Honda To Drop Accord Hybrid

June 06, 2007

According to an article by Peter Valdes-Dapeno at cnnmoney.com, the next-generation Honda Accord (due to hit dealerships in September) will not be available to consumers with a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.

According to Honda spokesperson Chris Naughton, "We have found that our hybrid system works better on smaller cars." According to Dapeno's article, hybrids accounted for 14 percent of Camrys sold in May, but just 1.4 percent of Accords. Honda has promised a new hybrid model in 2009, saying it will be smaller and less expensive than the Civic Hybrid.

Honda continues to produce other alternate-fuel vehicles, including both a hybrid and natural-gas-powered versions of the Honda Civic.

Additionally, Honda Civic GX buyers may be eligible for a $4,000 federal tax credit when they file their tax return for the year in which the vehicle was purchased. Buyers of Honda's natural gas vehicle home refueling appliance "Phill" might also be eligible for up to a $1,000 tax credit. Honda is currently the only manufacturer to market a natural gas passenger car to fleet operators nationwide and directly to consumers in the states of California and New York.

Consumers looking for a larger-size hybrid-powered vehicle may also consider the Ford Escape SUV or Mercury Mariner SUV, Toyota Camry sedan or Highlander SUV, Lexus GS 450h sedan or RX 400h, or the Saturn Vue Greenline SUV.

By Brandy Schaffels
Contributing editor