As discussed in this thread, the Canadian government is offering a rebate of $1000 to $2000 for "fuel-efficient" cars, and the Fit does not quite qualify.

A poster, MetroMPG, over at GasSavers.org wrote to Honda about it, and received a reply --

Full thread here

 

Confirmation, from wheels.ca via gassavers --

 

I wonder what they're trying. I doubt that they'll drop off any safety items to save weight.

I'd think that the easiest thing to do would just be to kick up the gear ratios a bit. They really don't have a whole lot of tweaking to do to cross the rebate line.....

 

Hey, according to some other threads here, all they need to do is install a voltage stabilizer. I've seen better than 5% improvements quoted. Cheap, fast fix.

Eric

 

It worked for me I'm seeing 30 to 50km more per tank

 

uninstall it and confirm that your mileage drops back down...

 

This time without as much sarcasm...

So Honda has missed the rebate threshold by 0.1 liter/100km, all they need is a 1.5% increase to qualify. If they could add an accessory that takes less than 5 minutes to install and can't cost more than $25 to manufacture in bulk to see a verifiable 5%+ increase in fuel economy, why wouldn't they do it? Even if a voltage stabilizer is only half as effective as advertised, they're still golden.

I'm not saying that voltage stabilizers don't work on some cars, but it seems unlikely that Honda would leave that level of improvement on the table. The current conversation is around eliminating safety features or building new unique transmissions to meet this Canadian standard. Both of the solutions being examined by Honda are certainly more costly. Maybe their electrical engineers aren't technical enough to understand the VS concept. (I'm sorry, sometimes my sarcasm just can't be helped)

Eric

 

They could just do what all the other car companies do and lie about it. The Chrysler group has a whole whack of cars that made the cut, in the US the EPA has completly different numbers accross the board.

EDIT: Bah, never mind nothing matches the EPA Estimates from the Canadain EnerGuide Standards. My point is lost in a mess of garbled data.

 

Our local paper recently reported that Honda was in fact looking at removing the curtain air bags and ABS to meet the weight requirements (although I just don't get that) As I understand it, these items are not standard on the Yaris.
I was offered the $1000 directly from Honda Canada to match the rebate program that the Yaris IS eligible for so that they remain competitive. I went and looked at the Yaris before signing for my FiT and didn't even get out of my car. When I saw it I turned around and left!! Uggh!

Oh and plus I got the Fuel efficiency $100 off as well. As far as I know, if you are in Canada, Honda is offering the $1000 themselves as they are fighting with the feds to accept the FiT. (it is actually covered $750 Honda and $250 dealer)

 

ooops sorry nothing happened with first submission

 

Indeed they are, I received it as well. You can get more info on their website at this link:

http://www.honda.ca/HondaCA2006/Benefits_page2?L=E