MotorCity Honda
06-15-2007, 09:11 AM
Honda Pilot Due Next Year as ’09 Model
By Christie Schweinsberg
WardsAuto.com, Jun 15, 2007 10:24 AM
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will debut its second-generation Pilot midsize cross/utility vehicle early next year as an ’09 model, a company official tells Ward’s.
The Pilot debuted in the U.S. in June 2002 as an ’03 model. Honda typically keeps five model years between vehicle generations. As such, many forecasters predicted the new CUV would be designated an ’08.
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“Because of the timing on Pilot, it will show up as six model years but it’s not quite,” John Mendel, senior vice president, tells Ward’s in an interview. “Yes, it will be an ’09 model,” but there won’t be a full six years between Pilots, he says.
Mendel insists Honda’s product cycles are not lengthening, citing research by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. showing it will have the highest replacement rate of any vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. between 2008 and 2011.
“We’ve tried to maintain, and have maintained, a 5- to 6-year (cycle) with a refresh in between,” he says. “That really hasn’t changed. It varies by vehicle line. (It’s) longer on more niche vehicles like (the) S2000 (roadster) or maybe (the) Element (CUV).”
Pilot sales in the U.S. are down 5.1% through May to 56,261 units, Ward’s data shows.
Meanwhile, Mendel says a “major model change” of the RL is due next year, as well. This, however, is not a full model change, incorporating styling modifications
By Christie Schweinsberg
WardsAuto.com, Jun 15, 2007 10:24 AM
American Honda Motor Co. Inc. will debut its second-generation Pilot midsize cross/utility vehicle early next year as an ’09 model, a company official tells Ward’s.
The Pilot debuted in the U.S. in June 2002 as an ’03 model. Honda typically keeps five model years between vehicle generations. As such, many forecasters predicted the new CUV would be designated an ’08.
Related Stories
Honda Says Not Losing Interest in Hybrids
Honda Promises More Powerful V-6 in Next-Gen Accord
Already Ahead of Toyota, Honda Would Like to Build More Vehicles in U.S.
“Because of the timing on Pilot, it will show up as six model years but it’s not quite,” John Mendel, senior vice president, tells Ward’s in an interview. “Yes, it will be an ’09 model,” but there won’t be a full six years between Pilots, he says.
Mendel insists Honda’s product cycles are not lengthening, citing research by Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc. showing it will have the highest replacement rate of any vehicle manufacturer in the U.S. between 2008 and 2011.
“We’ve tried to maintain, and have maintained, a 5- to 6-year (cycle) with a refresh in between,” he says. “That really hasn’t changed. It varies by vehicle line. (It’s) longer on more niche vehicles like (the) S2000 (roadster) or maybe (the) Element (CUV).”
Pilot sales in the U.S. are down 5.1% through May to 56,261 units, Ward’s data shows.
Meanwhile, Mendel says a “major model change” of the RL is due next year, as well. This, however, is not a full model change, incorporating styling modifications