Unveiled just a while ago at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Honda’s new Insight Hybrid is now on sale in Japan. The base version of the five-door hatch will set you back a modest 1,900,000 Yen to close to $20,500.00. Honda had previously announced they plan on introducing the Insight to the United States for less than $20,000.

On a related note, the USA Today is reporting hybrid car sales are suffering in the recession. The Toyota Prius has seen January sales drop 28.6% versus January of last year. Add lower gas prices into the mix and it makes more sense to buy a gasoline powered compact car… if at all.

HONDA PRESS RELEASE

TOKYO, Japan, February 5, 2009 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced today that the all-new Insight hybrid vehicle will go on sale in Japan on Friday, February 6, 2009. A five-door, five-passenger compact hatchback starting at an affordable ¥1,890,000*1, the Insight features a lightweight, compact hybrid system that combines exceptional fuel economy with fun-to-drive performance.

Designed to set the standard for compact cars for a new era, the Insight combines outstanding environmental performance with fun, responsive driving and efficient, versatile packaging. The all-new Honda Insight was developed with the goal to provide these attributes in a car that is affordable to more customers.

Offering customers exceptional fuel economy, the Insight features a newly developed hybrid system including a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine and Honda’s proprietary Integrated Motor Assist (IMA). To further support fuel-efficient driving, the Insight features the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist) as standard equipment on all models.

* The name Insight was chosen to denote that this new vehicle provides “insight” into a new era in which hybrid vehicles come within reach of most car buyers.

*1 Manufacturer’s suggested retail price including consumption tax for the G-type

[NihonCar]