Honda Motor Company Plans Hybrid Resurgence Beginning in 2014

While Honda was the first to sell hybrid vehicles in the United States, competition from other companies has frequently topped the sales of Honda's hybrid models. The Honda Insight beat the Toyota to the US market by six months, but failed to present a compelling challenge to the Prius. John Mendel, executive vice president of Honda's US unit, has been quoted as saying that the time has come for Honda to really make a name for its hybrids. The company has always been known for fuel economy, but will now focus on marketing the Accord Hybrid, with an emphasis on relevance to the market and volume of sales. The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid will go on sale October 31. This hybrid model of Honda's flagship sedan will be rated as getting 50 miles per gallon in the city, and the price point will be comparable with the V-6 engine version of the Accord.

Based on US government tests, the Accord will get a combined 47 miles per gallon in city and highway driving, ranking it only behind the Prius, which gets 51 mpg in the city and a combined 50 mpg -- the best of any non-rechargeable US car. Ford and Toyota also offer competition to the Hybrid Accord, but Toyota's hybrid Camry averages a combined 41 mpg, while there has been controversy regarding whether Ford's Fusion Hybrid's mileage has been overstated. Honda believes that the Accord Hybrid will be an entry point to establish the company's expertise in development and manufacturing in the hybrid market. New hybrid models are in the works, and sales of hybrids are expected to hit record highs this year. Honda believes the new Hybrid Accord's features will make it a top contender, this time around.