Yesterday we heard that Honda was planning a new hybrid for 2009 which would cost less than the Civic Hybrid. What we didn’t find out was the Insight hybrid would be sacrificed. The Insight will end its production run in September of this year, leaving Honda with a gap for a couple of years until the new model comes along.

The Insight was the first hybrid to hit the market, ever, and it is still the mileage champion. Sure, it had some drawbacks. Like the fact that it’s so small — only a two-seater and impractical for families, or even for couples going on a trip. The death of the Insight also can’t be surprising since its sales have never come close to measuring up to the Prius or the other hybrids. The new vehicle will be family friendly, which may appeal to more consumers.