Yesterday, Honda released sales and production data for the month of January. Domestic production decreased for the third consecutive month and production for overseas sales decreased fro the fourth consecutive month. Similarly domestic (Japan) sales decreased for the third consecutive month, and exports decreased for the fourth consecutive month.
The full production and sales report is available on Honda’s website.
Honda, Manufacturing
Last week, Honda rolled out it’s 20 millionth produced vehicle in North America. The Japanese car company started production locally in the US in 1982 in it’s Marysville Ohio plant.
President & CEO of Honda America Manufacturing, Tsuneo Tanai:
The production of 20 million cars and light trucks in North America was achieved through the ultimate in teamwork by our suppliers, business partners and dealers working together with Honda associates to create joy for our customers. Most importantly, we owe our deepest appreciation to our customers, as none of our accomplishments would be possible without the loyalty they have shown to their Honda and Acura products.”
Honda is committed to producing its vehicles as close to the customer as possible. Last year, 77% of the cars sold in the US were produced locally in North America. Ten of Honda’s models are produced exclusively in the US, including the Accord and Civic coupe/Si/GX, the Odyssey, Pilot, Element, Ridgeline, and the Acura TL, MDX, RDX. This year represents the 50th year that Honda has been producing cars in the United States, it’s first subsidary production outside of Japan.
Honda
Yesterday, Honda officially announced that it will stop production of the Honda s2000 roadster at the end of the 2009 production run. Honda had already announced it would stop R&D on the s2000 and NSX successors, so this marks a (hopefully temporary) end to Honda sports cars.
10 years is a really long run for a car that’s remained largely unchanged since its debut. Since 1999, there’s only been a few changes, most notably the 2.2L engine and front/rear bumpers in the 2004 AP2, and the Club Racer version in 2008. But other than that and a few dash, wheel and control changes, the s2000 stayed the same for longer than most, and I think the descision to end the run is justified. Not to mention, the end of production will help make the car a bit more special. Only about 65,000 were sold over the past 10 years in the United States (110,000 worldwide).
Hopefully when the economy kicks back up and people are looking to spend money on sports cars again, Honda will introduce another s2k-like car and stay true to its racing heritage.
Honda
With the recent news that Honda has ended R&D on the V8 NSX revision, comes more news from a British magazine, that Honda is also cancelling its work on the CR-Z convertible and not going to persue replacing the Honda s2000 in the near future.
The s2000 has never been a money maker for Honda, but it’s remained in the lineup as an example of fine craftsmanship from the company and a tribute to its long racing heritage. However, with a sliding economy that is hurting not only domestic, but foreign auto manufacturers alike, Honda is scaling back R&D for its sports cars in favor of fuel efficient and hybrid models that will be marketable for people looking to save, not splurge.
I for one wouldn’t mind much if Honda didn’t succeed the s2000, simply because it would make the car more of a classic instead of just being an older model that I would be reminded of every time I saw the new one. I’m sure if this rumor is true and Honda really is stopping R&D on these cars, that they will pick it back up sometime down the line. After all, it’s in their blood.
Honda, R&D
I know is an s2000 blog, and while the NSX is a quite different car than the s2k, it has a similar following and set of enthusiasts. The NSX, which was in production for 15 years ended its long run in 2005 and since then, Honda has been doing R&D on a possible NSX successor. However, with the worldwide car industry facing difficult times, Honda last week announced that the V-10 NSX that it had been working on to replace the classic NSX will be canceled, and all of the research funds dedicated to the project will be diverted to other Honda projects such as it’s Hybrid cars.
While Honda has faired better than the US automakers during this recession, they’re still being hit pretty hard with fewer people buying new cars in all markets. Honda has announced that it will cut production by 119,000 cars in the first quarter of 2009 over the same period last year.
Concepts, Honda, NSX