Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
Alright, autoblog posted the rest of the results. Here's how the rest of the major automakers did and their June sales for 2009 and 2008
Company 2010 2009 2008 . 2010 vs 2008 sales change
GM ........ 195k 177k 266k ....-27%
Ford ......176k 155k 174k .......+1%
Toyota ..141k 132k 193k ......-27%
Honda ....107k 100k 143k .....-25%
Chrysler ...92k .. 68k 117k .....-21%
The only major automaker to be above their June 2008 sales levels is Ford. Everyone else is still down significantly. I can't figure out why Honda's sales are so low relative to the other guys. GM lost 4 bands, Toyota's image was shattered. Chrysler ... need I say more? But Honda doesn't really have anything going against it yet they're in a worse position (relatively) than Chrysler is. Doesn't make sense. |
I think Honda's problem is a combination of two issues. First, a general lack of variety in offerings in terms of cars has got to hurt. If you want a Honda by and large you either get a Fit, Civic, or an Accord....and the fit is a niche offering at best. That's the whole shebang.
In the early 1990's you had the Civic, the Civic CRX (which was arguably different enough that it acted as a uniwue offering), the Prelude, and the Accord and you had greater variety within every model. there are no wagons now, not many hatchbacks either.
Honda just doesn't build that many cars anymore, and that is saying something because they weren't exactly flooding the market in the first place..
The other issue is, IMO, their offerings have lost their way a bit. My wife loves the Accord historically, thinks the thing is almost a philosophy on how to build a mainstream sedan as much as it is an actual sedan. She hates the current model....too large and it doesn't look like a Honda. Throw in the surprisingly disappointing interior on my nephew's current gen Civic Si and it isn't hard to figure out what is going wrong.
Shame too, once upon a time Honda was arguably the most respected small engine manufacturer in the world and now all of the poor choices overshadow that.