “ C”. While they’re a bit “ dogie” on the performance end, the car screams Japanese build Honda quality while delivering a very reasonable 40+ city mpg.