doha/TOKYO: The Committee of Japan Automotive Hall of Fame has awarded its Car of the Year 2009-2010 to the Honda Insight hybrid vehicle.

The non-profit organisation cited the following three factors in conferring the award to the Insight:

m The strategy of affordable pricing Honda used in marketing the hybrid Insight;

m The Insight’s balance of driving performance and environmental performance;

m The balance of performance and fuel economy at cruising and higher speeds offered by Integrated Motor Assist (IMA), Honda’s original hybrid system.

Designed to set the standard of compact cars for a new era, the Insight combines outstanding environmental performance based on Honda’s original hybrid system with a fun, responsive driving and an efficient, versatile packaging. In addition, the vehicle is affordably priced compared to the other entries considered.

“Honda has always been at the forefront of technology and environmental issues and this award is yet another testament to the pioneering spirit that is Honda. We are proud to carry the brand in Qatar recognised as one of the best not only in the automotive industry, but in the world at large” said Sales and Marketing Manager for DOMASCO-Honda, Greig Roffey.

Roffey said this award was proof that technology, innovation and corporate responsibility can work together, and when it does, everyone benefits.

“This is true of every Honda car we deliver to customers – our models have won awards in the Gulf and worldwide whether an Accord, CRV, Pilot or Jazz.

“We are pleased that Honda is once again recognised for its advance engineering, superb drive performance and social responsibility. We echo the same values at DOMASCO as reflected by our sales team and more importantly, our commitment to after market excellence”, he said.

Enthusiastically received by customers, in April 2009 the Insight became the first hybrid vehicle to achieve the status of the best-selling automobile among new vehicle registrations in Japan in a calendar month.