Street Racing Cars For Sale

Honda's Ridgeline has never been a great seller, part of it due to its niche-style draw. But Honda hasn't done anything to revamp the truck since its inception in 2006 and the sales results reflect the lack of updates. Since January in Canada, the Ridgeline has sold on 989 units compared to over 2 000 units the year before. Industry analysts are saying that the Ridgeline will be phased out within the next 2 years. The Ridgeline may be gone, but the idea of a pickup is certainly not out of the minds of the top brains at Honda. Rumors say an even smaller truck is being considered with the CR-V platform backing the chassis. But is it worth it anymore? What do you think?

Honda has won 5 categories in Edmunds.com's 2011 Lowest True Cost to Own awards. They name the 2011 car and trucks in 23 categories with the lowest projected ownership cost in a 5 year period. The Accord won the Coupe $25-$35K category while also winning the Sedan $20-$30K category while the Civic Hybrid won the hybrid category, the Pilot winning the SUV $35-45K category and the Ridgeline nailing the Large Light Duty truck category.

One of the key factors were free maintenance plans that helped push the award winners to the top. Edmunds.com uses an algorithm that takes into account depreciation, financing interest, taxes and fees, fuel, maintenance and repairs, insurance premiums assuming these vehicles are driven 15 000 miles per year.

Despite rumors of its demise, the Ridgeline will continue to soldier into 2012 with a new trim model. Perhaps this is the last hurrah before the model is out but Honda is keeping it alive for another year by adding the Ridgeline Sport model. The model includes exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels, exclusive revised black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake housings and black mirrors and door handles. The Sport model is a step up from the RT model. It is unclear whether or not the Sport model will be only offered in Black or other colors. Expect the Ridgeline to arrive slightly later than the refreshed 2012 Pilot in mid and early October/fall 2011.

HONDA PRESS RELEASE:
The 2012 Honda Ridgeline receives improvements for style and fuel efficiency as the new Ridgeline Sport (pictured) introduces popular high-value features consistent with the entry 4-wheel-drive truck segment, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced on July 25, 2011. The new Ridgeline Sport model adds the following to Ridgeline RT standard features: exclusive black 18-inch alloy wheels (+1 inch from RT steel wheels), exclusive black honeycomb grille, standard fog lights, black headlight and brake light housings, and black mirrors and door handles. The 2012 Ridgeline goes on sale November 2011.

Over the past couple of months, there has been an influx of rumors dating to the axing of the Honda Ridgeline. Introduced in 2005 as a 2006 model, the faux pickup truck hasn't exactly been a home base hit for Honda, it isn't really the best pickup truck, nor has it been near the best sellers.

Despite the dismal future for the Ridgeline, US Honda's exec John Mendel says that the Ridgeline has developed a strong following over the past couple of years, and Honda thinks it has "a ways to go on the Ridgeline."

Mendel did not elaborate on the future or when the FMC of the Ridgeline will arrive nor did he say any improvements, changes are coming to the Ridgeline in the near future.

The Honda plant in Lincoln has successfully churned out 272 057 vehicles in 2010. Honda of Alabama produced 119 573 Odyssey minivans, 121 331 Pilot SUVs, 20 174 Ridgeline pickup trucks and 10 979 Accord V6 sedans at the Lincoln facility. Final and official production numbers for these vehicles will be verified in January 2011.

Throughout 2010, Honda has maintained stability in its 4 000 workers and has increased output with Saturday overtime productions in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2010.

Changes will be coming in 2011 with Honda's revised manufacturing system kicking in, allowing plants to adjust product mix due to market demand. Honda of Alabama will be increasing production of the Odyssey. Along with that, the Accord V6 will no longer be produced in Alabama as the entire V6 production of the sedan will move to Ohio in December. Line One will be building the Odyssey, Line Two will be building the Pilot and Ridgeline come the next few weeks.

Rumors have been going around that Honda is considering dropping the Ridgeline truck past mid-2011. Citing low sales and lack of product planning, Honda may be getting out of the truck business. What do you think about this? Honda's first bold move into the American truck fray may as well be its last? Comment below!