Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe Gets Huge Sales Incentive: UPDATEHonda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe Gets Huge Sales Incentive: UPDATE

Dealers are now apparently looking for way to purge substantial inventories of the Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe, leading to suspicions that the model may be starting to enter its death throes.
Honda announced its July incentives this week, but the CR-Z turns out to receive a major discount that goes unadvertised.
The Japanese carmaker typically gives out “dealer cash” incentives that individual dealers can apply to inventory at their discretion.
DON’T MISS: 2015 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Two-Seat Coupe: Unchanged For New Model Year (Oct 2014)
These incentives are customarily applied to higher-volume models like sedans and crossver utility vehicles, but the CR-Z will benefit as well, beginning this month, according to Cars Direct.
UPDATE: Honda subsequently contacted Green Car Reports to confirm that the CR-Z will continue into the 2016 model year.
According to Davis Adams of Honda communications, the CR-Z will “live on for the indefinite future,” and receive some updates for 2016.
Those updates will include revised exterior and interior styling, a new Display Audio system, electronic parking brake, and Honda’s Smart Entry and Start and LaneWatch features.
The new incentive runs through September 7, and is worth $2,000 in potential savings.
Honda is also offering a new CR-Z lease offer in July of $199 per month for 36 months, with $2,699 due at signing.
2015 Honda CR-ZUnfortunately for Honda dealers, competitor Toyota is also offering a lease deal on its entry-level hybrid this month.
In Southern California at least, hybrid shoppers can lease a Toyota Prius C for $179 per month for 36 months, with $1,999 due at signing.
Keep in mind that the Prius C gets an EPA-rated 50 mpg combined (53 mpg city, 46 mpg highway), compared to the 37 mpg combined (36 mpg city, 39 mpg highway) of the CR-Z at its most efficient.
And unlike the Honda CR-Z, the Toyota comes with a pair of rear seats–making it a very effective competitor to the lackluster Honda Insight, which was withdrawn from sale last year.
ALSO SEE: 2013 Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe: Quick Drive Report (Feb 2013)
The CR-Z is available with a manual transmission though. It’s the only hybrid sold in the U.S. with this option.
However, that six-speed gearbox reduces fuel economy to 34 mpg combined (31 mpg city, 38 mpg highway) from the higher ratings achieved with the automatic CVT.
The CR-Z was originally intended to combine the sportiness of the old two-seat CR-X hot hatchback with the efficiency of a hybrid powertrain.
But in trying to be a jack of all trades, it proved to be a master at none.
2015 Honda CR-ZHonda sold just 204 CR-Z hybrids in June, leaving a 211-day supply of inventory compared to the 56-day industry average.
The CR-Z will likely be the last model to use Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system.
The only other model using it–the Civic Hybrid–will be discontinued at the end of the 2015 model year.
MORE: Honda Civic Hybrid, Natural-Gas Models Eliminated After 2015
A 2016 CR-Z will launch this fall with a handful of updates.
Meanwhile, Honda has said it will continue development of the two-motor hybrid system used in the Accord Hybrid.
A redesigned version of that model will arrive in 2016, and the system will be adapted to other future models as well.
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