Topic: Honda holds commanding lead on Forbes.com's worst car flops of 2010

[Shnak]

Where do you see in my post that I wrote it was interesting news. I only wrote that discounting cars to this tune is hardly a sign of success.

Wrong. The Fusion's now considered to be extremely successful, in large part because of huge discounts. Discounts don't exactly mean failure (or success). It only means the asking prices weren't in-line with the market conditions.

[Guy]

More on the subject here: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101206/RETAIL03/312069954/1178

[kicker]

Guy . Good article , missed that one .

[Mitlov]

More on the subject here: http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20101206/RETAIL03/312069954/1178

At Honda, "no one talks about share," Mendel said in a recent interview. "Chasing share gets you into bad habits. We set a business plan to sell a certain number of cars. We don't set the plan based on an assumed share. We plan to grow 2 or 3 percent in volume in good times, and bad times. And there are times we'll give share back."

And Honda's bread-and-butter models (Accord, Civic, and CR-V) are all due to be replaced in 2011 or 2012.  Sales of the outgoing models are still respectable considering that the cars are at the end of their cycle.  Recently-updated bread-and-butter models (Odyssey and Fit) are also doing well.  It's only the niche cars that are really struggling.

[kicker]

If  Honda had introduced a brand new car in each class now , that the Fiesta ( Mazda 2 ), Elantra and Sonata are in , sales would be alot stronger as Mitlov mentioned .

[Mitlov]

If  Honda had introduced a brand new car in each class now , that the Fiesta ( Mazda 2 ), Elantra and Sonata are in , sales would be alot stronger as Mitlov mentioned .

The second-generation Fit was introduced for model year 2009.  It's barely two years old, yet for some reason is left out of every discussion of "why don't Honda's newer designs sell well?"  No company is going to introduce a whole new model every single time that one of its competitors introduces a new model.  Also, while I preferred the way the Fiesta drove and appreciated its sound insulation, the Fit offered FAR more usable space for a comparable price and exterior size.  It's not outclassed by the Fiesta and Mazda2, just different.

A new Civic will be on dealer lots about 6-9 months after the new Elantra and Focus hit dealer lots (i.e., late 2011 as a 2012 model).  It's not like they're planning on keeping the current model around for years.

The Accord isn't exactly ancient.  New in 2008 and facelifted in 2010, with a new model scheduled for 2012.  Typical five-year cycle.  It just so happens that some competitors are on a different five-year cycle, so their new cars come out as the Honda ages...but then the tables will be turned in three years, and so on, and so on.

[kicker]

Thats really interesting how you interpreted what I wrote .

You said
No company is going to introduce a whole new model every single time that one of its competitors introduces a new model. End quote

You are being on the defensive . Why is that ?

I was giving a reason why Honda sales are down . A perfectly justified reason .
Not because they make poor cars or whatever reasons some people like to think .
 
Why the Fit gets left out is because its not a New model , it uses the same name and looks similar to the last Fit .

I don't know if you have noticed other topics , like "Theory why the next Civic will be a winner ".
but if you had , you might assume I like Hondas . You would not be assuming wrong . I have owned 2 and liked them very much .
So in the future , if you see a post by kicker , chill and relax . I happen to like your SI too .
added
You are 1 american I genuinely like , you know your stuff .

[rrocket]

You are being on the defensive . Why is that ?

A) That's Mitlov

B) He owns 2 Hondas.

[kicker]

Whats his other Honda ?

[rrocket]

Whats his other Honda ?

Element

[kicker]

All I remember about the Element was its clever tough floor , so just looked it up for a bite .

Quote
The Element is one of the best bets for those who like the utility of SUVs but prefer the safety, handling, and fuel efficiency of cars .

[rrocket]

All I remember about the Element was its clever tough floor , so just looked it up for a bite .

Quote
The Element is one of the best bets for those who like the utility of SUVs but prefer the safety, handling, and fuel efficiency of cars .

But they aren't that fuel efficient with their brick-like shape (IMO). 

[Mitlov]

Sorry, kicker, I misinterpreted what you wrote.  I thought you were criticizing Honda for not bringing new models to market fast enough (which others have done), not simply stating that Honda was not at the same stage of its model cycle as Ford and Hyundai are right now (which is absolutely correct).

[kicker]

No probs .

[Serge06bill]

It's name itself was enough and so Honda enjoyed good response all these years. As the reports suggested,the response has come down and surely it is it's inability to keep up with the heat of the competition that is pulling it down.