CAR Magazine says no more NSX, S2000, Type-R's, etc.

[NetViper]

CAR Magazine (UK) reports on page 11 of the November issue, "Honda: Sports car armageddon - Plans for the NSX MkII are dropped signalling Honda's imminent retreat from high performance products."

The article goes on to say that the future of all performace oriented Hondas, from sports cars to Type-R versions, are under threat stating, "[t]he bottom line is that the company anticipates greater returns by concentrating on other models, especially MPVs and SUVs in America and China, than by pumping time and cash into low volume techly sportsters."

As of 12:00 p.m PDT the November issue was not up on carmagazine.uk.co.


From vtec.net
Date: October 16, 2004 15:27
Submitted by: Jeff MGB
Source: Car Magazine
Credibility Rating: 5

 

[NetViper]

Personally, I don't believe it. Although Toyota currently has no sports car in their line up. BUT, they are making a new one.

 

[hlweyl]

Personally, I don't buy it. Even less profitable car companies realize that their sports cars are an integral part of the sales strategy. i.e. Vette, Viper, GT40

 

[j14nsx]

I hardly call the Civic Type R that techy. Considering it's made in the UK, and is a good seller, why stop making that particular model?

Also dealers here have been taking orders and deposits for the HSC.

 

[Ponyboy]

I smell a certain amount of bovine fecal matter from that article. "Honda is racing" and it'll show in the cars they sell. If true and my beloved Honda abandons their sporting intentions, behold the exodus of current and future buyers.

 

[RP-Motorsports]

I too will defect to Porsche the day Honda ends their "racing" ties and products. That is why I am a Honda buyer. and not just sports cars, I respect the company BECAUSE of the racing heritage, and therefore I buy lawnmowers, minivans etc.

 

[eg9]

If Honda wants to become Lexus, then GOODBYE and hello to Lotus once again... That would be a great shame for Honda... I guess the old mighty dollar is ALL that matters... Now they can concentrate on lawnmowers, dirtbikes, SUV's, Minivans, and possible a good lawn edger (I'm just venting..).

Noble and Lotus are expanding their sales in the US. Noble works out of 1g Racing, but is looking to contract in the US after meeting emission standards this year, and to open up dealerships in the US. As for Lotus, they will not only sell the Elise, but will soon sell the future Esprit all for under $100K.

 

[Jimbo]

Of course, these news reports have not been accurate in the past, but IF this should be the case, this long-time Honda-Acura customer will be very, very disappointed.



-Jim

 

[qirex]

wow...

the company that invented imports sports is leaving it?

I dunno, i hardly can believe it.

Honda retreats from sporty cars while Nissan is all over that segment.

They have a smash hit on their hands with the 350Z and ZR. The G35coupe and sedan, fx and upcoming mx are all derived from the z platform.

When the GTR arrives in 2006 at 70K, badged as in Infiniti, honda and nissan would have essentially exchanged roles.

 

[apapada]

CAR Magazine (UK) reports on page 11 of the November issue, "Honda: Sports car armageddon - Plans for the NSX MkII are dropped signalling Honda's imminent retreat from high performance products."

The article goes on to say that the future of all performace oriented Hondas, from sports cars to Type-R versions, are under threat stating, "[t]he bottom line is that the company anticipates greater returns by concentrating on other models, especially MPVs and SUVs in America and China, than by pumping time and cash into low volume techly sportsters."

It's unfortunatly true...



Insiders at Honda tell me that they are abandonning sports cars by next year. It's the minivan and SUVs' turn by 2007, finally all cars together by 2008. They will instead refocus their R&D and marketing efforts in selling bridges, and-it-just-so-happens that at least one of them will be for sale in NY in the very near future, with San Fransisco and other places to follow. Please contact your Honda/Acura dealership for details on this new great venture...




EDIT: P.S. they will keep their lawn mower and generator business

 

[Johnny@JETZ]

do you think Honda is going to let Nissan and Toyota get all the Japanese sports car market in the future? I don't think so....

 

[Johnny@JETZ]

It's unfortunatly true...



Insiders at Honda tell me that they are abandonning sports cars by next year. It's the minivan and SUVs' turn by 2007, finally all cars together by 2008. They will instead refocus their R&D and marketing efforts in selling bridges, and-it-just-so-happens that at least one of them will be for sale in NY in the very near future, with San Fransisco and other places to follow. Please contact your Honda/Acura dealership for details on this new great venture...




EDIT: P.S. they will keep their lawn mower and generator business

lol, good point

 

[qirex]

i dunno but it never really seemed that honda was into real power.

Look how long it took for them to get with the program and figure out that ppl like BIG HP!

I mean...no turbos?

 

[Juice]

"Honda is racing"

Exactly. Honda places a lot of emphasis on racing as proven by their programs. Mr. Honda is rolling.

 

[apapada]

i dunno but it never really seemed that honda was into real power.

how about +1,000HP out of a 3.0L V10 engine ? does that qualify for "real power" to you ?

Look how long it took for them to get with the program and figure out that ppl like BIG HP!

I mean...no turbos?

It's all about integrity. Honda has a racing history and has followed its own philosophy to achieve success. Its philosophy is just different than others. Look at what happened to Porsche. In the US at least, Porsche sells more Cayennes than 911. Some day in the future people will associate Porsche with powerfull SUVs more so than with slick sports cars. Honda philosophy includes things like simplicity, accuracy, reliability and doesn't want to be associated with big displacement engines and FI...

 

[j14nsx]

Maybe Honda are preparing themselves for the inevitable. One day oil and petrol will run out. Before it does, the price will become astronomical. Who wants to be driving a thirsty car when that happens? Taking an extreme long term view, and making products other than cars could be a good move.

 

[NSX-Racer]

Maybe Honda are preparing themselves for the inevitable. One day oil and petrol will run out. Before it does, the price will become astronomical. Who wants to be driving a thirsty car when that happens? Taking an extreme long term view, and making products other than cars could be a good move.

As long as BMW, Audi etc. launch power sedans and caravans with 500+ hp and enormous fuel consumption (some with a test average of over 16 liters per 100 km) a sportscar like the NSX which can be run with 12 liters and less is still no anachronism.

 

[Honda F1 Racing]

Honda is first and foremost, a racing company. They've always prided themselves on this fact. That's why they offer high performance cars like the S2000 and the NSX as well as their Type-R lineup. It's to give the consumer a direct link to their racing pedigree regardless of what model Honda they own. Be it a Civic, a TL, S2K, NSX etc., there is some technology that relates straight back to their motorsports activities that an owner can feel proud to be a part of. Honda's current president not only comes from a motorsports background, but he is a performance car fan as well. I won't believe this rumor until it actually happens. Honda wouldn't let down their hardcore fans like this.

 

[gheba_nsx]

I cannot imagine them leaving the sportcars segment and keep on investing huge $$$ (and getting good results) in Formula 1...

 

[tucsonsx]

I too will defect to Porsche the day Honda ends their "racing" ties and products. That is why I am a Honda buyer. and not just sports cars, I respect the company BECAUSE of the racing heritage, and therefore I buy lawnmowers, minivans etc.

I couln't agree more ( bet that caught you by surprise - well one little difference - I'll be going to Toyota ). Not only that, but Soichiro Honda will getting out of his grave to join us!!!

 

[Meeyatch1]

Right now Honda builds some of my favorite cars, so I hope they realize that the sports car segment is what defines them from the other more boring car makers.

 

[effer]

I cannot imagine them leaving the sportcars segment and keep on investing huge $$$ (and getting good results) in Formula 1...

That was exactly what I was thinking.

This would be a nonsense .

I think Honda returned to theirs drawing tables and are preparing something really strong: they realized they had to raise the bar ( no pun intended ).

effer

the optimistic ...

 

[goldNSX]

AutoBild (Germany) of this week showed the new Honda Legend with a new V6 3.5 with 300 HP for the US and Japanese market. In 2006 it will come to Europe. I'm nearly sure that this engine will be the base for a new NSX engine with a little bit more than 350 HP if they bring the new NSX to market. I now also see parallels to the years 1989/90/91. The strength to win in Formula 1 was very high this year and will continue the next years. And I hope they bring the new NSX to market as soon as they win races or the Championship. Very optimistic, I know .
Otherwise I will be very happy to drive a very rare and exclusive car.

 

[qirex]

the last time honda did great in F1 - what kind of cars were they building?

...econoboxes. then the nsx came - and sold like crap.

I concept that honda=performance is just a recent trend.

How long did it take honda to answer the VW GTI?? 15 years?

Even if...we do see a new NSX - and 350HP will do what?

Sorry to say it - but HP sells cars. I'm sure a 350HP NSX will run circles around the 500HP V10 M5, but who will be more financially successful?


heres hoping for a new NSX (b/c I REALLY dont want to buy a 997).

 

[goldNSX]

The problem the NSX has is an image problem (as far as Europe is concerned). Even higher priced Porsche's sell much better in Europe than an NSX. You can't bring an sportcar to the market and leave the F1 the next year. Honda showed that they were capable to build not only economic cars but an also exotic and highly advanced model like the NSX. This job was done in 1991 and we never saw anything similar until the concept of the HSC came. With those concept cars they're testing the market if there are enough people to buy such a car. Honda has also a pricing trade-off. Manufacturing is very very expensive in Japan and other models like the Nissan 350Z are much more economic and reasonable but not very special too.
HP is one thing but I wouldn't enjoy my NSX so much if it has 350 HP with a curb weight of 3300 lb or more. If they save weight the car will still drive much better than anything else. The BMW V10 M5 is a little bit ridigulous in my opinion. A fat car with a fat engine mainly commercialised through F1 and maybe James Bond's next toy? I'm very happy Honda stayed away from such slumpy marketing making the NSX a much more serious car.