Fit To Lead Honda's Quest For More North American Sales

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Honda is hoping that the next-generation Fit subcompact will see its volume nearly triple, going from 64,000 units per year to 200,000 by 2016.

Honda is targeting sales of 2 million units in North American by March, 2017. With sales currently resting at 1.7 million, responsibility for the sales increase would largely be up to the Fit.

The next Fit will have some advantages over the current car; production at Honda’s new Mexican factory will mean that the Fit won’t be hampered by poor exchange rates between the dollar and the yen, which make the Fit pricey, unprofitable and hard to come by at dealer lots. New technologies, body styles and fuel efficiency improvements will also be on offer without a substantial price increase, thanks to Mexican production.

Speaking to Automotive News, Honda President Takanobu Ito wouldn’t elaborate on the possible bodystyles, but did say that the next generation Fit Hybrid would be the first Honda to get a next generation IMA Hybrid system, with no carryover components from the previous generation. Unfortunately, we may not get the new Fit Hybrid either.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Acuraandy Acuraandy on Nov 05, 2012

    Hey Honda- Build a Fit with a 6 SPEED! for a decent price and gets 40+mpg, ill trade in my Accent (that I actually like and has been a good car) for one. Not gonna hold my breath tho, (see ILX)....

  • Tbone33 Tbone33 on Nov 05, 2012

    Two months ago both the Mazda3 i Touring with SkyActiv and Ford Focus SE hatch were WAY better equipped and significantly cheaper than the Fit Sport. If Honda doesn't fix the Fit's price, Honda will lose more prospective buyers than just me. Why all the hate for the Fit's styling? Considering the odd dimensions that make the car so good, I think the styling is great!

  • Speed3 Speed3 on Nov 06, 2012

    Kind of lofty goal. The best selling "subcompact" last month, the Nissan Versa, only moved 8,311 units and was the 40th best selling model. That tells you something about the total size of the subcompact pie (and I don't really count that Kia Soul and Nissan Cube as subcompact because, well, they aren't very compact!). The truth is, for just a few thousand more, you can get a compact car that is bigger, more luxurious and probably gets about the same mpg. Unless Honda can get the price down significantly, I don't see it hitting the 200k mark.

    • See 1 previous
    • Tbone33 Tbone33 on Nov 07, 2012

      Compacts can be had for less than the Fit because the Fit is the priciest subcompact, and Honda doesn't offer rebates. A Focus hatch can currently be had with $4k in rebates.

  • Ant Ant on Nov 06, 2012

    is there any other new cars being sold today with door handles like this fit in the picture? seem like honda just doesnt care about the little details anymore.

    • GarbageMotorsCo. GarbageMotorsCo. on Nov 06, 2012

      What's wrong with the door handles? They are low profile which should minimize (acutely) drag.

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