Honda to Import 2,500 More Insight Hybrids

American Honda Motor Co. officials say they underestimated U.S. demand for the company’s Insight, a two-seat gas-electric hybrid, and will import an additional 2,500 cars from Japan this year to eliminate waiting lists. Initially, Honda had said it expected to sell only 4,000 Insights this year; the new sales target represents a 63% increase. Officials at the Torrance-based unit of Honda Motor Co. said dealers have sold 414 Insights since the limited-production cars began arriving in mid-December. Insights are priced from $18,880 to $20,080. The cars use an electric motor to boost power from a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine. Insight drivers say mileage averages about 55 mpg. Toyota Motor Corp. intends to start its five-passenger hybrid sedan, called Prius and priced around $20,000, in the U.S. this summer. Torrance-based Toyota Motor Sales USA said it expects to sell about 1,000 of its hybrid sedans a month.