While not as near as successful as its native rival Toyota when it comes to hybrid models, Honda remains a major player in the category having recently topped the 800,000 sales mark.
As we learned today, the milestone came at the end of December 2011 and was achieved 12 years and 2 months after Honda launched the first generation of its Insight hybrids in Japan in November 1999. For the record, last April Toyota sold its 1 millionth Prius in the States.
The first Insight delivered a fuel economy of 35km/liter (equal to 82.3mpg US or 2.9lt/100km) on the Japanese driving cycle, lending it the title of the most fuel-efficient gasoline-powered model of its time – according to Honda.
Over the years, Honda added more hybrid models to its lineup including the Civic Hybrid and Accord Hybrid, both equipped with its compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, while more recently, the Japanese carmaker debuted a new Insight hatchback and the CR-Z sports hatch.
Honda’s current global range includes seven hybrids, while the company plans to introduce the first Acura hybrid based on the ILX compact sedan in the States this spring.
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