Honda records 7,000 CR-Z orders in Japan

Today, Honda announced that it has already managed to record 7,000 orders for the all-new CR-Z "sport hybrid" in Japan. Honda says its annual target is just 12,000 units, and the CR-Z has accumulated nearly 60 percent of expected orders since it went on sale on February 25, 2010.



Honda says that customers who have ordered the all-new sport-oriented gas-electric three-door hatchback will have to wait three months in order to take delivery on their purchase.

Although Honda has projected 12,000 annual sales for its home market of Japan, the automaker expects 15,000 annual sales for North America. The CR-Z offers 36 city and 38 highway miles per gallon via a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. Total power output is 122 horsepower and 128 lb-ft of torque.

Honda has recently received criticism for the CR-Z due to the lackluster fuel economy and performance numbers. Automotive News points out that the CR-Z is trying to be two things at once - sporty and fuel-efficient - and yet it fails at excelling at either. Other vehicles in the compact and subcompact segments are obtaining equal or better mileage without hybrid technology, and others yet are offering more performance at the same price point. The end result is a confused car that Honda executives almost didn't green-light for America.

"We had serious doubts about whether this would bring value, " said Norio Tomobe, chief engineer, while speaking to Automotive News.

Tomobe also suggested that he felt the CR-Z may be a bit underpowered, but a CR-Z Type R may come in the future to remedy that problem.

Honda also reported that sales have begun to dip for its other hybrid - the Insight. Honda attributes at least some of the dip to customers opting for the new CR-Z.

References
1. 'After a rocky start, Honda...' view
2. 'Honda CR-Z orders in Japan...' view