Honda Sneak Peek: The Fit?

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Credit Honda with not giving up very easily in what will definitely turn out to be a big fight: the sub $15,000 price tag range category of new automobiles. Presently, only a stripped down Civic competes in this location and I mean stripped: no a/c, fundamental tranny, no radio! With Toyota's Scion brand catching on Honda is seeking to fight back. A tiny automobile now on sale in Japan might soon locate its way to a dealership in your neighborhood helping to turn the tide for the revered automaker.

So, why the massive push in this "low-cost" category? Chiefly since automakers know that if young and initial time purchasers have a very excellent expertise with their entry level vehicles then more than most likely they will stay with the brand as their lives alter, i.e., get married, begin a family members, make a lot more cash, and so forth. This practice has been in place for years, despite the fact that not as extensively emphasized by all manufacturers and to their detriment.

Honda's extended time low price tag leader has always been the Civic. Introduced to the North American market place in 1971, the Civic was the original Honda for the western hemisphere and has been a value leader in its class for some time. Nonetheless, like the Toyota Corolla, the Civic has been gradually creeping up market becoming far better equipped and far more pricey. At least Toyota slipped in a new entry level automobile a handful of years back, the Echo, but Honda has been with no a single. In addition, Toyota launched an all new brand, Scion, in 2003 to capture a larger chunk of the youth market. So far, Scion has been a runaway achievement story.

Enter the Fit. Say, what?! Yes, a tiny Scion-like automobile sporting a 1.5L engine is currently navigating Japanese streets. However, the name is not catchy and likely will have to be changed after the automobile is imported to the US and body kits for cars Canada. Let's just say that some of the names that rhyme race parts with Fit are not specifically favorable. At least it isn't as clear as Daewoo's Charade a auto that truly lived up to its mustang cowl hood name!

We do not know a lot yet about the Fit other than to say that Honda knows that they want to respond to Toyota and soon. Honda does not appear willing to generate a separate brand to take on Scion, but a auto in the class of the Fit will support Honda capture a larger chunk of the all crucial youth market place. With styling cues reportedly related to the Scion xA, the "Fit" will likely be fitted into the bottom of the Honda line up. Paired with the Element, both vehicles will be perceived as correct Scion fighters. At least Honda hopes that you do.