October 15, 2012: Honda has announced that its cumulative worldwide sales of hybrid vehicles broke the one-million mark at the end of September 2012. This milestone was reached almost 13 years after sales began of the first- generation Honda Insight in Japan in November 1999. The first-generation Insight (pictured below) achieved fuel economy of 35km/litre which was the world's highest fuel economy among all mass-production petrol-powered vehicles at the time.
Hybrid is an essential step from the internal combustion engine towards full Electric Vehicles and Honda believes this technology will play an increasingly important role. Building on the unique features of its original lightweight and compact IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) hybrid system, Honda has been enhancing its hybrid vehicle line-up and currently sells eight hybrid models in approximately 50 countries around the world including three hybrid models in Europe.
Honda is developing its hybrid technologies to meet differing customer demands. By further advancing its current one-motor IMA hybrid system, it will aim to achieve number one fuel economy among all hybrid vehicles. In addition, the carmaker will introduce a new two-motor hybrid system for mid-size models and an efficient, high-output three-motor hybrid system, the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive), which delivers both superior handling and excellent fuel economy. This system will be applied to the new NSX which will be sold in Europe.