Honda Motor Co. threw the spotlight Thursday on its new Insight hybrid, which goes on sale Friday, hoping its cheaper price challenges the gasoline-electric hybrid market dominance of Toyota Motor Corp.'s Prius.
But recession-hit buyers may want to hold off until April, when they stand to save over ¥100,000 in taxes.
The eagerly awaited Insight is smaller, lighter and less expensive than the Prius, the world's top-selling hybrid. With the Insight, Honda said it is aiming to change people's perceptions of hybrids being too expensive.