American Honda Reports an Increase in April Sales [5.5.8]

[T Mac]

Honda Division posts an April record with individual records from Fit, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V

05/05/2008 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted an April sales result of 135,180 vehicles, a decrease of 1.3 percent over April 2007 sales of 126,419 vehicles, on a daily-selling-rate basis*, the company announced today.

American Honda posted April car sales of 82,252 units, up 7.1 percent over last year, and April light-truck sales of 52,655 units, a decrease of 12.1 percent compared to year-ago results. Year-to-date American Honda total vehicle sales rose 0.5 percent over the same period last year, to 487,822 units.

Individual April records for the Fit, Civic, Civic Hybrid and CR-V helped push Honda Division sales to an April record of 122,155 units, up 1.4 percent over year-ago results. Models showing sales increases included Fit, with sales of 5,938, up 38.5 percent; Accord, with sales of 34,628, up 10.5 percent; Civic, with sales of 34,163, up 8.2 percent; Civic Hybrid, with sales of 4,324, up 39.8 percent, and Ridgeline, with sales of 4,158, up 7.5 percent. Year-to-date division sales rose 2.7 percent, to 437,257 vehicles.

"Selling conditions are certainly tough, but at Honda we see this as an opportunity," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "In difficult times, consumers make very rational, thoughtful purchase decisions, which play into Honda's core brand strengths of fuel economy, safety and quality."

The Acura Division posted April sales of 13,025 vehicles, down 20.9 percent. The TL performance luxury sedan was Acura's top-selling model with 4,291 units, followed by the MDX luxury SUV with 3,899 units, the TSX sports sedan with 2,602 units, the RDX turbocharged crossover SUV with 1,672 units and the RL luxury performance sedan with 561 units.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 102 days year-to-date 2008, versus 101 for 2007. April 2008 included 26 selling days, versus 24 for 2007.

[VOLinGA]

Finally, a turnaround in RL sales. I realize many of you like the fact that your RL is a rare commodity. But, I for one would prefer to see a few more. When I am done with my 2007 in 2013, I would like a new RL model to turn to.

[k757]

The entire Acura line does have a huge problem

[shovelhd]

Look at that number for the Fit. The perfect car at the perfect time.

[Outfitter]

Originally Posted by k757

The entire Acura line does have a huge problem

They better hit the bullseye with the new, upcoming TL. A lot of great players in the field of sports sedans these days.
The RL (Acura) is barking big time and only sold 561 units last month. How can they justify keeping it in the line up?

[Stackedape]

I don't know about you guys but I'm not about to drop 45-48k for an MDX... I mean it's nice Honda quality and all but that's a damn deposit for a house.

[k757]

Originally Posted by shovelhd

Look at that number for the Fit. The perfect car at the perfect time.

They get horrible gas mileage for the size of car it is 28/34. Heck, the Civic gets equal mpg at 26/34 MT, 25/36 auto.

[larryr]

OK, This is kinda objective but I don't see where Honda makes a trunk. Peterbuilt and Freightliner make a trunk. Trucks ride like cr*p and have manual transmissions with more than 4 forward gears. And only 2 seats, one for the driver and one for a possible passenger. Once you have seating for more than 2 it is car or a bus.

Ridgeline - car with hidden trunk and open hauling space or open back station wagon.
Pilot - station wagon
Element - short station wagon
cr-v - civic station wagon

4 wheel drive does not make it a truck.

A truck has a rail frame and can have stuff bolted onto the frame. Not one vehicle that American Honda makes is a "Truck" by the 1940 definition of truck.

I dont even think that the current F150 and Silverado and Tundra entry levels are really trucks anymore. The Dualies are the entry level truck now if they are not four door open back station wagons.

Trucks can have their cab washed inside with water as the never have carpet - just rubber stuff for insulation.

The definition of a truck has been adjusted so that car makers can avoid the MPG rules that are in place for cars by calling them a "truck". Also some states like the new definition as they can get you for more money for titles and tags.

Also the Ridgeline cost me almost 2 times what my first townhouse cost .... but when I bought it:
minimum wage was $0.50
gas was $0.299
bread was $0.16
8 pack of 16 oz cokes $0.33
new 2000 sq home $17,500 carport $500 brick chimney $500
new car gremlin $1599 no a/c 18mpg
new car Impala $3950 no a/c 12mpg
new loaded pickup truck $2300 no a/c 10mpg
sales tax 3%
federal tax for most 18%
Vietnam war surcharge 3%
Social Security 5%
Family of 4 health insurance $50 / month
1 day hospital room $38.00
4 years of college $3200 ( only one class had A/C )
Starting salary out of college CS $12,500

today minimum wage $5.50
gas $3.549
bread $1.49
8 pack 16 oz cokes $2.88
new 2000 sq home $210,000 carport $6000 brick chimney $7500
new car rio $9900 has a/c 30mpg
new car Impala $20,000 has a/c 20mpg
new loaded pickup truck $32,000 16mpg
sales tax 9% restaurants 10%
federal tax for most 24%
Iraq war surcharge 0%
Social Security 8%
Family of 4 health insurance $500 month
1 day hospital room $750.00
4 years of college $44,000 ( only one class did not have a/c )
Starting Salary out of college CS $40,000

[25 Year Honda Owner]

Larry, you are as old as I am!!!