Honda's mojo
i've never know anyone who has been vactioned and lived to tell about it 
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Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Flintstone GA
As I look back on it I'm thinking Honda hasn't lost their way (mojo if you will) at all. Sales in the US took off around 1973 with the introduction of the Civic (and the oil embargo) followed by the CVCC and then the Accord.
These vehicles were utilitarian yet a cut above the VW Beetles of the time that were doomed by the emissions standards that ended the rear engine Beetle. Honda has conservatively followed that model ever since - find a niche, build a better variant, keep the stockholders happy.
I think it's more of an aberration that this company ever built the NSX or the S2000. I'm thankful every day that they did but I don't think they ever thought of those cars as more than a feather in the cap and a loss leader.
Get'em in the showroom - sell'em something else.
These vehicles were utilitarian yet a cut above the VW Beetles of the time that were doomed by the emissions standards that ended the rear engine Beetle. Honda has conservatively followed that model ever since - find a niche, build a better variant, keep the stockholders happy.
I think it's more of an aberration that this company ever built the NSX or the S2000. I'm thankful every day that they did but I don't think they ever thought of those cars as more than a feather in the cap and a loss leader.
Get'em in the showroom - sell'em something else.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: West Deptford NJ
Originally Posted by raymo19,Dec 6 2010, 05:11 PM
I think it's more of an aberration that this company ever built the NSX or the S2000.
The Civic was an econo-box and the Accord was utilitarian, but then there was the Prelude, a true sporty, stylish very cool car (my first Honda, a 79 new). But currently there is little fun or exciting.
I think that the wheels have come off of the cart. The Crosstour is a sales failure. The ZDX is a vehicle from another planet (actually the BMW X6 planet, and they aren't selling well either). The TL is a great car, but they have had to change the body style inside of two years (new one in the spring, not sure how substantial the redesign is, but there will be a body change, who was in charge of giving the customer a great design). The line-up is way cool, in a nerdy, geeky, techie way, but where is the excitement. You can't get new customers unless you find a way to get them into the showroom.
I would like to look at a new vehicle to replace my RDX, it looks like I might actually look elsewhere, for the first time since '79. It's disappointing.
But that's just my opinion, and it ain't worth that much.
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: On yo puter screen
Originally Posted by Zippy,Dec 6 2010, 07:27 PM
I respectfully disagree, simply because Honda has always made a big deal out of their racing heritage. F1 in the 60s and 80s.
The Civic was an econo-box and the Accord was utilitarian, but then there was the Prelude, a true sporty, stylish very cool car (my first Honda, a 79 new). But currently there is little fun or exciting.
I think that the wheels have come off of the cart. The Crosstour is a sales failure. The ZDX is a vehicle from another planet (actually the BMW X6 planet, and they aren't selling well either). The TL is a great car, but they have had to change the body style inside of two years (new one in the spring, not sure how substantial the redesign is, but there will be a body change, who was in charge of giving the customer a great design). The line-up is way cool, in a nerdy, geeky, techie way, but where is the excitement. You can't get new customers unless you find a way to get them into the showroom.
I would like to look at a new vehicle to replace my RDX, it looks like I might actually look elsewhere, for the first time since '79. It's disappointing.
But that's just my opinion, and it ain't worth that much.
The Civic was an econo-box and the Accord was utilitarian, but then there was the Prelude, a true sporty, stylish very cool car (my first Honda, a 79 new). But currently there is little fun or exciting.
I think that the wheels have come off of the cart. The Crosstour is a sales failure. The ZDX is a vehicle from another planet (actually the BMW X6 planet, and they aren't selling well either). The TL is a great car, but they have had to change the body style inside of two years (new one in the spring, not sure how substantial the redesign is, but there will be a body change, who was in charge of giving the customer a great design). The line-up is way cool, in a nerdy, geeky, techie way, but where is the excitement. You can't get new customers unless you find a way to get them into the showroom.
I would like to look at a new vehicle to replace my RDX, it looks like I might actually look elsewhere, for the first time since '79. It's disappointing.
But that's just my opinion, and it ain't worth that much.
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 78,840
Likes: 7
From: On yo puter screen
Originally Posted by raymo19,Dec 6 2010, 07:51 PM
I realize that but do you ever recall a major TV ad campaign for either the NSX or the S2000? I admit I don't watch a lot of ads but those would have caught my eye. I don't recall one during the entire production life of either.
But maybe I missed it.
But maybe I missed it.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds7uLhe-9js [/media]
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 33,177
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From: Randolph, NJ
[QUOTE=Mchester,Dec 6 2010, 02:09 PM] Element being canceled is a "Fail"? Really? Sales have consistently dropped for years so the decision comes to either replace the model or focus those resources elsewhere, and Honda made the decision to kill a slow selling, niche model past its prime. Seems like good business to me. Nothing says Honda can't revive the Element ideals in a new model down the road, but right now, those resources are needed elsewhere.
And as far as Honda's sales only recovering 4% for the year... Almost every article I read seems to neglect mentioning the fact that Honda also didn't take the 25-30% hit that other car makers did last year. So, Honda didn't fall as far and therefore they don't have as far to rebound.
Also, Honda's conscious decision to not fire sale vehicles like GM, Ford, and even Toyota have over the past year in order to gain market share, means better resale and retained value for customers AND retained future profits for Honda and its dealers. Once you start down the rebate road, there is no easy way back. Customers come to expect rebates and discounts even on brand new GM, Ford, Hyundai and now even Toyota models. I'd rather see Honda lose short term gains in favor of long term healthy sales and market share growth, once the economy turns around.
Apparently there are many forward thinking, resonable people out there that agree with Honda's long term plan. Hondas stock continues to reflect thier long term profit potential and good general business sense. Hondas stock is up 70%+ since December 2008. I rest my case.
And as far as Honda's sales only recovering 4% for the year... Almost every article I read seems to neglect mentioning the fact that Honda also didn't take the 25-30% hit that other car makers did last year. So, Honda didn't fall as far and therefore they don't have as far to rebound.
Also, Honda's conscious decision to not fire sale vehicles like GM, Ford, and even Toyota have over the past year in order to gain market share, means better resale and retained value for customers AND retained future profits for Honda and its dealers. Once you start down the rebate road, there is no easy way back. Customers come to expect rebates and discounts even on brand new GM, Ford, Hyundai and now even Toyota models. I'd rather see Honda lose short term gains in favor of long term healthy sales and market share growth, once the economy turns around.
Apparently there are many forward thinking, resonable people out there that agree with Honda's long term plan. Hondas stock continues to reflect thier long term profit potential and good general business sense. Hondas stock is up 70%+ since December 2008. I rest my case.