US sales of Honda Accord hybrid delayed

Japanese carmaker Honda has a loyal following in United States for both its conventional fuel and hybrid cars. However sales of its recently launched Accord Hybrid variant have been hampered due to limited stocks and also lack of spare parts. However customers are willing to wait for their chance to buy this vehicle.  This has led to fall in sales of this model accounting for mere 2414 units between October 2013 and Feb 2014 in United States alone though it managed to supply around 6000 units in Japan within first three months of launch. Honda is struggling hard to meet demands of potential buyers in United States who are keen on Hybrid Accord after test drive.

According to Honda, the Accord Hybrid is in short supply within United States Honda is concentrating on meeting demands of home market first as spare parts like electrical components, batteries, engine parts etc. are easy to source when compared to United States. Its technological competence has won the Honda Accord Hybrid coveted award of “Best Car to Buy” beating strong competitors Chevrolet Spark electrical vehicle, Chevrolet Cruze diesel along with BMW i3 electric vehicle. The style and comfort level of Honda Accord Hybrid is far above its closest competitors therefore buyers are keen on waiting for their personal cars.

This 2014 Honda Accord now available in United States is its seventh generation model while hybrid variant is third generation model with modification made to suit local requirements to increase popularity. The Honda Accord hybrid is being built exclusively in its Sayama production unit at japan therefore there is delay in supply to United States. It is powered by iVTEC engine with five speed automatic transmission that collates power of integrated motor assist electric engine which provides torque of 315 Nm. The exterior of new hybrid model have been lightly modified to include amber colored turn signals instead of previous red turn signals. The Honda Accord Hybrid in United States is being offered in three trims with varied power combinations and comfort features thereby increasing its popularity more than Toyota.

Honda has designed the latest Accord Hybrid based on Earth Dreams concept which favors improving efficiency of internal combustion objects like engine and transmission along with electric motor therefore this 2014 model consumes less fuel and also has lesser carbon emissions. The elegant power mechanism of Accord Hybrid is referred to as Motor Hybrid Intelligent Multi Mode Drive by Honda’s engineers, which is powered by Atkinson cycle operation implemented for first time by Honda. The mechanism of Accord’s hybrid car is a little similar to Chevrolet Volt wherein gas engine powered motor delivers power to propulsion motor which turns front wheels. Due to unprecedented demand for this model in Japan, Honda is unable to meet demands of American buyers and sold only around 3000 units since launch. According to company sources a major reason for the slowdown in deliveries to locations outside Japan is because the manufacturer did not build up inventories before official release. The production of Honda Accord Hybrid was on rolling release i.e. cars were being made in a cyclical manner therefore the shortfall in supply.