Honda’s one million marks milestone in hybrid car market

Honda Motor announced today that its cumulative worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles surpassed 1 million units as of the end of September 2012.

This milestone was reached 12 years and 11 months after the start of sales of the first generation Insight in Japan November 1999, which realized fuel economy of 35 km/litre then the world’s highest fuel economy among all mass-production gasoline-powered vehicles.

“Capitalizing on the features of Honda’s original lightweight and integrated motor assist hybrid system, Honda has been enhancing its hybrid vehicle lineup,” the company said in a press release. It currently sells eight hybrid models in approximately 50 countries.

In May of this year, Honda began production of hybrid models in regions outside of Japan with production of the Acura ILX Hybrid in the US followed by production of the Jazz Hybrid which began in Thailand in July of this year. Honda is also planning to begin production of the Jazz Hybrid in Malaysia in 2012 to deliver hybrid vehicles with speed, affordability and low CO2 emissions for customers in Asia where demand for fuel efficient vehicles is expected to grow in the future.

According to nextgreencar, a trade specialist, hybrid vehicles tend to have lower CO2 emissions due to their improved fuel economy. Other emissions are also reduced as the engine loading is better managed than is the case in conventional petrol and diesel cars.

Honda also said it will introduce new hybrid vehicles for mid-size models which will be equipped with a two-motor hybrid system. Under the global environmental slogan of “Blue Skies for Our Children,” Honda plans to continue its efforts to realize the further market penetration of hybrid vehicles.