Honda did an oops!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,908
Likes: 2
From: West Mansfield, Ohio
Now hang on just a second here. I'd like to know where these numbers came from...
I just spent my evening with my girlfriend's dad drywalling a room in his house (fun fun), who just so happens to me manager of the parts quality department at Marysville Honda (which is where I live.) I asked him if Honda was really hurting, and he said that the Civic and the Ridgeline are selling better than they ever have. Honda is by no means hurting whatsoever. I'd like to see some proof here from a very reliable source...... say straight from Honda of America?
I think it's funny how people wonder why other people buy these cars. They're cheap, but they last for EVER. If you change the water pump and timing belt at 110,000 miles, and the oil every 3000, they will never die. I see more of these cars than anything else (of course I do see Hondas parking lot lights outside my window...)
I just spent my evening with my girlfriend's dad drywalling a room in his house (fun fun), who just so happens to me manager of the parts quality department at Marysville Honda (which is where I live.) I asked him if Honda was really hurting, and he said that the Civic and the Ridgeline are selling better than they ever have. Honda is by no means hurting whatsoever. I'd like to see some proof here from a very reliable source...... say straight from Honda of America?
I think it's funny how people wonder why other people buy these cars. They're cheap, but they last for EVER. If you change the water pump and timing belt at 110,000 miles, and the oil every 3000, they will never die. I see more of these cars than anything else (of course I do see Hondas parking lot lights outside my window...)
Last edited by handyman43358; Feb 2, 2006 at 11:10 PM.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
Honda Press Release
Search button for prior sales numers to the right of the media main page. It's the trend, not the raw numbers that counts. Civic sales seem to have peaked immediately after introduction, and flattened since. The ridgeline is struggling, as is the high-end Acura RL.
Search button for prior sales numers to the right of the media main page. It's the trend, not the raw numbers that counts. Civic sales seem to have peaked immediately after introduction, and flattened since. The ridgeline is struggling, as is the high-end Acura RL.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
The Ridgeline I can understand struggling, as can I the Civic (although it does really surprise me).
The Acura RL from reports I have heard is an absolute corker of a car. Something BMW should be worried about.
Obviously not.
The Acura RL from reports I have heard is an absolute corker of a car. Something BMW should be worried about.
Obviously not.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
A good car doesn't necessarily guarantee a sales success. If you asked me who made the best American cars ever- I'd have to answer
1. Duesenberg. In it's day, this was the standard of the world. A rolling chassis, during the depression, cost many times more than a typical house. Bodies were then special made and fitted.
2. Packard. "ask the man who owns one."
Note neither brand is in existence today.
1. Duesenberg. In it's day, this was the standard of the world. A rolling chassis, during the depression, cost many times more than a typical house. Bodies were then special made and fitted.
2. Packard. "ask the man who owns one."
Note neither brand is in existence today.
Last edited by polarbear; Feb 3, 2006 at 01:37 AM.
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Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
No, I understand that.
But the likes of Hispano Suiza, Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Franay, Delahaye or Talbot Lago don't exist either - primarily because they didn't adapt to the market.
Here, a company with a great reputation has made a really good car in an expanding segment, and its sales figures are woeful.
Just proves I know less about the Auto industry (and more specifically the consumer) than I thought I did.
But the likes of Hispano Suiza, Figoni & Falaschi, Saoutchik, Franay, Delahaye or Talbot Lago don't exist either - primarily because they didn't adapt to the market.
Here, a company with a great reputation has made a really good car in an expanding segment, and its sales figures are woeful.
Just proves I know less about the Auto industry (and more specifically the consumer) than I thought I did.
Last edited by BigF350; Feb 3, 2006 at 01:33 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2005
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Originally Posted by polarbear
Honda Press Release
Search button for prior sales numers to the right of the media main page. It's the trend, not the raw numbers that counts. Civic sales seem to have peaked immediately after introduction, and flattened since. The ridgeline is struggling, as is the high-end Acura RL.
Search button for prior sales numers to the right of the media main page. It's the trend, not the raw numbers that counts. Civic sales seem to have peaked immediately after introduction, and flattened since. The ridgeline is struggling, as is the high-end Acura RL.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Miramichi, NB
I didn't expect the civic to suffer, but then again I have seen maybe 3 of the new styles on the road. I love the Ridgeline and Element because they let everyone know that Honda can crap-out like the rest of the automakers. That new Accord tho is a real winner, very sporty/good gas mileage and plenty of power. Anyone notice a lot of Pontiac G6's and GTP around? I meet them on the road all the time! Too bad Ford couldnt make something that looks that sporty, the fusion isnt bad but it doesnt have those lines that the Pontiac's do.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Hacienda Heights, CA
Originally Posted by polarbear
...The surprise was the Ridgeline. Honda only found 3814 buyers in January, vs 6589 in December, down 42%. That was after they put big incentives on the thing.
Or maybe, like the Aztek, they are so ugly that I just notice them more??
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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The Ridgeline isn't a truck designed for hard work. It has unibody construction and is more like an El Camino or Ranchero than a half ton truck. Very few of them are seen here.
The Element is a huge seller with retirees. Go near some of the 55+ community developments here and you'll see hordes of them at Home Depots, grocery stores, etc. It is a dud with the younger crowd.
The Element is a huge seller with retirees. Go near some of the 55+ community developments here and you'll see hordes of them at Home Depots, grocery stores, etc. It is a dud with the younger crowd.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 246
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From: Monroe, NC
My mother-in-law has a CRV and she thinks the Element is ugly, as do I. My mom had a civic as a rental when her Expy was rear-ended and she loved it. It was the previous generation though. I think the only thing that turns me off about civics is the the wanna be racers with the big fart can mufflers making tons of noise but not really going that fast. Makes me long for the 88 mustang GT I used to have. 
As for the Ridgeline, I don't even consider it a real truck. There are alot around here too, but I have yet to see one being loaded up at the local gravel and mulch yard when I am there. I guess that tells you something about the uses huh?
As for the Ridgeline, I don't even consider it a real truck. There are alot around here too, but I have yet to see one being loaded up at the local gravel and mulch yard when I am there. I guess that tells you something about the uses huh?
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Marion, VA
Originally Posted by cds
As for the Ridgeline, I don't even consider it a real truck. There are alot around here too, but I have yet to see one being loaded up at the local gravel and mulch yard when I am there. I guess that tells you something about the uses huh?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 246
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From: Monroe, NC
I would have to agree, not many 1/2 ton crew cabs have a bed big enough to haul much anyway. Ford finally this year offered that 6.5 bed on the 1/2 ton crew, I saw one on the interstate yesterday. It is longer but nothing like a crew cab long bed. I guess for what trucks cost today it would not be a good feeling seeing gravel dumped into the bed, unless you have a liner of some sort.