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Can Honda get its mojo back?

510 messages,  Last post on May 14, 2013 at 7:27 AM

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Messages Page 46 of 52

#449 of 510 three-decade journey by steve_ HOST

Oct 28, 2012 (9:01 am)

"Thirty years ago, the first Accord rolled off the line at Honda's Marysville, Ohio, plant, the first car a Japanese automaker assembled in the U.S., changing the competitive landscape of American automaking forever.
 
Though its world headquarters remains in Japan, Honda makes and sells more cars in North America than in any other continent. The seven plants can produce 1.63 million vehicles a year now and will boost annual capacity to 1.92 million vehicles when a new$800-million plant in Celaya, Mexico, starts production in 2014."
 
Honda's Ohio plant changed competitive landscape in America (Detroit Free Press)

#450 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [andre1969] by stickguy

Oct 28, 2012 (1:31 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Oct 08, 2012 4:08 pm)
I had a 2005, which was to me a nice size and a well balanced car. Not stylish, but not offensive either. The next (last now) generation, I did not like. Way too big, seemed bloated, and not at all interesting to me.
 
the new one though, I would consider if I needed a full sized mid size (what I consider these). Looks nice, and a bit trimmer. still barge like though, but most of these are now.
 
one thing that I like about the Accord, when you read the comparison tests, is visibility. One of the few with decent sized windows, reasonably low belt line, and a decent view out. Some of the other cars in the class are like looking out of a tank turret.

#451 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [stickguy] by berri

Oct 28, 2012 (6:12 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Oct 28, 2012 1:31 pm)
What I found interesting in that CD article was that it was pretty high on the new Camry, but then Motor Trend came out very down on the Camry due to things like rattles and a light assembly falling out of the roof...hmm, sounded like "Old GM" disease. They also took opposite positions on the new VW Passat.
 
I'm thinking that Honda dropping the front end wishbone suspension won't be a big deal in the marketplace even though it may dismay a few Honda purists?

#452 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [berri] by stickguy

Oct 28, 2012 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: berri (Oct 28, 2012 6:12 pm)
those purists long since abandoned the Accord.
 
Or, they joined the 99% of the buyers that neither know nor car what kind of front suspension the car has. Or transmission, or any other dirty bit, as long as it is smooth, quiet, economical and reliable.

#453 of 510 taking a U-Turn by steve_ HOST

Oct 29, 2012 (9:53 am)

Slower-than-expected sales and the yen's strength against other currencies forced Japan's third-biggest car maker to lower its net profit projection.
  
"Our earnings outlook has been affected by lower sales due to the situation in China" and other key markets, Finance chief Fumihiko Ike said at a news conference Monday. Honda also posted weak second-quarter results, which Mr. Ike blamed in part on higher spending on marketing and incentives in the U.S. to clear out older inventory that acted as a drag on profits."
 
Honda Chops Forecast WSJ

#454 of 510 Re: taking a U-Turn [steve_] by berri

Oct 29, 2012 (11:20 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Oct 29, 2012 9:53 am)
That's kind of funny Steve, because when I look at the ads it seems Detroit is often priced higher than Japan these days because D3 seems to have inflated their sticker prices more.

#455 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [stickguy] by victor23

Oct 29, 2012 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: stickguy (Oct 28, 2012 7:26 pm)
those purists long since abandoned the Accord.
Or, they joined the 99% of the buyers that neither know nor car what kind of front suspension the car has. Or transmission, or any other dirty bit, as long as it is smooth, quiet, economical and reliable.
 
Probably I am one of those, because I don't really care as long as it is "fun-to-drive" AND "pleasure-to-ride" AND "low-maintenance" AND reliable. I did abandon, and one of the "deal-breakers" was the consistently high turning diameter in V6 Accords (among the highest in the class). It was a frustrating 39.6' in my 2007.
 
As concerns the style, I agree, I also liked 2003-2005 the most (elegant inside; not outstanding, but consistent outside; not too big for a personal transportation); 2006 redesign was "more inoffensive", but rather eclectic. 2008 was "noble", but not elegant, outside, and mostly disappointing inside, and its mid-cycle redesign was, again, "more inoffensive", but bland and eclectic. 2013 seems to be the most inoffensive of all on paper (have yet to see it "in person").

#456 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [victor23] by andre1969

Oct 29, 2012 (4:33 pm)

Replying to: victor23 (Oct 29, 2012 12:20 pm)
its mid-cycle redesign was, again, "more inoffensive", but bland and eclectic. 2013 seems to be the most inoffensive of all on paper (have yet to see it "in person").
 
That mid cycle refresh must have been bland as heck, as I never even noticed that there was one!
 
I saw a 2013 Accord a couple weeks ago. I thought it was nice looking.

#457 of 510 New Accord by sandman_6472

Oct 30, 2012 (8:37 am)

Saw my 1st new Accord last night at the gas station and I like it! The rear end looks especially nice and since it had nice alloys, I'm assuming it was an EX model. I think this car will age nicely...looks much better than the last generation for some reason. Looks better than the new Camry overall...I would definitely buy one if in the market for a mid-sized sedan right now. Like it even better than the new Fusion, which is a very good looking new model...I'd choose the Fusion over the Camry if they were my two choices for my next ride and I'm not really a Ford person at all.
All I can say is...good job Honda!
 
The Sandman

#458 of 510 Re: from Car and Driver re: Honda's mojo [andre1969] by victor23

Oct 30, 2012 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: andre1969 (Oct 29, 2012 4:33 pm)
That mid cycle refresh must have been bland as heck, as I never even noticed that there was one!
 
The too-much-chrome-too-rectangular grille was gone; I liked the new one at first, but very soon it became too much reminding of 1950s and lacking any (even if poor) personality. The rear lamps were added with horisontal strips looking like light-reflecting stickers stuck onto an antique car.

Messages Page 46 of 52

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