Honda has definately lost it. They want to discontinue the NSX. They have already spent so much in R&D and are still one of the most profitable companies with the best brand loyalty out there. Are such conservative measures really necessary? These companies DO have a future and the economy and finance and spending will come back, just not instantly. They certainly don't need to make these drastic changes for image, as they are already known for their conservativism. If they 86 the s2000 successor, then that's it for me. I will have to change brands. You certainly don't buy the S2000 for its speed or luxury, you buy it for its soul, character, and pureness. If Honda continues to dilute their perfomance try to mainstream into what will yield only slightly better "profits," they will paradoxically decrease some of their loyalty. Thoughts?

 

well, though not happy with the news, i understand the move. the worldwide auto industry is hurting badly. 40 billion to the european auto makers from their governments. possible money to the americans from their government. possible 3.5 billion from canada to the big 3 (for operations in canada).

not even honda is spared from the slumping worldwide economy. people aren't spending because times are tight, and they're def not spending on big pricey things they dont need like cars. surely that doesn't mean cars wont sell, it just means they'll sell in much lower volumes.

personally, im glad honda has the attitude to "do it right, or don't do it at all" with the next-gen NSX (yea yea i know its not truly one, please dont flame me over a name). hopefully just wait a few years, have a nice turn around in the market, and figure out where to go from here. Honda knows it doesn't NEED to have this car (mind you the gains toyota made without a sports car in its lineup), so they're not wasting money.

 

During these economic tough times any wise auto-maker will promote it's econo-car class. People demand thrifty vehicles, not expensive sport cars or gas guzzling SUV's.

 

Brand loyalty is overrated anyway IMO. Just because I love my S2000 doesn't mean that I'm going to go out any buy an Odyssey, Ridgeline, etc...

Honda needs to do whatever it needs to do. NSX or no NSX doesn't affect my impression of them until I can afford and want one.

Could you post your financial analysis and forecast for us to review? Or is this another "armchair" industry analyst posting? Seems like every forum site I visit is full of such experts.

 

Honestly surprising...the market sector that would buy the NSX is still there. They may have lost money in the stock market, but the fact remains there are still a lot of wealthy folks out there.

 

Smart move, they don't need the warranty headaches with a powerful car especially since they haven't built anything with near that HP. It'd be a nightmare if it ended up with a glass tranny or diff.

 

I like that sentence a lot!

 

At the present time, wealthy people have stopped buying expensive cars. For example, Ferrari sales are way down in November (92 cars vs 600 last year). A friend of mine who owns several high-end sports car has put a hold on his car-buying for the time being. The crisis is beginning to affect everyone, and I think it's a wise move to put a halt on the NSX's development for now.

 

The NSX would be an eye sore on a balance sheet, it requires a lot of effort to start a brand new line.

I hope they stop building the s2000 already so we can see some better resale values

 

were you planning on buying a new nsx?