Honda to halt production of CR-Z hybrid sports car

by Kyodo News

TOKYO - Honda Motor Co said Thursday it will halt production of the CR-Z hybrid sports car by the end of this year due to sluggish sales.

The CR-Z, which was released in February 2010 and later acclaimed as the best passenger car in Japan, had sold a total of about 40,000 units by last month, against the Japanese automaker's initial target of global annual sales of about 40,000 to 50,000 units.

Honda launched the hybrid sports car with the aim of revitalising a shrinking sports car market, with car ownership among young people declining. The CR-Z won the title of Car of the Year Japan for 2010-2011.

"We made a comprehensive judgment, including sales condition," the automaker said regarding its decision to terminate production of the vehicle.

Prior to the halt of production, Honda will release on Friday a CR-Z with special features such as black interior and embroidery logos on car seats, priced at around 2.8 million yen (920,000 baht).

Source;
http://www.bangkokpost.com/auto/news/1005865/honda-to-halt-production-of-cr-z-hybrid-sports-car