Honda introduces its new small car, the Fit

[Marc]

From the 2006 North America International Auto Show:

Honda introduces its new small car, the Fit

Nick Bunkley / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- Already the talk of the North American International Auto Show after sweeping the 2006 car and truck of the year awards Sunday, Honda of America pulled the wraps off its smallest vehicle, the five-door Fit.

The Fit, a U.S. version of the Honda Jazz sold overseas, will go on sale in April as a 2007 model and cost between $13,000 and $14,000. For that price, Honda is offering more than the average small car. It comes with a 109-horsepower engine, antilock brakes, six air bags, fold-flat “magic seats” and full iPod connectivity. A sport package that includes Honda’s first steering-wheel mounted paddle shifters is available.

“There is nothing undersized about this car’s safety, performance, innovative features or advanced technology,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. “We believe it will fit perfectly into people’s lives.”

The Fit, with 90.1 cubic feet of passenger and cargo space, will go up against two new Japanese subcompacts, the Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Honda hopes its latest entry can wrest away some market share from General Motors’ Korean-built Chevrolet Aveo, currently the category’s top seller.

Small cars accounted for less than 1 percent of the overall vehicle sales in 2004, but their popularity is climbing as high gas prices lead consumers to look for better fuel efficiency. The Fit is rated at 33 miles per gallon in the city and 38 on the highway.