"Honda's trucks aren't the big problem. While the CR-V and Element SUVs are down for the year, the Pilot SUV and Odyssey minivan are more than offsetting those losses. Honda truck sales are up 4 percent for the first two months of the year."
I hope they are interpreting this data correctly. I take it that the civic and accord styling isn't boring as much as the psyche of the consumer is changing. People want their vehicle to actually do something other than just haul people. The Pilot, Element and Odyssey are both very flexible, and the Ridgeline even more so. People want their vehicle to do many things, not just one thing.
I bought the Ridgeline because it was all things to me. A luxury sedan that seats 5,a truck that will haul plywood, and a 4x4 that will go anywhere. Now I'm holding out for the Toyota FJ for a second vehicle. Why? because the whole interior folds flat sleeping two 6ft people comfortably and a very rugged looking 4x4. I want ultimate flexibility. Cars are boring period. they get you from point A to point B. So what.