Business Week: A Pickup With Plenty Of Panache [6.2.5]

[lotisb]

Originally Posted by Lifesaver1

Point being that regardless of being tops in the ratings, the Ridgeline does not, in my view, target the mainstream truck buyer or the mainstream SUV buyer. Rather, it creates a crossover market of people dissatisfied with either. These are people who don't have a big family and want a really nice ride, with the occasional benefits of a truck. The question is, how big is that market?

Up to maybe 1998 one would be hard pressed to find many 4 door trucks because for the most part trucks were work/utility vehicles. In fact, 4 door trucks really took off somewhere around 2000 and account for the majority of truck sales today. Why? Very few people NEED a truck for truck purposes and truth be told, most people rarely maximize the payload capacity of most trucks on the road today, nor do they take them off-road that often either. Like most truck owners, I NEED a truck for convenience. I am a weekend do-it-yourselfer that will want to haul stuff from time to time and a truck fits that bill perfectly. The rest of the time, my truck basically takes me and sometimes the kids from point A to B.
The Ridgeline meets that NEED perfectly because when I go grocery shopping I no longer have to worry about where to put the bags - I now have a TRUNK - (how cool is THAT! ). When I need to haul 2x4 or sheet rock, or bags of concrete, or mulch, or yard debris, or new lawn equipment I have a bed big enough and strong enough with all the payload I NEED to get the job done. When I go to the Dolphins games this year I can use the trunk again to chill burgers and beer, and use the bed to haul my grill and tent for the tailgate party with my buddies. When I need to take my wife out to a swanky restaurant I can travel in civility in my RTL S/R, cranking out love tunes on my 160 watt system (with upgraded Infinity speakers) and XM radio...AND I can proudly toss my keys to the valet guy and confidently say "Take care of my ride son! "
So, to answer your question: the engineers/designers at Honda scored a touchdown with the Ridgeline and I'm sure a few years from now Detroit will be having their "ME TOO!" offerings to get into this HUGE market segment where Honda is now the only player.
The only caveat is how much higher gas prices will rise...that is the only thing I see preventing Honda from surpassing their 50,000 goal.

[STEVE FROST]

Great review, but they all have been except the Edmonds off road glitch. That one I discount as most people are not buying this truck for its rock crawling ability any how.

It is spot on for me, 5000 miles and no complaints. I have started to push it a few times and the harder I push it in the corners the more I appreciate it. And yes it is a truck
I have filled the bed to the brim several times.

With all the great reviews I am surprised that they are not selling better. As the price of gas goes higher it should only help sales 16-21 is not great but it better than most of the competitors. The fact that Chevy and Ford have started to almost pay people to drive their trucks off the lot has likely not helped, but people will eventualy see the light.

Some post indicate adds have increased from Honda, maybe my market is different, I still see no adds for this truck, with the exception of a tag on to CRV and Pilot adds stating that it is now available.

Great sports sedan truck limo, thanks Honda