Honda Australia’s new HR-V will be the next model offered with a hybrid powertrain to compliment the Accord, and demand for the petrol-electric hybrid crossover has already proved strong ahead of its launch next week.
According to Honda Australia, the wait times for a 2022 HR-V e:HEV L already stretches to four months, as more and more buyers consider hybrid vehicles in the face of rising petrol prices.
The brand is working with its factory in Japan to secure more stock, but as it stands, you’ll have to wait until September for delivery if you order a HR-V hybrid today.
However, despite the strong demand, the percentage mix of hybrid to petrol for the HR-V is expected to be relatively low, according to Honda Australia boss Stephen Collins.
“Our forecast wih HR-V is around 35 per cent of the volume will be the hybrid,” he said.
“Right now, at launch timing, it is stronger than that, but we think that will settle.
“I think there’s no question that that percentage for the industry and for Honda will grow.”
Whereas Toyota’s RAV4, which counted 72.3 per cent of its sales last year as hybrid, Mr Collins said the small crossover market that the HR-V plays in is yet to embrace petrol-electric power.
“The reality is in the small SUV market, right now, I think 95 per cent of sales are still petrol,” he said.
“I think its going to grow, and there’s no doubt customers are becoming a lot more familiar [with hybrid] and particularity when you get that value equation right.”
For reference, the HR-V e:HEV L is priced at $45,000 driveaway, and competes against the Toyota C-HR Hybrid (from $37,665 before on-road costs) and the Kia Niro Hybrid (from $39,990).
Similarly, Mr Collins expects the incoming Civic hybrid hatchback to also boast a comparable 35 per cent mix with its petrol counterpart.
“We think its going to be similar, but again at launch timing we tend to be richer towards hybrid,” he said.
“Over the next few years that will richen up and also I think over the next number of years depending on what the federal government does with CO2 mandating will determine the acceleration of hybrid and also the electric future.”
Keyword: 2022 Honda HR-V hybrid e:HEV L wait times already months long as latest Toyota C-HR and Kia Niro rival hits the market