Honda Insight picks up 500 bookings
Honda Malaysia today released an announcement that the all-new Insight hybrid has received a total of 500 bookings just 10 days after its launch at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show 2010 (KLIMS ’10). Priced at RM98,000 on-the-road with insurance, the Insight is easily the most affordable hybrid-powered vehicle in Malaysia, and consumers have indeed responded enthusiastically.
In 2009, the total industry volume (TIV) was 505,509 units. Out of that, hybrid vehicles accounted for only 297 units. Today, the confirmed bookings of the All-New Insight alone have already exceeded the total hybrid vehicles sales in 2009 by 40%. Deliveries of the Insight will start on 15 February 2011, and Honda pledges to meet these first 500 bookings within a month of that date.
“We are pleased to learn that Honda’s quest to create a green product that not only the affluent can afford but a widely used hybrid model for everyone, has proven to be successful. With such an overwhelming response to the All-New Insight, we will have to further push the extra miles in our commitment towards Customer Satisfaction,” said Mr. Takeshi Hirano, Head of Sales and Marketing of Honda Malaysia.
The Insight was developed from the onset to be an affordable hybrid vehicle, which explains its low price point, even relative to the Civic Hybrid. Aware of concerns regarding potential maintenance costs, Honda Malaysia offers a 5-year / 140,000km warranty for the Insight’s battery on top of of a pledge to reduce prices of spare parts, especially the battery, by more than 40%.
Recently announced tax breaks for hybrid vehicles has seen this market niche gain popularity, and the Insight has become a clear benefactor, as Hirano notes, “We are very pleased with the government’s move to extend the tax incentives for hybrid vehicles as it has indeed made it more accessible for environmentally conscious Malaysians. These exemptions are very timely as Honda is looking into more exciting expansions in its hybrid vehicle line-up in Malaysia.”
