2013 Honda Fit EV: NOT Sold Out Yet

Remember those nifty new leasing terms announced at the end of May for the 2013 Honda Fit EV? Customers apparently do, as so many have taken advantage of the offer that the brand recently had to release a statement addressing vehicle shortages. The lowdown from Steve Center, vice president of Environmental Business Development for Honda: “This is a temporary inventory issue, not a question of being ‘sold out.’

“Still, we recognize that some customers have experienced frustration as they attempt to locate dealers with available Fit EVs. We sincerely apologize for this … . The good news is that more Fit EV's are on their way to dealer showrooms.”

The bad news? Honda is taking a cautious approach here and will not be increasing production of U.S.-bound Honda Fit EVs; the vehicles to which Center refers are the regularly scheduled future shipments, and it is “those future shipments [that] are not sold out.”

“Here is what we suggest in the meantime,” Center continued. “We encourage interested customers to contact their local qualified Fit EV dealer to complete the lease qualification process and, if they qualify, and if a vehicle is not immediately available, to put their names on a wait list. Wait lists evolve quickly and people drop out as time passes, therefore the lists are not as long as one would think. We also encourage customers to stay in contact with their local dealers to ensure they receive the latest information on the delivery of Fit EV's. Though this may sound a bit discouraging, we believe that our dealers' current inventory—supplemented by future shipments—will be adequate to satisfy ultimate demand for the Fit EV.”

For those who missed the news, the 2013 Honda Fit EV is now being leased for as low as $259, with no down payment, unlimited mileage, complimentary routine maintenance, collision coverage and even a free 240-volt home-charging unit. For more info: http://www.autobytel.com/honda/fit-ev/2013/news/low-cost-lease-launched-for-2013-honda-fit-ev-117099/.