Where is the Honda Ridgeline heading?
By Andrew, 09 Sep, 2011. 0 Comments
2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport
Sales of the Honda Ridgeline plunged by 49% through August to 5,776 vehicles. There was much optimism about the mid-sized pickup when it was launched in 2005 but since then, not much was done to upgrade it. The fact that its sales have declined isn’t very surprising since there really aren’t any sheet metal changes and improvements in engineering to speak of for the last seven years. The model’s best year was in 2006, the year that it sold 50,193 units. From then on, sales had been dropping.
Only 16,142 units were sold in the full 12-month period, lower by 2% compared to the previous year, according to Autonews. The Ridgeline is a credible pickup but it does not meet most people’s needs and it really wasn’t meant to do so. It was created off a front-drive platform but it features a 1,500-pound-plus payload capacity and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Four-wheel drive is standard. Ridgeline owners have nothing but good things to say about the pickup.
Its highlights include its towing capacity, its ride and handling, and the standard tailgate that swings down or to the side like a door. Honda isn’t the sort of automaker that likes to discuss future products but a report last month from Automotive News indicated that the Ridgeline will be ended after about two years. Industry sources say that Honda is considering a smaller pickup to be derived from the CR-V platform. Already, observers don’t think it’s such a good idea to offer a smaller pickup based on a front-drive platform that has lower payload and towing capacity.
Gallery: 2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport
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