Orders for Honda's Insight hybrid top 21,000 in 6 weeks+

TOKYO, March 25 Kyodo - Honda Motor Co. has received orders for more than 21,000 units of the Insight hybrid hatchback since its showroom debut around six weeks ago on Feb. 6, far more than the monthly sales target of 5,000 units, company officials said
Wednesday.

The figure was revealed as Japan's second-largest automaker allowed a group of
journalists to inspect its factory in Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, where the Insight
is being assembled.
The base grade model of the Insight retails for 1.89 million yen, compared with
2.33 million yen for the base grade model of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius hybrid
hatchback.
The officials emphasized that the automaker has succeeded in limiting the
Insight's price by boosting production efficiency and minimizing the weight of
components.
Honda has said that the five-door hatchback has been well received by a wide
variety of customers, including young singles and seniors seeking a family car,
thanks to its high fuel economy and ''affordable'' price.
The new hybrid became the 10th best seller among non-minivehicles in Japan in
February, with monthly sales of 4,906 units, according to the Japan Automobile
Dealers Association.
The Insight made a strong debut at a time when the overall auto industry is
facing a sharp downturn in sales amid the global economic slump.
==Kyodo