Honda Launches Refreshed Fit and New Fit Hybrid in Japan, Receives 10,000 Orders for Gas-Electric Model

Honda on Friday introduced the Japanese domestic market version of its new Fit (Jazz in Europe) Hybrid alongside the regular Fit model, which benefits from a minor cosmetic refresh and equipment upgrades for the 2011 model year.

The company's head of domestic sales, Hiroshi Kobayashi said Honda has already received 10,000 orders for the Fit Hybrid, which was given its world premiere at last week's Paris Motor Show.

The newly-added Fit Hybrid will be offered locally at the starting price of 1.59 million yen (about US$19,300 at today's exchange rates), making it the most affordable gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle in Japan.

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Honda Jazz Hybrid: More Details and New Photos Released ahead of Paris Show

Being that the 2010 edition of the Paris Auto Show is just around the corner, Honda has released a new batch of photos as well as a few more details on its new hybrid variant of the Jazz, which is called Fit in the U.S. and other markers.

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New Honda Fit / Jazz Hybrid: First Official Pictures, will Debut in Paris

These are the first official photos of Honda's Paris Motor Show-bound, Fit / Jazz Hybrid. Until recently, it was not clear if the subcompact hybrid model would be launched in markets outside Japan. And while now we know that the hybrid model will make its way to Europe with sales starting in early 2011, Honda officials have yet to announce any plans to offer the car in North America.

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New Honda Fit Hybrid to Launch in Japan this October as the Country's Cheapest Hybrid

Japan's Mainichi Shimbun daily reported that Honda will launch the long-awaited hybrid version of its Fit (Jazz in Europe) subcompact in the domestic market in October with prices set to start from around 1.6 million yen, or about US$18,900 / €14,500 at the current exchange rates, making it the country's most affordable hybrid model.

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New Honda Freed Spike "Lifestyle" Minivan Debuts in Japan

A new member has been added to the JDM Honda Freed family of compact minivans in Japan. Called the Freed Spike, the new model is being pitched by Honda as a "compact multi-wagon" for people with "active lifestyles". We remind you that the Freed is based on Honda's Jazz / Fit architecture. It was introduced in Japan in 2008 and is offered in five-, seven- and eight-seat versions, all of which feature sliding rear doors.

The new Freed Spike is available exclusively with two rows of seats for five passengers that can be arranged in several different configurations. Honda has added new dual-height floor panels in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.

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Beijing 2010: Honda Introduces Li Nian Everus Concept Sedan

For starters, there's nothing wrong with your eyes, the screen or the picture; the twin set of horizontal headlamps flanking either side of the Li Nian Everus concept's chrome-happy grille are the real deal.

Li Nian is a newly formed brand from Honda's China branch, Guangqi Honda, formerly known as Guangzhou Honda. The brand has showed two other concept models in the past, a compact-sized crossover and a sporty roadster.

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Honda Launches (Supposedly) Sporty-Looking Jazz Si Grade

A new set of shiny 16-inch alloy wheels along with a chrome sports front grille and rear spoiler, embroidered carpet mats and Si branding on the boot lid and glove box is what makes the new "Si" grade sporty and "appealing to young drivers who want their car to stand out from the crowd" in Honda UK's eyes.

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Honda Announces MUGEN Accessories for U.S.-Spec Accord Sedan at SEMA

Today at the SEMA Show, Honda previewed its new line of MUGEN accessories for the U.S. market 2010 Accord sedan that will be available on an a la carte basis through the firm's authorized dealers starting on November 11. The Japanese firm displayed an Accord sedan fitted with various goodies from its in-house tuner such as 18-inch alloy wheels, front sports grille, front under-spoiler, side skirts, rear apron, sports floor mats, machined aluminum oil filler cap and a unique front emblem.

Honda said that all of the painted Mugen parts will come color-matched to one of five popular colors for the Accord that include: Polished Metal Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl, Alabaster Silver Metallic, White Diamond Pearl and Taffeta White.

In addition to the Mugen-ized Accord sedan, Honda also displayed several other accessorized models including the Fit with MUGEN accessories, a Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Civic Si Sedan and a HFP Accord Coupe.

Honda Begins European Production of Jazz at Swindon Plant

No more "Made in Japan" Jazz models -at least for most European consumers- as the first British-built examples of the five-door hatchback have rolled off the production line at Honda's factory in Swindon. Up until now, all European market versions of the new Jazz were imported from Japan. Honda said that it aims to build around 20,000 units of the Jazz at its Swindon plant until the end of March 2010, with 75 per cent of these to be sold in the UK and the other 25 per cent planned for export to 55 countries across mainland Europe and other regions, including South Africa.

The Jazz will be built alongside the European-spec CR-V and the Civic models. The addition of Jazz brings the planned total production level for the Swindon factory in the current financial year that ends on March 31, 2010, to 100,600 units which is still well below the plant's full capacity according to Honda.

"We see this third model as a wonderful opportunity in the current climate and we're extremely proud to be building the Jazz here in Swindon," said David Hodgetts, Director at Honda of UK Manufacturing in Swindon.

"Shifting production to the UK is a real vote of confidence in all our Associates here in Swindon, and recognition of the high standards which we have been able to achieve at the plant," he added.