Honda believes that fuel-cell-powered cars, and not hybrids or electric cars, are the ultimate mobility solution of the future.
This is according to its president Takanobu Ito, who was speaking at the CR-Z’s unveiling at the Geneva motor show.
Ito said that the firm would continue to offer a range of low CO2 powertrains for the future, but it would ultimately by fuel-cell vehicles, such as its FCX Clarity, that become the volume sellers in the future.
"We will continue to offer mobility solutions with low associated co2 emissions,” said Ito. "We believe that fuel cell cars are the ultimate solution. We have recently produced a solar powered hydrogen refining unit without a compressor that’s 25 per cent more efficient than previous units. Ideal for home use, so you won't need to buy hydrogen elsewhere."
Ito also confirmed there would be a Jazz hybrid in Europe in early 2011, to make Honda’s hybrid line-up threefold. The CR-Z is its latest hybrid model.
"The CR-Z is for people who want fun to drive spirit as well as low emissions. There will have three mode driving system for driver to choose between sporty driving, everyday driving and economy driving.”
Ito’s comments are in contrast to Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, who believes it is electric cars that will provide mobility in the future. His firm is launching four mass-market electric cars in the next two years.
“We want to stretch the boundaries of what is valuable or even possible, whether through an innovative and very competitive global compact car, or the world's first affordable, mass-marketed zero-emission car,” Ghosn told reporters at Geneva.
“We expect annual sales of our global compact cars to top one million units in 2013.”
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