Honda's new president, Takanubo Ito, who took over for Takeo Fukui, recently stated that V8 engines and rear-wheel-drive are not in the automaker's near future.
"I don't think we need a classic front-engine, rear-drive car. It would be meaningless to emulate what other companies have done for more than five decades."
He also stated that, "We are considering incorporating new engines, motors, transmissions and chassis into mid- to large-sized hybrid vehicles." Fukui's plans to create V8s and a new rear-wheel-drive platform have been killed. Of course the economy probably had something to do with the decision.
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Comments (18)
I guess this statement is the final nail in the S2000's coffin. Too bad, as that is the best car Honda has ever produced. They are really missing an opportunity to create a car that has pedigree and a lineage.
Posted by Kevin | July 20, 2009 4:37 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 16:37
Wonder how Hyundai pulled that off and succeeded in a recession.
Posted by Andy | July 20, 2009 5:25 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 17:25
Wonder how Hyundai pulled that off and succeeded in a recession.
Posted by Andy | July 20, 2009 5:26 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 17:26
Honda knows they can't build anything sexy enough to compete with the Mustang, so they'll stick to their blandmobiles for the tasteless masses.
Posted by Chmilz | July 20, 2009 5:59 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 17:59
I agree with Chmitz...you hit the nail right on the head...the tasteless masses...that is their niche
Japanese car manufacturers are a bean counting operation...they do not care about heritage thats why they have no problem killing models off after a few years.
Honda is and always will be a grocery getter and cheap transportation...thats what its meant to do and it does its job very good. The cheap will never get rich
Posted by Jose Morales Jr | July 20, 2009 6:08 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 18:08
Didn't we go over this already a few months ago....
Posted by Avatar | July 20, 2009 7:03 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 19:03
"Japanese car manufacturers are a bean counting operation...they do not care about heritage thats why they have no problem killing models off after a few years."
Which ones are you refering to? Without doing homework, I dare say Honda, Toyota, and Nissan have killed off fewer models than their American counterparts over the past 20 years.
While I do find it an interesting decision, Honda is giving up a chunk of market they could have peeled from Nissan's Infiniti G series if they wanted. Oh well, life goes on.
Maybe Ito will focus his attention on making the trunk lid on that Acura bigger than a manhole cover.
Posted by Trooper Bri | July 20, 2009 8:31 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 20:31
hmm... how about v10s and AWD.
Posted by TrainRekS | July 20, 2009 9:28 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 21:28
Honda is stubborn as shit. Back in the 90's they were convinced that they didn't need an Accord with a V6 engine. They lost the sales crown for mid-sized cars to Ford, then Toyota. Oh lookie here. A V6 in the Accords!
Posted by lmnop88 | July 20, 2009 9:28 PM
Posted on July 20, 2009 21:28
I agree. Maybe when they lose a chunk of their market share to their RWD competitors, they'll change their minds.
Posted by vtfo0lio | July 21, 2009 7:57 AM
Posted on July 21, 2009 07:57
yeah thats why honda is struggling right now and ford is doing so well..... you guys are fools
Posted by bmm | July 21, 2009 8:54 AM
Posted on July 21, 2009 08:54
Well give it a year and lets see the sales number for Acura... What this crap who needs a down turn in the economy.
Posted by Brian | July 21, 2009 12:57 PM
Posted on July 21, 2009 12:57
Why wait a year? Here's their early 2009 figures "sales for Acura tallied 7,659 units, down 39.0 percent compared to last year. Year-to-date Acura sales total 15,515 units."
Hyundai was up almost 30%... I think we know who's doing things right. Down with the Straight H and up with the Crooked H.
Maybe if Acura can get some decent designers working for them the lack of RWD and V8 wouldn't matter.
Posted by Gary | July 21, 2009 1:17 PM
Posted on July 21, 2009 13:17
So let me get this straight, they kill of the RSX to move more "up-stream" but then decide not to go all the way and not offer a V8 or RWD. These two seem a bit contradictory to me...
Posted by E | July 21, 2009 1:38 PM
Posted on July 21, 2009 13:38
Gary, you're making a horrible comparison. Let's see what you just did....in a very bad global recession you decided to compare the sales figure of a luxury maker to an economy maker. Since most auto makers lost sales this year I'm sure Honda is still beat, but to imply it has anything to do with the design of their cars is supid. Walmart stock is doing great, does that make their Jewelry better than Tiffany's? Of course not, just that their product is a cheaper and a better fit for the current times. RWD and V8 sales are not going to make a big difference in Honda's sales, or Hyundai's. Honda is going to continue to be a strong company and when the market is right they'll bring back a sports car and maybe kick around a V8.
Maybe you want to grab the sales figures for Hyundai, tell us what models they sell the most....I bet it's not V8's or RWD!
I'm still disappointed in no RWD sports car, those with a little money to spend are starting to get snubbed with current offerings.
Posted by thetruth | July 22, 2009 6:46 AM
Posted on July 22, 2009 06:46
No RWD sports cars? 2010 Mustang, Camaro, Genesis Coupe, 135i, and G37. If you can't find one to like out of those, you have issues.
I got myself a Genesis Coupe
Posted by CrookedH | July 22, 2009 8:48 AM
Posted on July 22, 2009 08:48
I was referring to Honda in particular. While not everyone is a fan, I enjoyed their high RPM engines in the ITR and S2000. Never had a model with a K20, but I assume it was similar, just too bad it never went into a light car. I've had nothing but good luck with Honda's high performance engines, and sold both cars with high miles (over 160k) for way more than I figured them to be worth, so they've built some loyalty with me....just wish they had something I wanted to buy.
Posted by thetruth | July 22, 2009 11:44 PM
Posted on July 22, 2009 23:44
They should just kill off Acura and be done with it.
Posted by Bob Howland | August 4, 2009 3:43 PM
Posted on August 4, 2009 15:43