Article: "Honda needs to get its mojo back"

[range]

Looks like BON is leading the media by months. We've been saying the same thing about Honda since last year.

 

LINK

[Michael Reynolds]

The Ridgeline is considered as thinking outside of the box? Let's dissect that for a second:

 

-A V-6 in a market dominated by V-8s. Alright so you might not need a V-8 but what's the purpose of a V-6 if the fuel economy is almost as worse than those found in similar vehicles equipped with V-8's

 

-Carlike handling. Buy a car, besides pickups like the F 150 have been lauded for their 'car-like' handling

 

-The trunk in the bed. I will give Honda that much (it is a decent idea), but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the trunk in the bed of that truck is in the exact same position that the fold-in-floor seating is stored in the Odyssey.

 

To top it all of the interiors of those things are nothing to write home about.

 

Basically if you ask me Honda never had any real mainstream mojo. What they do have is a reputation, and that my friends is how Honda has pushed so many of their lackluster/unimagnitive cars (sans the NSX).

Edited February 27, 2006 by Michael Reynolds

[sullynd]

-The trunk in the bed. I will give Honda that much (it is a decent idea), but I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that the trunk in the bed of that truck is in the exact same position that the fold-in-floor seating is stored in the Odyssey.

 

It's a good idea - until you get a flat tire with a bed full of cargo.

[68Cougar]

The Ridgeline is considered as thinking outside of the box?

Maybe it needs to go into the box, so they can bury it.

[marc-o]

Honda lost its mojo a long time ago, real Honda enthusiasts noticed that years ago. Many of the current lame vehicles are the result of misguided leadership, and trying to please everyone. I believe in late 2004 a new CEO or President came in, from engineering (not marketing) who is basically straightening things out. We'll see how that turns out.

[range]

I think the article's analogy of Sony is spot on.

 

Sony (and Honda) used to have reputations for innovation and quality. Then along came Samsung and gave buyers a cheaper alternative to Sony. I see the same thing happening to Honda today. Their products are more middle-of-the-road and bland and don't offer any overwhealming reason for consumers to pay more for them.

 

Ditto on the quality front. Honda has trended down in quality and does not stand out from the crowd. The two embarassing recalls of the new Civic only reinforces that perception.

 

So, consumers are left asking, why should one pay a premium for a Honda when you can get a Hyundai that in some cases looks better and has equal or better quality than the Honda.

 

The fact that these trends are happening (lack of differention in quality and innovation) has forced Honda to increase their warranty coverage and increase their incentive spending.

[cjeffers17]

I think the article's analogy of Sony is spot on.

 

Sony (and Honda) used to have reputations for innovation and quality. Then along came Samsung and gave buyers a cheaper alternative to Sony. I see the same thing happening to Honda today. Their products are more middle-of-the-road and bland and don't offer any overwhealming reason for consumers to pay more for them.

 

Ditto on the quality front. Honda has trended down in quality and does not stand out from the crowd. The two embarassing recalls of the new Civic only reinforces that perception.

 

So, consumers are left asking, why should one pay a premium for a Honda when you can get a Hyundai that in some cases looks better and has equal or better quality than the Honda.

 

The fact that these trends are happening (lack of differention in quality and innovation) has forced Honda to increase their warranty coverage and increase their incentive spending.

 

What are the 2 recalls on the Civic?? Don't worry I won't tell anyone.....LOL