Honda to Defend Cars

Many are beginning to wonder if cars are a thing of the past. The Detroit Three have all cut back their offerings on cars to push towards the SUV and truck-wanting market, despite 30 percent of the market still being claimed by sedans.

Honda’s Henio Arcangeli is set to defend the importance of cars today when speaking to the APA in Detroit. The Accord and the Civic continue to be the best-selling sedans in the US with a combined 616,831 unit sales last year. Chrysler, GM and Ford, of course, have shied away from cars as historically they have not done great in the sedan market because of quality and reliability. But why the big endorsement from Honda?

Some, including me, would say that part of Honda supporting cars in such a public way is because it’s lost so much ground in the SUV and truck markets. It recently added the Honda Passport, Honda’s fourth SUV, to try to compete in this market. But, does anyone even drive the Honda Ridgeline? Someone must be, considering its year-over-year sales were up 3.1 percent last month, but that’s nothing to celebrate over in the long-term.

It also looks like Honda will continue investing in new car technology, specifically electric and fuel cells as it currently offers five “electrified” cars. The 2019 Insight is said to rival the Toyota Prius at 50 MPG, but in a full-size car instead of a Prius-sized car. Again – more push for cars. Honda doesn’t offer any electric SUVs, despite others being on the market.

So will Honda survive despite its limited SUV and truck options? More than likely. Its cars are the most popular in the US. Even if it can’t compete in other vehicle markets, that alone should save them.