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Insight into Canada: Checking the environmental pulse of Canadians - Coast to Coast

April 26th, 2009

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A couple of weeks ago, I attended an Environmental Roundtable in Vancouver hosted by Honda Canada, an open forum presentation centering on where the automotive world is going in terms of evolving technologies. Aside from an environmental overview, presenters and a handful of attending journalists discussed propulsion systems ranging from hydrogen fuel cells to plug in hybrids and electric power. There was obviously plenty to talk about.

After the Roundtable, we were given the opportunity to drive Honda’s all-new hybrid, the 2010 Insight. Of course I took Honda up on their offer and drove an alabaster silver metallic EX model around Vancouver for an hour.

Along the way I had a chance to, errr, ask the Insight some questions.

Garry Sowerby: The Honda people told me you in particular have a special name, Insight Canada 1. Why did you get a name like that?

Insight Canada 1: I am the very first Honda Insight to be registered in Canada. I came over on a boat from Japan, was assigned to Honda Canada’s media fleet, and my first assignment after this Roundtable is to participate in an event called Insight into Canada. I was chosen because I am the very first Honda Insight to get a license plate so I’m called Insight Canada 1.

Garry Sowerby: What’s so special about you?

Insight Canada 1: Well, as far as Insights go, aside from some very cool Insight into Canada graphics, I’m just like any other Insight. But we Insights are a special breed. We are Canada’s most affordable Hybrid starting at $23,900. Not bad for a car that is designed from the ground up as a hybrid with a 1.3-litre 4-cylinder gas/electric power plant that sips fuel at the very stingy rate of 4.8 L/100 km city and 4.5 L/100 km highway. And hey, I’m pretty good-looking, too.

GS: Very impressive. But what’s this Insight into Canada all about?

IC1: It’s a month-long cross-Canada drive that starts on April 21. The journey begins at Mile Zero in Victoria, British Columbia and ends May 22 at Mile Zero, St. John's, Newfoundland. From sea to shining sea. I've divided the country into about two dozen drive legs where different journalists will be handing me off to each other.

GS: What will you be doing along the way?

IC1: On each leg, I'll be checking the environmental pulse of Canadians, visiting earth-friendly places and inspirational people who are doing their share to lessen our country's carbon footprint, reduce energy use or improve recycling efforts. And think of what I’ll see out on the road! The Rocky Mountains, springtime on the Prairies, the awesome drive north of Lake Superior, the mighty Saint Lawrence River and then the Maritimes and Newfoundland will all reinforce our need to be responsible and protect this great place.

GS: Wait now. I’m having a hard time with the fact that you can talk. I suppose you can write, too?

IC1: Well I can’t reallllly talk or write. And typing, well my tires are a little big for the keyboard. But you can do all those things. And so can the journalists who will be driving me on my big Canadian adventure. At the end of each day, my drivers will write a blog on my behalf about how I’m making out; the cool places I’ve been, the folks I’ve met and what they are doing to make Canada a better place environmentally speaking.

GS: Are you hoping to meet that special someone out there?

IC1: There are only six of us registered in the country right now but Honda Insights went on sale at dealers across Canada on Earth Day, April 22. So I’ll probably come across plenty of them during my month on the road. I’ll be on a tight schedule but you never know, I hear there is such a thing as love at first Insight.

GS: How can people follow you on your trek across Canada?

IC1: Check out my website www.insightintocanada.ca where they will find my blog, where I’ve been, who I’ve met and plenty of information on what a Honda Insight is all about. On the day this interview is published, I’ll be driving between Vancouver and Kelowna, in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. I can almost smell the peach blossoms.

GS: Anything you would like to say to Canadians before you start?

IC1: Let me think about that. For starters, to have a name that includes the name of this great country makes me a bit nervous. Like, I have to be on my best behavior and do a good job on this big assignment. I have butterflies in my batteries, so if anyone has an idea of a neat environmental initiative or a Canadian that is doing something really special for our environment, please e-mail me at insightintocanada@gmail.com and perhaps I can work them into my schedule.

GS: I have to admit, you are a pretty cool car.

IC1: C’mon Garry, take me for another spin!

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