Honda’s fuel-cell car looking for a British family home
Honda Motor Co has said that it would be in a position to start marketing the hybrid version of its Fit subcompact car as early as 2008, according to Nihon Keizai Shimbun. The report did not name any sources, but said that the Japanese auto giant was all set to sell the first hybrid car for under 2 million yen. Honda intends to sell this hybrid car for 1.4 million yen, the report said.
Honda is also offering a British family the chance to test its hydrogen- powered fuel cell car. This concept has already been tried successfully with a Californian family and Honda now wants to extend this concept in Britain as well.
The company had showcased a Honda FCX Concept vehicle at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this month and had said that the prototype vehicle displayed at the show would be mass produced in three to four years time. The FCX Concept uses hydrogen in the vehicle to produce electricity to propel the car.
“We are the only manufacturer that has this car,â€? the company said. “There are 20 driving around, mainly in America and Japan. It is not a concept, it is a real certified car and it makes sense to bring it to Britain.â€? The company has not yet offered any other details, but the ideal British family would use the car to go to work, for shopping trips and travel during holidays.
The company has not offered details since no final decision on the project has been made. If it concludes that it would be a costly experiment, then the project would be shelved. On the other hand if it decides to go ahead, then the family, which is chosen to run the car would be provided its own refueling station, according to the Times.