Across the industry automakers are cutting truck and SUV production in favor of more fuel-efficient cars. Honda has announced plans to cut its Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan production in order to pump out more of the highly sought after Civics.
Honda recently introduced an all-new Pilot and a refreshed Odyssey, but both models are not selling as well as Honda would like. Honda will close its plant in Lincoln, Alabama for two days next month. In addition the automaker is going to cut second shift production at the plant every Friday in August through October. Two days seems like nothing compared to what some of the automakers are doing.
Honda also recently announced that Ridgeline production is going to switch from Alliston, Ontario to Lincoln, Alabama. The popular Civic is going to take the Ridgeline's place in Ontario and also see its production boosted at the East Liberty, Ohio plant.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (17)
Down with the Bricks!!!
Up with the Doorstops!!!
Posted by Unpopular | July 21, 2008 7:23 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 19:23
Terrible planning. Its barely out of the gates and already stumbling. Not to mention its hideous and gets about the lamest gas mileage despite the crappy lying commercial they have on the TV.
Posted by Sandman | July 21, 2008 8:31 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 20:31
Why are they screwing second shift only from getting their hours? Maybe they should switch between 1st and 2nd, every other week or something. They probably get more per hour I bet for working (Im assuming) nights.
Posted by Alex | July 21, 2008 10:13 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 22:13
Well the Pilot is a piece anyway. It's a CAR people, and it doesn't even come with a V8 option. I mean really? You take the engine out of an Accord and stick it into a truck and this is suppose to be a good idea? I know the soccer moms love it, but calling it a truck is just retarded.
I'll take my wifes Rodeo any day.
Posted by Brian | July 21, 2008 10:32 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 22:32
around these parts you need to wait in line to buy a civic. those cars are just flying off the lots, and for good reason. used ones are just as hard to find at a reasonable price. good job, honda!
Posted by cobaltssman | July 21, 2008 11:48 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 23:48
The Odyssey still rocks.
My sister has an 06 EX-L...it's like an Acura. Even though it weighs 4,000lbs+, it still gets about 20mpg in the city and almost 30mpg on the freeway.
Posted by Noya | July 21, 2008 11:49 PM
Posted on July 21, 2008 23:49
dont blame the ugly design, blame the oil prices.
Posted by lowest iq | July 22, 2008 3:10 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 03:10
Nah, its too ugly even for cheap oil.
Posted by ..!!!... | July 22, 2008 4:26 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 04:26
When are they going to increase Fit production? That is the model that's in ridiculously short supply!!!
Posted by BobH | July 22, 2008 4:48 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 04:48
Remember: short supply = higher selling prices. That keeps their profits margins up.
Once the production of Odysseys go down, then Honda will have no problems selling off the remaining ones and keeps prices comfortably high. I am not knocking them - I have an Odyssey and have no quibble about the price. Its a fantastically made quality vehicle.
Regarding the Pilot... let it die... let it die. It's becoming an increasingly unpopular market segment. I think Honda would do better to introduce a smaller, lighter, cheaper Odyssey-like vehicle.
Posted by Icester | July 22, 2008 7:16 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 07:16
I'd say they should favor the Element, but how hard was it to design that. (About as hard as the Xb).
Step 1: Draw a cube.
Step 2: Add doors and windows.
Step 3: Add badges, chassis, and powertrain.
Step 4: Sell it.
Introducing the all new 2010 Honda Bloc, featuring elemental styling.. HAHAHAH
Posted by Brian | July 22, 2008 7:59 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 07:59
I agree with Icester, Honda should bring the Stream to the U.S. It could be a perfect antidote for people needing a people mover that provides more space than the CR-V. I recently went to look at the CR-V with my kids and it seemed to have less storage room than my 2000 Accord. Where is the utility. I cannot see buying an Odyssey, we only have two children and that thing is huge... way too much vehicle for my needs.
Posted by Turkle | July 22, 2008 8:00 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 08:00
I still can't get over the front-end looks of this thing. *shudders*
Posted by Arthur Pappas | July 22, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 09:20
@Arthur Pappas,
Agreed, it seems like they're taking styling cues from Dodge / Chrysler.
Posted by gm0n3y | July 22, 2008 11:13 AM
Posted on July 22, 2008 11:13
"Noya:
The Odyssey still rocks.
My sister has an 06 EX-L...it's like an Acura. Even though it weighs 4,000lbs+, it still gets about 20mpg in the city and almost 30mpg on the freeway."
Please! are you smoking something? the best MPG I got out of my brother in law 05 EX was 18 mpg on freeway. The guy who drove an 02 Sienna on our road trip was making fun of me every time I had to stop and refuel the gas hog while he was waiting.
Odyssey and Pilot are gas hogs compared to similar class vehicles. My friend 02 Pilot can only manage 19 mpg on highway. A Yukon can do 20 and it is a much bigger SUV. Honda did the right thing. They only know how to make good 4 cylinders cars.
Posted by noblekitty | July 22, 2008 10:37 PM
Posted on July 22, 2008 22:37
@noblekitty:
There must be something seriously wrong with that Odyssey if you are only getting 18mpg. Either that or you are driving at least 80+ mph. I have an '04 EX and I always get about 26-28 on the highway @ 70mph.
Best I've done was a 1000 mile trip, 4 people, van full of vacation gear (really full!), A/C running whole time, 70-75mph average, and I got 30 mpg. I usually get 18-20 in the city.
@Turkle:
Funny - I didn't even know about the Honda Stream until your post. Just shows how deprived Americans are of good choices. However, the Stream would do poorly in the US - it is very underpowered (1.7L = 123hp and the 2.0L = 160hp). I am also surprised at its poor gas mileage. They are listed at about 30 and 27 respectively for mixed driving. I would conservatively estimate that my big huge Odyssey with its 240hp gets about 24 for mixed driving. I would guess that the Stream might actually get slightly better mpg if the engine were a little more powerful.
Posted by Icester | July 23, 2008 9:17 AM
Posted on July 23, 2008 09:17
fueleconomy.gov listed the 05 Odyssey average EPA MPG rating is 19, city is 17, hwy is 23. And I believe EPA rating is always higher than the actual driver MPG. I think Icester need to recalculate his MPG again, unless your Odyssey is being hooked behind an RV. That confirmed that my brother's Odyssey is doing its normal sucky MPG rating. Big huge Odyssey is getting 24 MPG average? I am having a big laugh. Unless you got an EU model with a diesel under the hood.
Posted by noblekitty | July 23, 2008 8:25 PM
Posted on July 23, 2008 20:25