Comments on: Honda Dumps Trucks, Creates Cars

By: rm

rm — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:36:50 +0000

SkiD666:

Honda’s flexibility is far more fine grained than that. If I understand the process correctly, assuming subcomponent logistics are in place, Honda can run a Ridgeline down the same line as a Civic. They have to leave a gap in the line so the switch isn’t without cost, but they can do it. Dedicating a factory to production of a specific vehicle just means they’re running the line(s) more efficiently.

Honda deliberately engineers their vehicles to work within their manufacturing system so that they maintain this level of flexibility. Contrast that to the Detroit OEMs where plants are capable of producing only a small subset of the total product mix, and you can see where Honda’s investment in ‘build anything, anywhere, anytime’ flexibility could pay off significantly.

By: Bunter1

Bunter1 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:23:03 +0000

Gotta take the opposite stance on the Ridgeline, Fleet centrals MY08 data showed the Ridge retail sales ahead of the Dakota and Canyon.
Considering that it is only available as a crewcab/shortbed/V6/auto with no low price model this is impressive.
I suspect that only the Taco moves more V6 crews in the mid-size market.
This is a failure?

Sorry mikeolan, but the Ridge spanked every competitor in every comparo I saw and owner satisfaction numbers and long term test responses have been excellent.
I admit it is not for everbody but miserable?

Just some pentup Ridgeline thoughts.

Bunter

By: mikeolan

mikeolan — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:30:57 +0000

That doesn’t justify the fact that the Ridgeline is one of the most miserable vehicles in existence on the road today…. and Accord sales have plummeted- people don’t want a fat, inefficient Honda.

By: AJ

AJ — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:14:18 +0000

About two months a co-worker bought an Accord due to that she couldn’t get a Civic at the time, which is what she was told was common that people were upgrading to an Accord.

Tomorrow I am picking up a Civic I ordered five weeks ago. The dealer I recall had a lot full of Civics a year ago and now only has a couple at a time on the lot. I went by this morning and along with my coupe they had received four sedans.

I’ll add that I’m a Jeep guy, but I’m tired of buying UAW built vehicles when they support socialist politicians. Take that UAW!

By: chuckgoolsbee

chuckgoolsbee — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:06:50 +0000

The key to success in manufacturing is being able change your products and product lines as the market changes. Is anyone surprised by this move? The only thing that surprises me is that it didn’t happen three years ago.

How many Silverado’s and Tahoe’s is GM pumping out right now, to dealer lots that are already stuffed with unsold ones?

–chuck

By: SkiD666

SkiD666 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:58:38 +0000

Even if their factories can quickly switch from Ridgeline and Pilots to Accords. The following question must be asked: In the current market, are Accord sales increasing?

If not, capacity will need to be reduced and workers let go (although, that is still better than closing a whole plant).

By: BlueBrat

BlueBrat — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:36:37 +0000

Am I the only one who wants them to make that concept car?

By: SherbornSean

SherbornSean — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:16:20 +0000

Of course, the WSJ completely blew the article, claiming that Honda would reduce Pilot production by 8,000 units/month, or 32%. That would indicate that Honda sells close to 300K Pilots a year, which is way off.

You would think the WSJ was capable of differentiating between the output of a factory and the output of one of the models built there. Luckily, TTAC is here.