Honda Hybrid Hits 100

Honda's environmentally-friendly Hybrid, launched in August 2007, has hit its 100th sale in Malaysia.

One of the first 100 owners of the 2nd Generation Civic Hybrid, Michelle Lu and her husband Jack Ma said that it makes them feel good knowing that they are helping the environment by using a hybrid car. "The Civic Hybrid is good for the environment and it uses less fuel," they said.

Ironically the Civic Hybrid was not Lu's top choice when she was shopping for a car but she gave in to her husband's selection. She soon changed her mind after driving the Civic Hybrid for less than two months. 

"When we first got the Civic Hybrid, our friends asked us why, because like myself, they too have the perception that it is a low capacity car with only a 1.3 litre engine and has no power. My perception has definitely changed now. I am very impressed as there is pick-up and it gives good speed performance. In fact, it drives like a 1.8L vehicle and it is so much smoother and quieter," Lu said.

Civic Hybrid owners can be proud of the fact that by simply driving the car, they are each reducing their carbon footprint by 1 tonne a year. Collectively, they take credit for the 100 tonnes lesser carbon footprint that they leave behind as compared to driving a normal (combustion) car.

Without sacrificing on either appearance or performance, the Civic Hybrid can give up to 31 km/litre mainly due to its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system that works cohesively with a 1.3 litre 3-stage i-VTEC engine. It reduces fuel burning and thus, reducing the amount of CO2 emitted into the environment.

The Civic Hybrid 1.3 litre 3-stage i-VTEC + IMA is sold for RM129, 980 in Malaysia.