In the mid-size sedan segment, American automakers are running away from this type of vehicle but Japanese, South Korean, and German automakers keep on keeping on. The thing is, Honda and the once-popular Accord are feeling the pressure of the crossover onslaught.
“Honda is slashing production of the Accord and three other slow-selling models at its flagship U.S. assembly plant in Marysville, Ohio,” according to The Detroit Bureau. More to the point, one shift will be discontinued from the North American plant as demand keeps getting worse.
As fate would have it, the Toyota Camry is selling better than last year so far in 2019. It should be mentioned, however, that the bigger of the two Japanese automakers is discounting the Camry far more than Honda does with the Accord. Chief operating officer Seiji Kuraishi let it slip that Honda doesn’t intend to get caught in this price-cutting rivalry.
The three other models affected by the slash in production include the CR-V, ILX, and TLX. The Honda CR-V is probably the most unexpected of the lot, but then again, the 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines are known for substandard reliability in the first years of ownership.
Even though passenger cars continue to account for 50 percent of sales in the United States for Honda, there’s no denying the brand has to focus on crossovers, SUVs, trucks, and on those sweet discounts. It remains to be seen, however, if the higher-ups are prepared to take this decision.
“Hybrid or turbocharged, it’s the most impressive Honda yet.” That’s how the brand describes the Accord on the U.S. website, and the claim is all the more curious given the existence of the NSX. Pricing starts at $23,720 excluding destination charge, and five trim levels are available for the 2019 model year.
The LX opens the list with a multi-angle rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features, and a 1.5-liter turbo. The Hybrid in bog-standard configuration features the same equipment as the LX, but pricing levels up to $25,320 excluding freight.
As fate would have it, the Toyota Camry is selling better than last year so far in 2019. It should be mentioned, however, that the bigger of the two Japanese automakers is discounting the Camry far more than Honda does with the Accord. Chief operating officer Seiji Kuraishi let it slip that Honda doesn’t intend to get caught in this price-cutting rivalry.
The three other models affected by the slash in production include the CR-V, ILX, and TLX. The Honda CR-V is probably the most unexpected of the lot, but then again, the 1.5- and 2.0-liter turbocharged engines are known for substandard reliability in the first years of ownership.
Even though passenger cars continue to account for 50 percent of sales in the United States for Honda, there’s no denying the brand has to focus on crossovers, SUVs, trucks, and on those sweet discounts. It remains to be seen, however, if the higher-ups are prepared to take this decision.
“Hybrid or turbocharged, it’s the most impressive Honda yet.” That’s how the brand describes the Accord on the U.S. website, and the claim is all the more curious given the existence of the NSX. Pricing starts at $23,720 excluding destination charge, and five trim levels are available for the 2019 model year.
The LX opens the list with a multi-angle rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, the Honda Sensing suite of driver-assist features, and a 1.5-liter turbo. The Hybrid in bog-standard configuration features the same equipment as the LX, but pricing levels up to $25,320 excluding freight.