Honda Ridgeline, RIP?
Anonymous sources tell the always on-point pickuptrucks.com that Honda will not be replacing its Ridgeline pickup when its lifecycle ends after the 2011 model year. Honda is refusing comment on the Ridgeline’s future, but did tell AL.com that production will continue through 2011, and that “as of right now, we have no plans to discontinue Ridgeline.” But from a sales perspective, Honda might do well to let the unibody pickup die of natural causes. Though the unconventional Ridgeline came close its initial sales goals of about 50k units per year for the first three years of its life, by 2008 sales had dropped to 33,875. Last year the sales drop snowballed, with a 51 percent volume drop to 16,464 units. So yeah, we’ve been noticing that Honda seems less than completely enthused about its tentative attempt at the truck market. The end could well be near. Hilarious counterpoint to Howie Long’s video (above) available here.
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I like the idea of the ridgeline, however it needs to be a bout the size of a crv or element with a fule efficient 4 banger. Then I think they would have had a hit.
So many good posts. I agree with most: especially the poor fuel efficiency, and lack of bed length and capacity. I'd like to add one more. I never understood why there was no extended cab version with a longer box. They know how to make double doors as on the Element, and most compact trucks I see are regular cab 2WD, or extended cab 4WD. It seems to me an extended cab and longer box would have opened the truck to a wider audience. Nissan is sharing the Frontier with Suzuki, I'm sure they'd be open to Honda too (if they ask politely).
I made a comment above... might interest you... Now. The doors on the Element aren't double doors. They hinge on a B pillar, integrated into the rear doors, just like the Saturn Ion 3dr (which only had the concept on the driver's side) I'd love to know what asshole thought that safety violator up. I'd also love to see how it did in side impacts and roof safety. I think its a tragic / bullshit / cheap shit concept.. to use the pillar as a part of the door. It locks in down below, but I don't believe its as strong as if it had its own pillar to attach to. So no, the Element doesn't have double doors. Different concept entirely. Its quite possible to take the Ody, hack out the rear qtr, pull the rear end out another 2' and you'd have a decent vehicle, in theory of course. Again.. Honda builds their vehicles to take on more than 1 size class of vehicle. This isn't news.
Ok, I had to register to post a comment. I didn't read all the comments but most were beating the Ridgeline up pretty bad. I have owned 3 late model brand new Dodge Rams, a 1996, 2000, and 2002. All were great trucks but I'd take my 2006 Ridgeline over any of them any day! I've owned a couple Chevys, a Nissan and a Ford too and I'd still take my Ridgeline any day. I think I've given almost every truck manufacturer a chance and I'd still come back to my Honda. Toyotas are too damned over priced. Once you start adding options to Toyotas the prices sky rocket. I should mention I bought my Ridgeline used. I considered Toyota, but I still got a better equipped used Honda for less then a used Toyota.