The challenges with the Honda Fit’s launch have now reportedly pushed back the launch of the new 2016 HR-V crossover.
Earlier this year Honda launched the all-new 2015 Honda Fit, but it wasn’t easy. Production of the new Fit was delayed due to problems at Honda’s new $800 million plant in Celaya, Mexico. The challenges with the Fit’s launch have now reportedly pushed back the launch of the new HR-V crossover.
Honda’s Celaya plant has struggled to keep up with demand for the new Fit, due to quality issues, language barriers at the plant and a rail system that is prone to delays. The challenges at the plant have lead to several quality issues with the new Fit, which have now caused the launch of the HR-V to be pushed back to spring 2015.
Related: 2016 Honda HR-V Officially Debuts Next Month in LA
The HR-V was supposed to arrive in early 2015.
Honda’s issues with launching its new plant in Mexico come at a time when several automakers are considering new plants in the country. With new plants coming online from BMW to VW and Kia, there will be a shortage of skilled workers and the rail transportation continues to be an issue. Railcars transporting the newly assembled vehicles can get hijacked. Honda dealers have said that there have been delays in Fit deliveries because cars have had to be repaired after parts were stolen from them while in transit from Mexico.
Source: Automotive News
