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Honda's newest hybird, the two-seat gas-electric CR-Z, went on sale in Japan today, priced at 2.27 million yen - $25,340.


The sporty hybrid is the second, after the 2010 Insight - in Honda's line of low-cost hybrids aimed at bringing the technology into the mainstream market place by increasing affordability.


To do so, the Honda IMA (integrated motor assist) hybrid system was downsized a bit and the car's haven't been loaded with expensive extras.


Despite that, the Insight has not sold as well as Honda had planned - tallying 136,000 sales globally in its first year versus the original goal of 200,000.


The limited-appeal CR-Z, was launched with a modest Japanese sales goal of 1,000 a month and pre-orders for 4,500, or 4.5 times the first months' goal.


The trick now will be to keep sales up - a difficult task with a two-seat car.


The hybrid CR-Z is sated to go on sale in the U.S. later this summer.

Tags: Honda, Hybrid, 2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid

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Honda Begins 2011 CR-Z Hybrid Sales in Japan, Pricing Starts at $25,340 was originally published by Green Car Advisor. Read the full story by clicking here.