- Joined
- 4 October 2002
- Messages
- 569
In the auto industry, if a major redesign decision is approved, it needs at least a 2 year lead time before it see production. During this 2 year timeframe, it is highly unlikely to have the program cancelled. At the beginning of the 2 years, several hundred millions of dollars will have to be spent on new tools by the manufacturer and their suppliers for components and the production line. While testing and validation is being performed on prototypes. The process is elaborate and its hard to finanically justify cancelling a program during this phase because all the investment dollars have been spent. Not to mention the R&D which occurred prior to this 2 years.
During this 2 year production readiness timeframe, vehicle launch delays are usually due to significant engineering or design changes. But it doesn't get cancelled during this time because the company has already spent 95% of their investment. In the NSX case, I suspect 2 options:
1. Production approval has been granted and launch date may be pushed back due to upgrades (powertrain?) and hence like NSXTASY indicated, Honda may be extending the current model until Gen 2 is ready.
2. Because 2003 NSX inventory in Acura dealers have been held to minimal levels and supposely most 2003 have been sold or allocated for, it is possible Honda wants to deplete exisiting NSX inventory to zero before Gen 2 news is revealed. This revelation could happen in Tokyo Motor show in Fall 03 with a North America sale date of spring 04.
During this 2 year production readiness timeframe, vehicle launch delays are usually due to significant engineering or design changes. But it doesn't get cancelled during this time because the company has already spent 95% of their investment. In the NSX case, I suspect 2 options:
1. Production approval has been granted and launch date may be pushed back due to upgrades (powertrain?) and hence like NSXTASY indicated, Honda may be extending the current model until Gen 2 is ready.
2. Because 2003 NSX inventory in Acura dealers have been held to minimal levels and supposely most 2003 have been sold or allocated for, it is possible Honda wants to deplete exisiting NSX inventory to zero before Gen 2 news is revealed. This revelation could happen in Tokyo Motor show in Fall 03 with a North America sale date of spring 04.
