Honda Jazz 2015 News

The death of a toddler run over in the driveway of his Oakden home has prompted calls for technology such as reversing cameras to be standard features on new cars.

Half-time is typically a time for reflection.With six months of 2015 gone — and the official sales results arriving last week — it's time to look at what was hot and what was not in showrooms this year.At a glance, small cars are out and tiny SUVs are in. Diesels and hybrids are out, and turbocharged petrol cars are in. Luxury brands are in demand, local cars are not.Honda and Isuzu sales are surging, Ford and Holden have hit new lows.Sales of baby SUVs are up by 23 per cent in the first half of the year, thanks to the arrival of new offerings from Mazda and Honda. The surprise last month was that Honda's HR-V outsold Mazda's CX-3, despite a get-in price that is $5000 more than the baby Mazda. Buyers are no doubt attracted by the roominess of the Honda's cabin, which shares the clever design of its donor vehicle, the Jazz. Mitsubishi has also benefited from the increased showroom interest in this type of vehicle, with sales of its ASX surging by more than 45 per cent.They share their underpinnings with the new breed of SUVs, but they haven't been hurt by their arrival. Honda again leads the charge, with sales of its City sedan and Jazz hatch surging. Sales of the all-new Mazda2 are also strong and it remains best-selling car in the class. Other models that have captured the imagination of buyers are the evergreen Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris, as well as the Volkswagen Polo, which is up by more than 50 per cent thanks to sharp pricing.Low interest rates mean that a luxury badge is now within reach of more car buyers. As a result Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are all enjoying double-digit growth. Understandably, most of the action is at the lower end of the market, with models high on the shopping list including BMW's Mini (up 59 per cent) and Audi's A3 (up 23 per cent). BMW's new 2 Series coupe and Lexus's NX small SUV have also launched with a bang, but the biggest success story is CarsGuide's 2014 Car of the Year, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which has doubled its sales in the first half of the year.Somebody is cashing in on Australia's property boom, with sales of sports cars costing more than $200,000 rising more than 20 per cent, albeit off a low base. Ferrari and Lamborghini dealerships are busy this year, with Ferrari logging 95 local sales compared with 52 in the same period last year and Lamborghini jumping from just seven sales to 60. The segment's most popular car, the Porsche 911, also enjoyed solid growth. At the other end of the spectrum, sales of affordable sports cars slumped as the initial shine predictably wore off the Toyota 86, Subaru BRZ and Hyundai Veloster. That will change, though, when Mazda's all-new MX-5 arrives in the second half of the year.They're big news in Japan and Europe, but micro cars haven't captured the Australian car buying public's imagination. Despite the arrival of an all-new model in the Suzuki Celerio and a midlife update for the Nissan Micra, sales are down by almost a third.They're still the nation's car of choice, but the arrival of baby SUVs has put a dent in the popularity of the small-car brigade led by the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3. This time last year, the Mazda3 was the top-selling vehicle in Australia, but sales this year are down by almost 10 per cent, cannibalised by the newer and funkier CX-3. Toyota, which has no mini-SUV in its range, fared better with the Corolla, which almost held its own in a market segment that shrank by 10,000 cars.When locally made cars began to slide in popularity, most pundits said it was because they were too big and thirsty, but the figures show otherwise. Large cars are down by 14 per cent this year, but medium and large SUVs have enjoyed solid growth. Toyota's Camry, which has a hybrid version, has fared better than the rest of the locals, but the Holden Cruze small car has experienced a bigger sales slide than Ford's Falcon and Territory. Overall, the prognosis remains bleak. Australians bought almost as many German-made cars as locally-made ones in the first six months.The Europeans are mad for it — and most 4WD utes use it too — but Australians, it seems, don't like getting their hands dirty. After an initial spike in interest in diesel passenger cars and SUVs among private buyers and fleets between 2005 and 2010, the interest continues to wane. Sales of diesel passenger cars grew sixfold from 2005 to 2010, while diesel SUV sales more than doubled. But in the first six months of this year — and on the back of a decline last year — sales of diesel cars fell by more than a quarter. Diesel SUV sales were stagnant despite big growth in overall SUV sales.Honda - up 33.4 per centIsuzu - up 30.3 per centSkoda - up 30.2 per centRenault - up 30.1 per centLexus - up 24.9 per centFord - down 17.6 per centVolvo - down 16.6 per centFiat - down 16.4 per centHolden - down 8.9 per centNissan - down 0.6 per centToyota - 101,714 - up 0.6 per centMazda - 56,591 - up 9 per centHolden - 51,737 - down 8.9 per centHyundai - 50,099 - up 1 per centMitsubishi - 35,866 - up 9.8 per centFord - 34,810 - down 17.6 per centNissan - 32,950 - down 0.6 per centVolkswagen - 32,020 - up 12.1 per centSubaru - 21,659 - up 8.1 per centHonda 20,602 - up 33.4 per centToyota Corolla - 21,750Mazda3 - 20,427Toyota HiLux - 18,781Hyundai i30 - 15,801Ford Ranger - 14,144Holden Commodore - 13,769Mitsubishi Triton - 13,709Mazda CX-5 - 12,489Volkswagen Golf - 11,829Toyota Camry - 10,426

Are you still trying to figure out how the Budget tax changes affect your small business — and what it might amount to in savings on a new car? You're not alone.It's 10 days since Joe Hockey allowed immediate tax deductions for small businesses or sole traders for assets costing up to $20,000. The car industry is still grappling with the fine print and trying to establish which vehicles are eligible.Is the maximum amount on an eligible vehicle $20,000 plus on-road costs, $20,000 drive-away, or more?What happens if you pay the difference on the amount on a vehicle that costs more than $20,000?With some help from those in the know we've managed to zero-in on the best and worst case scenarios, and sort fact from fiction.Assets acquired and installed ready for use between 7.30pm 12 May 2015 and 30 June 2017For starters, the government will not write you a cheque for $20,000 if you buy a new car, as some believe.The changes also do not apply to private buyers, who typically account for more than half of all new-car sales.Further, the criteria for small businesses and sole traders are tougher than many may realise — and the deal doesn't last forever.The $20,000 threshold for goods that can be used as an immediate tax deduction (rather than spread over eight financial years, in the case of motor vehicles) applies to "assets acquired and installed ready for use between 7.30pm 12 May 2015 and 30 June 2017".Eligible businesses must turn over more than $20,000 and less than $2 million annually, the real estate assets of the business must be worth more than $500,000, other assets must worth be more than $100,000, and the business must have made a profit in three of the past five years. The aim is to prevent rorting.The amount each small business or sole trader may be entitled to as a tax refund will vary — even on identical vehicles — because the purchase price of the asset is counted against taxable income.In a best-case scenario, sole traders in the top tax bracket of 47 cents in the dollar could be eligible for a refund of up to $8500 on a $20,000 vehicle used exclusively for work. Small businesses taxed at 30 per cent could pocket up to $5400 — providing quarterly tax instalments or pay-as-you-go taxes are up to date."If people are rushing to buy a new car they need to consider the non-commercial loss provisions which apply to their business," says chartered tax adviser Amar Deep.In simpler terms, he says: "If your business is making a loss, you can't use that loss to offset your employment income and get a refund from the Tax Office."Meanwhile, dealers are scrambling to find out which vehicles fall under the $20,000 threshold, and how far customers can stretch the limit.The ATO says the asset must cost not a dollar more than $20,000.However, that amount is excluding GST, meaning the most basic $20,900 drive-away trayback utes are eligible.Further, given there is no GST on registration or stamp duty, an eligible vehicle in theory could be priced between $21,500 and $22,000 drive-away, which will bring in some small vans from Citroen, Renault and Volkswagen.You wouldn't be able to buy, for example, a $60,000 SUV and submit three $20,000 tax invoicesAccessories fall into a grey area. For example, experts we've spoken to say you could in theory add a larger ute tray or other accessories — taking the vehicle beyond the $20,000 threshold — providing they were on a separate tax invoice.If the dealer was prepared to split the invoice, already a common practice with some fleet leasing arrangements (where the individual and the employer pick up different parts of the tab), then you could arguably drive away in a $30,000 ute or van loaded to the hilt.But you wouldn't be able to buy, for example, a $60,000 SUV and submit three $20,000 tax invoices to offset against your taxable income. Work vehicles dearer than $20,000 will be deductible over eight years, as per usual.The $20,000 threshold applies to any goods, so it doesn't even have to be a new car. For example, it can be a used vehicle, or a small hatchback for a pizza delivery business or security company.But the amount you may get as a tax deduction depends on how much the vehicle is used for work and what your (or your company's) taxable income amounts to.Understandably, the industry has welcomed the Budget initiative, not least because it has jump-started showroom traffic before June, historically the biggest month for new-car sales."We applaud the government's small business initiative," says Patrick Tessier, chief executive officer of the Australia Automotive Dealer Association, representing 4000 franchises."We believe small business needs a stimulus and we think this will have an immediate benefit."Our dealers are already reporting a spike in interest in showroom traffic and phone calls. There is a lot of inquiry about what these changes mean and what savings might be available."The dealer group also predicts car companies will react quickly and introduce models in June to capitalise on the new arrangements."Some brands will be able to do more than others," Tessier says. "I think we will see more cars limbo closer to that $20,000 mark in June."Popular work vehicles and the deduction to which sole traders and small businesses may be entitled.Toyota HiLux ute: $20,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Mitsubishi Triton ute: $20,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500VW Caddy van: $22,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500  Renault Kangoo van: $19,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Kia Cerato hatch or sedan: $19,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Toyota Yaris automatic: $17,990 drive-away, $5397 to $8455Nissan Micra automatic: $17,602 drive-away, $5280 to $8272Honda Jazz manual: $16,990 drive-away, $5097 to $7985Suzuki Celerio automatic: $13,990 drive-away, $4197 to $6575Hyundai i20 manual: $12,990 drive-away, $3897 to $6105Figures are a guide only and apply to vehicles solely used for work. Consult a tax professional for an accurate estimate on any new vehicle you may consider purchasing.

Car dealers across Australia are reporting a surge in interest in vehicles below $20,000 as "Tony's Tradies" and small businesses try to get in before the June 30 end of financial year.June is already historically the biggest month of the year for new-car sales -- and the single biggest month for deliveries of commercial utes and vans as businesses update their models before tax time -- but this year is expected to break all records.Sole traders will be eligible for a refund of up to $8500 on a $20,000 work vehicleFollowing changes announced in this week's Federal Budget, small businesses and sole traders will be able to claim a deduction on "tools of trade" valued up to $20,000 in this financial year, rather than have the refunds spread out over eight years.The changes mean sole traders will be eligible for a refund of up to $8500 on a $20,000 work vehicle (after accounting for GST) while small businesses could pocket up to $5400 -- providing quarterly tax instalments or pay-as-you-go taxes are up to date.Sole traders in the maximum tax bracket of 47 cents in the dollar stand to make the most gains, while companies with a turnover not exceeding $2 million may be eligible for an instant tax refund of 30 cents in the dollar.Many brands are well placed to move new metalPrivate buyers, however, will not benefit from the new scheme. And tax experts have warned private buyers to not be tempted to establish a business name, because the company must demonstrate to the tax office that it is viable and has an expectation to earn income.New vehicles purchased for more than $20,000 do not apply to the new scheme and will continue to be deductible over eight years.Many brands are well placed to move new metal. The Toyota HiLux, Australia's top-selling ute, and the Mitsubishi Triton ute, are available from $20,990 drive-away in their most basic form, with a drop-side aluminum tray, a popular choice with tradies.Once the 10 per cent GST is removed from the drive-away price, they fall under the $20,000 threshold and buyers will be able to claim a deduction of between $5400 and $8500 on those models, depending on their circumstances.In effect, it brings the price of a basic ute to between $12,490 and $15,590 drive-away once the tax refund has been taken into account, which is the equivalent price of some of Australia's cheapest cars.Take advantage of the offer with cars such as the Hyundai i20, Suzuki Celerio, Nissan Micra, and the Kia CeratoSimilar savings apply to the Volkswagen Caddy and Renault Kangoo vans.Small businesses needing a city runabout to deliver parts or other goods are also expected to take advantage of the offer with cars such as the Hyundai i20, Suzuki Celerio, Nissan Micra, and the Kia Cerato, with savings range from $3897 to $8500, based on figures calculated by News Corp Australia.Indeed, the $12,990 drive-away cost of a Hyundai i20 manual -- Australia's cheapest car from a mainstream brand -- can be almost halved to just $6885 for eligible sole traders, once the tax refund is taken into account."We applaud the government's small business initiative," said Patrick Tessier, the chief executive officer of the Australia Automotive Dealer Association, representing 4000 franchises."We believe small business needs a stimulus and we think this will have an immediate benefit.""Our dealers are already reporting a spike in interest in showroom traffic and phone calls; there is a lot of inquiry about what these changes mean and what savings might be available."Mr Tessier said the tax rebates will vary depending on the individual circumstances of each small business or sole trader.We will see more cars limbo closer to that $20,000 mark in JuneThe AADA also predicts the car companies will react quickly and introduce models in June to take advantage of the new arrangements."The car industry will respond to this, but some brands will be able to do more than others," said Mr Tessier. "I think we will see more cars limbo closer to that $20,000 mark in June."Brands such as Holden, Ford, Mazda and Isuzu that don't currently have a special drive-away offer on a ute close to the new $20,000 threshold are understood to be scrambling to introduce changes to take advantage of the new tax agreements.“If people are rushing to buying a new car they need to consider the non-commercial loss provisions which apply to their business,” said Amar Deep, a chartered tax adviser.“If you’re business is making a loss, you can’t use that loss to offset your employment income and get a refund from the tax office.”Eligible businesses must turnover more than $20,000 per year and less than $2 million, the real estate assets of the business must be worth more than $500,000, other assets must be more than $100,000, and the business must have made a profit in three of the last five years.Drive your dollar further: popular work vehicles and the tax refund sole traders and small businesses may be entitled to following changes in the recent Federal Budget.Toyota HiLux ute: $20,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Mitsubishi Triton ute: $20,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500VW Caddy van: $22,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500  Renault Kangoo van: $19,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Kia Cerato hatch or sedan: $19,990 drive-away, $5400 to $8500Toyota Yaris automatic: $17,990 drive-awayNissan Micra automatic: $17,602 drive-away, $5280 to $8272Honda Jazz manual: $16,990 drive-away, $5097 to $7985Suzuki Celerio automatic: $13,990 drive-away, $4197 to $6575Hyundai i20 manual: $12,990 drive-away, $3897 to $6105Tax refund figures are a guide only. Consult a tax professional for an accurate estimate on any new vehicle you may consider purchasing.

One in four SUVs still lack rear view cameras – even though the technology is now standard on a $14,990 hatchback.

Ten contenders, two exhaustive days of testing by six judges...

Mercedes-Benz C-Class wins CarsGuide 2014 Car Of The Year award as sales figures show it outsold the Ford Falcon by almost two-to-one last month.

As the exhaustive COTY drive program starts, CarsGuide covers the market segments — the focus as ever is on testing real cars for real people on real roads.The field for the 2014 Carsguide Car of the Year contest is in the starting blocks.The 10 contenders cover every corner of Australia’s new-car showroom, from baby cars to SUVs and luxury cars to people-movers. There is even a performance car.The COTY favourite is the Mercedes-Benz C-Class but there are dark horses including the updated VW Polo and Toyota Corolla sedan, as well as the classy little Mazda2 that’s a late inclusion for the contest.And then there is the Ford Falcon XR8, an Aussie hero that’s the poster car for the final FG X Falcon.The two-day COTY contest puts them head-to-head with a simple mantra: real cars for real people on real roads.So we’re looking first at value, then everything from safety to comfort, quality and efficiency. It’s the same approach that most people take to their new-car purchase but with a much sharper focus.VW has dominated the COTY results in recent years with the excellent Golf and Polo, which work so well despite unanswered questions about ownership beyond the warranty.But no one knows what will happen when we get down to voting for the biggest prize in Australia motoring.  The contenders are:Ford Falcon XR8From $52,490This is as good as the Falcon gets, as Ford Australia does all it can to make the FG X special for the time it has left as a car maker at Broadmeadows. Ford fans have been calling for the return of the XR8 for years and the best news is the car picks up the 335kW supercharged V8 engine lifted directly from the discontinued FPV GT.Honda Jazz VTiFrom $14,990Honda retreated in the global financial crisis, and has also just axed the Accord Euro that’s been so popular in Australia. Honda played smart by adding a standard rear-view camera to the new Jazz but that’s just the start for a car that’s a genuine step forward.Honda Odyssey VTiFrom $38,990Few Australians buy people-movers but the new Odyssey provides a good reason to look past an SUV. A genuine family van, it is also well equipped and well built. It’s been a long-term success in Australia, despite rivals including the Toyota Tarago and the latest classy Citroen Picasso.Mazda3 NeoFrom $20,490Australia’s favourite car for 2013 got a total makeover for 2014 that includes everything from the SkyActiv powertrain to a new body and chassis. It’s a looker that backs the style with impressive quality and driving dynamics. The Mazda3 take the fight to the Toyota Corolla for sales and the VW Golf for everything else.Mazda2 NeoFrom $15,790More like a condensed Mazda3 than any previous Mazda2, the Japanese company’s new starter car is mini but definitely not tinny. The cabin quality is impressive, it goes well with SkyActiv technology, and the value is up with a price that’s down.Mercedes-Benz C200From $60,900The world’s oldest car maker performed a magic trick with the new C-Class, creating a condensed S-Class limousine that still comes in below the LCT threshold. It’s packed with technology, takes a new approach to luxury cabin design and drives incredibly well in C200 starter form.Nissan Pathfinder hybridFrom $42,990Earlier Pathfinders were a bit rough-and-ready despite their heavyweight credentials but the new model is much more car-like and a serious alternative to a Toyota Kluger or Ford Territory for Australian families. The hybrid package is the icing on the cake.Subaru WRXFrom $38,990The long-term Subaru hero is still a performance bargain. Its user-friendly constantly variable transmission is one of the biggest changes and challenges to the turbocharged pocket rocket. This time around the emphasis has switched from the engine to the chassis in the WRX, a major departure that changes the game.Toyota Corolla sedanFrom $20,740Four-door compacts are not generally as popular as hatches but that has not stopped Toyota from creating a sedan that trumps its five-door variant. It’s a little more expensive but the pay-off comes in greater refinement in a body that works for many downsizers.VW Polo 66TSI$16,290The starter car for VW in Australia following the axing of the Up is a long way better than basic motoring. It goes surprisingly well, has a solid Golf-style feel and meets most of the needs of baby-car buyers. As always, though, we wonder about life beyond the warranty.We’re looking first at value, then everything from safety to comfort, quality and efficiency. It’s the same approach most people take to their new-car purchase but with a much sharper focus.

Technology gets cheaper as it becomes more common. Flat-screen TVs are a prime example -- once only found in a corner of high-end electronics stores, these days they are to be found in the supermarket trolley among the fish fingers and soap powder packets. Petrol/electric hybrid vehicles are going the same way thanks to efficiencies and economies of scale in the industry. Honda introduced the first hybrid vehicle, the Insight, to Australia in 2001 when it sold for almost $50,000. Now the cheapest example of the genre has just hit the Australian market and it comes from the same company. At $22,990, plus on-roads, the Honda Jazz Hybrid in price trumps its closest rival, the Toyota Prius c, by a grand. TECHNOLOGY The powertrain of the new Jazz is shared by the latest Insight – a 1.3-litre petrol engine and electric motor combined with a continuously variable transmission – with which the maker claims fuel consumption of 4.5 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of 107 g/km on the combined urban/highway cycle. The 1.3-litre SOHC i-VTEC engine puts out 65 kW of power at 5800 rpm and 121Nm of torque at 4500 rpm, while Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist system, comprising an electric motor, starter and generator, delivers 10 kW at 1500 rpm and 78 Nm of torque at 1000 rpm. Over the past decade, the IMA battery pack and control unit have evolved and become more compact and lightweight, ensuring the car’s practicality is not sacrificed in the hybrid. The battery has an eight-year unlimited kilometre warranty and can be recycled through a Honda dealership. The petrol engine does its bit to save fuel too. During deceleration, for example, when the cylinders are under no load, combustion is completely cut out, enabling the IMA to increase energy recovery to charge the battery. This Variable Cylinder Management is also used to shut all four cylinders when only a little torque is required – during low-speed cruising for example. In this mode the Jazz Hybrid is powered by the electric motor only, with the pistons running idle; no fuel is used and no CO2 emitted. A Multi-Information Display informs the driver how the car is being powered – by the engine, electric motor or both. After working on the car’s management system the team was able to cut the differences to 12 per cent. The cabin has similarities with the conventional Jazz. The dashboard incorporates a version of the Honda Eco Assist function, which uses ambient lighting of the speedometer to tell drivers how their driving style is impacting on fuel economy – blue for bad; green for good. DESIGN On the outside there’s little to tell the hybrid from the conventional Jazz. Differences include Hybrid headlights with a chrome-blue surround, clear rear LED tail lights, chrome-blue front grille and a chrome tailgate garnish. The Hybrid also has its own palette of colours – Alabaster Silver, Fresh Lime Green, Rallye Red, Taffeta White and Polished Metal. Honda Jazz features include what the company modestly calls ‘Magic Seats’. These can be configured in 18 ways allowing room for up 722 litres of gear to be carted. The Hybrid can take up to five on firm, quality material upholstered seats, with space in the cargo area for 223 litres (two suit cases) of luggage. Head room and leg room are good to generous all round. Other standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels; Bluetooth and USB connectivity; and Vehicle Stability Assist stability and traction control, six airbags and Honda’s ACE body structure. ECONOMY On a run of more than 100 kilometres in Sydney suburban and country driving during the media launch the Jazz Hybrid recorded around six litres of petrol per hundred kilometres. That is 33 per cent over the numbers measured in a laboratory. During development of the Jazz engineers found there were significant differences in the fuel economy achieved between drivers – at an average of 30 km/h, up to 21 per cent. So the driver can make a huge difference to the efficiency of the car. An Eco Assist function helps the driver aim for the ultimate economy from the car in various situations and gives drivers continuous feedback on how their brake and accelerator work is affecting fuel consumption and impact on the environment. A stop/start engine function also plays its part. In the Econ mode, which in the Jazz, is brought into action by pressing an Econ switch, power output is limited (except during hard acceleration); driver acceleration action is smoothed along with the CVT shift pattern; regenerative brake energy is increased; air-conditioning recirculates more often; fan power is reduced more frequently; and during idle stop the air-con cuts out. Buyers are expected to be made up of mainly tech savvy, environmentally conscious females wanting practicality and versatility in a vehicle. Built in Thailand, the Jazz Hybrid is covered by a three-year 100,000 kilometre warranty, other than the aforementioned extended warranty on the special battery.  

The company that once sold the most expensive hybrid car in Australia – the bug-shaped Honda Insight that cost $48,990 when it went on sale in 1999 – has cut the cost of the technology by more than half in a little more than a decade.The price of a hybrid car has snuck closer to the $20,000 mark, with the new Honda Jazz hybrid undercutting the baby Toyota Prius C by $1000 with a RRP of $22,990.But don’t break open the bubbly just yet: it will still take at least 12 years to pay off the $7000 price difference between a Honda Jazz Hybrid and the most fuel-efficient petrol-only Jazz model.Based on the national distance average of 15,000km a year, the Honda Jazz Hybrid would use 375 litres less fuel than the standard Jazz annually, equating to a fuel bill saving of $562.50 a year based on the price of premium unleaded at $1.50 per litre. (See the table below).The arrival of the Honda Jazz hybrid is also likely to reignite debate about whether it is in fact a hybrid. It is 13 per cent thirstier than the Toyota Prius C hatch (Honda: 4.5L/100km versus Toyota 3.9L/100km).Unlike Toyota’s pioneering hybrid technology released in 1997, the Honda hybrid system is unable to move the car from rest on its electric power alone. Instead, the Honda’s smaller electric motor gives the petrol engine a boost once the car is already at cruising speed.Moving from a standstill is when cars use the most fuel. But the hybrid system in the Jazz is largely unchanged from the one Honda released in 1999, albeit adapted to newer models with redesigned battery packs.The new Honda Jazz hybrid arrives in showrooms next week, but it is unlikely to make any impact on the massive sales lead held by fellow Japanese car maker Toyota.Toyota has sold more than 4 million hybrid cars globally since 1997, and 1 million of those were sold last year alone. It took Honda 13 years to eclipse the 1 million mark, which it achieved in September last year.THE METHOD IN THE HYBRID MADNESS:Honda Jazz HybridPrice: from $22,990Engine: 1.3-litre petrol engine, 10kW electric hybrid motor assists at cruising speedsPower: 72kW/167NmConsumption: 4.5L/100kmFuel used annually: 675 litresAnnual fuel bill: $1012.50Honda Jazz petrolPrice: $15,990Engine: 1.3-litre four-cylinder petrol enginePower: 73kW/127NmConsumption: 7.0L/100kmFuel used annually: 1050 litresAnnual fuel bill: $1575Price gap in annual fuel bill: $562.50Years to recover the $7000 price premium of the Jazz Hybrid compared with the cheapest model: 12.4 years Fuel use is based on the consumption figures on each car’s fuel rating label and the national average distance travelled of 15,000km a year. Fuel cost is based on $1.50 per litre, even though it will likely climb in excess of that over the next 12 years.This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling