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Honda is commemorating a significant milestone: 25 years of hybrid-electric sales in the United States. The journey began in 1999 with the launch of the Honda Insight, the nation’s first mass-produced hybrid-electric vehicle. Today, hybrid models like the Civic, Accord, and CR-V make up over 25% of Honda brand sales, powered by the award-winning two-motor hybrid system. This achievement underscores Honda’s commitment to electrification as it progresses toward its 2050 goal of carbon neutrality.
Key Highlights:
- The first-generation Honda Insight debuted in 1999, remaining the most fuel-efficient non-BEV in U.S. history with an EPA highway mileage rating of 70 mpg.
- Honda’s current hybrid models, including the Civic, Accord, and CR-V, are powered by a two-motor hybrid system and are manufactured in North America.
- Hybrid trims now account for more than 50% of Accord and CR-V sales.
- Honda introduced its first all-electric SUV, the Prologue, and plans to begin production of original EVs by 2025.
Pioneering Hybrid Technology: The First Honda Insight
The first-generation Honda Insight, launched in December 1999, set new standards in fuel efficiency. It featured Honda’s innovative Integrated Motor Assist (IMA™) system paired with a 1.0-liter gasoline engine, making it the world’s smallest and lightest of its kind. The vehicle’s aerodynamic design and lightweight aluminum structure contributed significantly to its record-setting efficiency. The Insight’s body weighed nearly 50% less than a conventional steel frame yet delivered 38% higher torsional rigidity.
Manufacturing Excellence in North America
Honda’s hybrid-electric models are built at facilities across the U.S. and Canada, including:
- The CR-V hybrid, produced in Ohio, Indiana, and Ontario.
- The Accord hybrid, manufactured at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio.
- The Civic hybrid, assembled in Indiana and Ontario.
Additionally, Honda Power Unit Operations in Ohio manufactures the two-motor hybrid power units and the 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle engines that power these models.
The Path to Full Electrification
Honda’s electrification strategy aims for battery-electric and fuel-cell vehicles to make up 100% of global sales by 2040. Hybrids play a pivotal role in this transition, as seen in the success of the CR-V hybrid, America’s best-selling hybrid SUV, and the Accord hybrid, the nation’s top hybrid sedan. The upcoming 2025 Civic hybrid is expected to drive further growth in electrified vehicle sales.
Advancing the Future: Honda’s 0 Series
At CES 2024, Honda unveiled concept models from the upcoming Honda 0 Series, showcasing the company’s next-generation EV technologies. The first production model, the Honda 0 Series Saloon, is slated for a 2026 launch at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio. By 2030, Honda plans to introduce seven models globally, marking a significant step toward electrification.
Legacy of Innovation
Honda’s hybrid lineup has evolved over two decades, featuring models like the CR-Z, Clarity Plug-In Hybrid, and multiple generations of the Insight, Civic, and Accord hybrids. This progression highlights Honda’s enduring focus on creating clean, efficient, and innovative vehicles.
About Honda
Honda continues to lead with a comprehensive range of electrified vehicles, including the Prologue SUV, and hybrid-electric Civic, Accord, and CR-V models. With over 40 years of manufacturing in North America, Honda remains committed to sustainability, innovation, and delivering reliable vehicles to its customers. 99% of Honda vehicles sold in the U.S. are made in North America, with many built using domestic and globally sourced parts.
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