Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Schwa
Yeah, I was wondering why they didn't make an HAH with a small 4 cylinder engine, like the HCH. They do offer regular Accords with smaller engines (that get better economy than the hybrid) so why not a hybrid version of them? Seems a bit strange, but I suppose they didn't want to spend much on R&D or something, although you'd think it would be fairly simple given most of the design is the same as other products they offer. Perhaps they also were focused on the profit margin, considering highest trim models are where the most profit is made, it probably helped to balance out the additional costs of the hybrid system.
|
You hit the nail on the head......The Hybrid Revolution is in it's VERY early days, and to recoup extra cost of the Hybrid components and even APPROACH making a profit, Honda was required to "max out" the equipment for the HCH and the HAH, meaning the Hybrid was "above" the trim level of the "top of the line EX" model.
Someday that will change, and the smaller, less costly Hybrid models will hit the line. Toyota will probably be first, because they plan on offering "hybridization" as an option in all their cars within 10 years or so.