As if the demand isn't high enough relative to supply, Honda is starting to aggressively advertise the HCH II....I saw an occasional ad on TV but check out this week's TIME (I know, most of us lean a little left and prefer Newsweek)- there is a 2 page spread just inside the front cover.

Car advertising is probably targeted at people who are thinking of buying in the next six months or so. Maybe Honda thinks demand will slacken by then compared to supply. Also, such advertising may be targeted at improving overall corporate image, and the HCH is a very nice feather in Honda's cap.

2006 HCH Alabaster Silver w/Navi
2003 Honda Accord LX

IMO it's more of a PR move then about selling the HCH-II. They know that gas is a hot button right now so they are getting the message out that big "H" Honda is the answer. I haven't seen the ad so this is just a guess. A while back H was talking about curtailing hybrid production but now it looks like they're riding the wave.

...and they can keep the prices and profits up...

Actually Honda may have made the ad buys some 3-4 months ago when gas was a little cheaper. I know we typically make our buying plan some 3-6 months in advance. Sure they can swap them, but as others said, it's a feather in the cap-and it will get people into the dealer-even if they have none to sell! Perhaps they will get them an upsell to an Accord Hybrid (which needs a little push) or another Honda.

Speak for yourself....on both points.


Dan