Honda Shines

Honda has won 5 categories in Edmunds.com's 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own awards. They name the 2011 car and trucks in 23 categories with the lowest projected ownership cost in a 5 year period. The Accord won the Coupe $25-$35K category while also winning the Sedan $20-$30K category while the Civic Hybrid won the hybrid category, the Pilot winning the SUV $35-45K category and the Ridgeline nailing the Large Light Duty truck category.

One of the key factors were free maintenance plans that helped push the award winners to the top. Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, financing interest, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums assuming these vehicles are driven 15 000 miles per year.

2012 Honda Ridgeline

Despite rumors of its demise, the Ridgeline will continue to soldier into 2012 with a new trim model. Perhaps this is the last hurrah before the model is out but Honda is keeping it alive for another year by adding the Ridgeline Sport model. The model includes exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels, exclusive revised black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake housings and black mirrors and door handles. The Sport model is a step up from the RT model. It is unclear whether or not the Sport model will be only offered in Black or other colors. Expect the Ridgeline to arrive slightly later than the refreshed 2012 Pilot in mid and early October/fall 2011.

HONDA PRESS RELEASE:
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline receives improvements for style and fuel efficiency as the new Ridgeline Sport (pictured) introduces popular high-value features consistent with the entry 4-wheel-drive truck segment, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced on July 25, 2011. The new Ridgeline Sport model adds the following to Ridgeline RT standard features: exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels (+1 inch from RT steel wheels), exclusive black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake light housings, and black mirrors and door handles. The 2012 Ridgeline goes on sale November 2011.

Ridgline Nails

The Ridgeline was one of three pickups, the others being the Ram and F-Series to top the list of Strategic Vision's 2010 Total Value Awards. These awards measure the total perceived value amongst buyers. They interviewed 111 212 people who bought new vehicles between September 2009 and June 2010. With a top 1000 score, the TVI is calculated on buyer's perceptions towards total ownership experience and economic considerations as well as the price paid, affordability and resale value. 

Standard Pickup Segment:

Honda Ridgeline: 732 points
Toyota Tacoma: 681 points
Chevrolet Colorado: 671 points
Nissan Frontier: 656 points
GMC Canyon: 628 points
Dodge Dakota: 609 points
Ford Ranger: 580 points

Good News: Honda Ridgeline Staying

Over the past couple of months, there has been an influx of rumors dating to the axing of the Honda Ridgeline. Introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, the faux pickup truck hasn't exactly been a home base hit for Honda, it isn't really the best pickup truck, nor has it been near the best sellers.

Despite the dismal future for the Ridgeline, US Honda's exec John Mendel says that the Ridgeline has developed a strong following over the past couple of years, and Honda thinks it has "a ways to go on the Ridgeline."

Mendel did not elaborate on the future or when the FMC of the Ridgeline will arrive nor did he say any improvements, changes are coming to the Ridgeline in the near future.

Honda of Alabama 2010 Wrap

The Honda plant in Lincoln has successfully churned out 272 057 vehicles in 2010. Honda of Alabama produced 119 573 Odyssey minivans, 121 331 Pilot SUVs, 20 174 Ridgeline pickup trucks and 10 979 Accord V6 sedans at the Lincoln facility. Final and official production numbers for these vehicles will be verified in January 2011.

Throughout 2010, Honda has maintained stability in its 4 000 workers and has increased output with Saturday overtime productions in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2010.

Changes will be coming in 2011 with Honda's revised manufacturing system kicking in, allowing plants to adjust product mix due to market demand. Honda of Alabama will be increasing production of the Odyssey. Along with that, the Accord V6 will no longer be produced in Alabama as the entire V6 production of the sedan will move to Ohio in December. Line One will be building the Odyssey, Line Two will be building the Pilot and Ridgeline come the next few weeks.

US Honda Finance Offers

For more information, visit http://automobiles.honda.com/current-offers.aspx

To Die or Not To Die?

Rumors have been going around that Honda is considering dropping the Ridgeline truck past mid-2011. Citing low sales and lack of product planning, Honda may be getting out of the truck business. What do you think about this? Honda's first bold move into the American truck fray may as well be its last? Comment below!

2010 Honda Ridgeline Review

The Province has a review on the 2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L, you can read their review @ http://www.theprovince.com/cars/Road+test+2010+Honda+Ridgeline/2744459/story.html

The 2010 Honda Ridgeline EX-L Navi and I have a like/dislike kind of relationship. Over the years, I’ve driven a few of the Japanese automaker’s signature trucks and, well, I like its configuration and utility, but I’m not the biggest fan of its steering. Traditionally, I like a truck whose steering wheel is easier to turn and, for lack of a more technical term, its rather stiff. This, I think, has been my biggest hurdle in my conversion toward loving this vehicle.

Review - Auto123 on the 2009 Honda Ridgeline

( Quoted from Auto123 )
" But the compact and mid-size pickup segment isn’t as strong as the full-size one. Unlike the other Japanese brands that sell conventional models, Honda is trying its luck at offering something different. The Ridgeline is the pickup truck from Mars and looks like no other. By the way, the most visible difference between last year’s model is a redesigned front fascia. "

For more information, visit http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/ridgeline/2009/review?carid=1092301404&artid=109810 .

News - 2010 US Honda Ridgeline

The 2010 US Honda Ridgeline is here! The RTX model has been dropped leaving the RT, RTS, RTL and the RTL NAVI trims. Pricing for the 2010 US Honda Ridgeline starts at $28200.

Review - CanadianDriver on the 2009 Honda Ridgeline

( Quoted from CanadianDriver )
" Regular visitors to this column have probably noticed the latest in a string of automotive descriptors in the past month: ‘omni-ute’. The Honda Ridgeline is running mighty close to being an Honourable Mention in this category. What else would you call a crew cab pick-up, which still manages a trunk space that rivals most cars? The usual responses from the auto scribe community speak of the ‘Anti-Truck’, or ‘The Truck For People Who Don’t Like Trucks.’ Bushwah. Everybody likes trucks, especially when something needs to be hauled. What they don’t like is trucks that don’t fit in suburban garages, high teens for litres of fuel used per 100 kilometres, and parkability that requires either a) a crew of spotters, or b) a very long walk across the parking lot. "

For more information, visit http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/08/20/inside-story-2009-honda-ridgeline-vp.htm .

Review - Auto123 on the 2009 Honda Ridgeline

( Quoted from Auto123 )
" Five years later, in 2009, we know the Ridgeline uses a revolutionary idea in construction. Ridgeline is the first vehicle to combine a boxed frame and unibody construction. You have to think of it as a full frame, complete with cross members that has the gaps filled in with sheet metal (Honda has gone on to use this type of construction in other vehicles). The biggest advantages to this method of construction are chassis rigidity and light weight compared to a regular truck frame. "

For more information, visit http://www.auto123.com/en/honda/ridgeline/2009/review?carid=1092301401&artid=109312 .

Sales - Honda America July 2009

American Honda Motor Co., reported sales in July fell 17.3% on low volumes of its Accord sedan, trucks and SUV models. Sales fell to 114690 vehicles from 138744 from last year. Honda sales are down 30.7% at 645468 so far year to date. the U.S. unit of the No. 2 Japanese carmaker, said Monday its auto sales in July fell 17.3 percent on lower volumes of its Accord sedan and its trucks and SUVs. Acura fell 32.5%, selling 8662 units in July.

THE GOOD: The Civic increased 3.1% to 30037 units and the CR-V increased sales by 9.9% to 19151 units. The TL is the bright spot for Acura, albeit down 16% sitting at 3309 sales in July.

THE BAD: The 2010 Insight has sold only 2295 models in July. Its cousin, the Honda Civic Hybrid has seen sales dip 71% from 3440 units in 2008 to only 969 units in 2009. Odyssey and Ridgeline sales are at half of what they were last July 2008, sitting at 6785 and 1184 units respectively. At Acura, the RL is down an amazing 75% from 532 units last year to 131 units in July 2009. The RDX is also down as well, sitting at a paltry 519 units, down 62.5% from last year.

Sales - Honda Canada July 2009

Honda Canada has reported combined July sales of 12984 cars from its Acura and Honda divisions, down 19% from last year. The Honda Automobile division sold 11340 cars, down 22% from last year, while surprisingly, the Acura Automobile division sold 1644 cars, up 7% from last year. Truck sales helped Honda Canada's sales, with the Ridgeline gaining a 152% monthly increase (Canadians must love their trucks) and the CR-V posting a 29% monthly increase. The Acura MDX helped to boost Acura's sales with another monthly record, up 16% from last year.

UPDATE - 2010 Honda Changes

Honda -
2010 Honda Civic - Civic Si's engine cover will change from silver to black. The Green Tea Metallic color will be eliminated from the Civic GX trim.
2010 Honda Element - The Element will survive for another year.
2010 Honda Odyssey, Pilot, Ridgeline - New colors added on the 3 models, Alabaster Silver Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Polished Metal Metallic.
2010 Honda S2000 - A goner. It has died.

Future - 2010 Acura/Honda Model Changes

Acura -
2010 Acura TSX - New V6 model, revised EPS programming and revised pedal ratio, improved navigation system and improved MID. Available Now.
2010 Acura TL - No changes expected.
2010 Acura RL - No changes, available now.
2010 Acura RDX - MMC, new front and rear ends, slight interior revision, new FWD model, available now.
2010 Acura MDX - MMC, redesigned front end, slight revisions on the rear end and interior, new 3.7 V6 engine with 6-speed auto, additional technology originally exclusively featured on the RL now passed onto the MDX.
2010 Acura ZDX - New model, BMW X6-type vehicle (CUV), glass roof expected, expect SH-AWD with 3.7 V6 engine and a 6-speed auto, to be priced above the MDX.

Honda -
2010 Honda Accord - Redesigned HVAC controls and an improved look to the interior trim on all models. EX gets more trunk lining, and finally, rear air vents are added to the EX sedan. EX-L models now receive Bluetooth on non-nav and nav-equipped models. There are two new colors, Bali Blue Pearl and Dark Cherry Pearl.
2010 Honda Civic - There are no changes, including no colour changes.
2010 Honda Crosstour - New model, based on Accord platform, a mix of hatchback and wagon styles, expect arrival in November 2009.
2010 Honda CR-V - The CR-V will receive it's MMC for 2010, expect a more "Honda" look for the front end, minimal rear end revisions and a slight freshening of the interior look along with new colors.
2010 Honda Element - Will it survive till the 2010 year? If it does, expect little to no changes.
2010 Honda Fit - Expect no changes with the exception of a few color changes.
2010 Honda Insight - Available now.
2010 Honda Odyssey - A new cloth rear entertainment trim and PAX tires are gone from the Touring model. Available now.
2010 Honda Pilot - No changes, available now.
2010 Honda Ridgeline - The RTX model is gone, FMC arrives in 2011.

Honda Canada's New Marketing Ad

Here are some of the deals that Canadians are getting for their Hondas north of the border in Canada.

Note: All Hondas sold in Canada will apply to have an extra 1% off the GST, allowing Canadians to pay 5% GST before the GST cut to 5% in January 2008.

2008 Honda Civic (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 36 Months

2008 Honda Fit (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 36 Months

2008 Honda Element (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 60 Months

2008 Honda Ridgeline (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 60 Months

2008 Honda Pilot (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 60 Months

2008 Honda CR-V (Select models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 36 Months

2007 Honda Odyssey (Very few models)
0.9% Purchase Financing for up to 60 Months

Lease Rates have also been reduced for all Canadian Honda models.

As you can see, the new 2008 Honda Accord is absent from the 0.9% Purchase Financing, this is because that it is a new vehicle and higher finance/lease rates are expected.

Also depending on the province you live in, you may benefit from increased or decreased finance/lease rates.

Again, depending on where you reside in, shop around all the Honda dealers in your area because some dealers are willing to take up to $4000 off some Hondas and some are not willing to negotiate the pricing at all.

2008 Canadian vs. US Honda Prices

Now that the Canadian dollar is already past on-par with the US dollar, here is a comparison of prices of Honda models in Canada compared to models in the states. I've compared similarily equipped models that are the same on both sides of the border.

Note: All Prices are MSRP with no additional charges.
Note 2: (Manual/Automatic) means that the price is the same for manual and automatic transmissions
Note 3: The Honda Odyssey and Honda S2000 are not listed here because that the 2008 Canadian Odyssey and 2008 Canadian S2000 has not been introduced yet.

2008 Honda Accord EX Coupe (Manual) US vs. Canada
$23 160 in US vs. $27 990 in Canada

2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6 NAVI Coupe (Manual/Automatic) US vs. Canada
$30 510 in US vs. $38 290 in Canada

2008 Honda Accord LX Sedan (Manual) US vs. Canada
$20 360 in US vs. $25 090 in Canada

2008 Honda Accord EX-L Sedan (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$25 860 in US vs. $31 090 in Canada

2008 Honda Accord EX-L V6 NAVI Sedan (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$30 260 in US vs. $37 790 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic DX Coupe (Manual) US vs. Canada
$14 810 in US vs. $17 190 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic EX-L Coupe (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$22 460 in US vs. $24 980 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic Si Coupe (Manual) US vs. Canada
$21 110 in US vs. $26 680 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic DX Sedan (Manual) US vs. Canada
$15 010 in US vs. $16 990 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic EX-L Sedan (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$20 710 in US vs. $23 480 in Canada

2008 Honda Civic Si Sedan (Manual) US vs. Canada
$21 310 in US vs. $26 680 in Canada

2008 Honda CR-V LX 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$21 900 in US vs. $29 790 in Canada

2008 Honda CR-V EX-L NAVI 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$28 400 in US vs. $37 790 in Canada

2008 Honda Element LX 2WD (Manual) US vs. Canada
$18 980 in US vs. $25 290 in Canada

2008 Honda Element EX 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$23 190 in US vs. $31 590 in Canada

2008 Honda Element SC (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$23 575 in US vs. $31 190 in Canada

2008 Honda Fit Sport (Manual) US vs. Canada
$15 270 in US vs. $19 580 in Canada

2008 Honda Fit Sport (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$16 070 in US vs. $20 880 in Canada

2008 Honda Pilot SE 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$32 995 in US vs. $43 990 in Canada

2008 Honda Pilot EX-L NAVI 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$35 645 in US vs. $46 690 in Canada

2008 Honda Ridgeline LX/RT 4WD (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$28 000 in US vs. $35 820 in Canada

2008 Honda Ridgeline EX-L NAVI/RTL NAVI (Automatic) US vs. Canada
$35 090 in US vs. $45 220 in Canada

2008 Honda Ridgeline "Accessorized"

2008 Honda Ridgeline Available Accessories:

XM Satellite Radio, iPod Music Link, MP3 Player, DVD System, Rearview Camera, Backup Sensors, Security System, Fog Light Kit, Automatic Dimming Rearview Mirror with Compass, Carpet Floor Mats, Homelink Upgrade, Interior Trim Kit, Rear Underseat Storage or Tray, In-Bed Trunk Mat, In-Bed Trunk Dividers, Cigarette Lighter, Cup-Style Ashtray, Hood Air Deflector, Rear Splash Guards, Running Boards, Rectangular/Chrome/Black/Silver Side Steps, Bed Extender, Bed Cargo Net, Motorcycle Wheel Guide, Front Grille, Front Lower Trim, Front and Rear Bumper Trim, Tailight Trim, Door Visors, Full Nose Mask, Moonroof Visor, Bodyside Mouldings, Gold RIDGELINE Emblem, Trailer Hitch, Trailer Hitch Harness, Draw Bar Locking Hitch Pin, Hitch Ball, 17" Chrome DFS-M5 Alloy Wheels, 17" Machine Finished Alloy Wheels, Alloy or Steel Wheel Locks, Fender Flares, Tonneau Cover System, Roof Rack, Bike/Kayak/Ski/Snowboard/Surfboard Attachment, Luggage Basket, Small Roof Box, Oil Filter with Washer, Rubber Floor Mat Set, Air Filter, Immobilizer Key with Remote, Wiper Blades, Wiper Inserts, Micron Air Filter, Alloy Wheel Centre Cap, Front or Rear Brake Pad Set, RIDGELINE Emblems, Chrome 4WD Emblem.

Cars.com 2008 Honda Ridgeline Expert Review

Find it @ http://research.cars.com/go/crp/research.jsp?revid=51860&makeid=18&modelid=7791&year=2008&revlogtype=20&section=reviews