[Coil99]

This quote is from the Editor's Desk column in the May/June 2006 Truck Trend:

Honda has gone on record saying it won't build a bigger, stronger Ridgeline to compete with work-truck-tough full-size pickups.

Does anyone know why?

Ford, GM/Chevy, and Dodge dominate this market. Nissan has jumped in. And now Toyota has the bigger Tundra. Why not Honda?

 

[dragoncoach]

Maybe they won't build one because of the competition. Honda has a nitch and is doing well in terms of sales numbers. Cost is also a factor. Lastly, Honda doesn't have a V8 for commercial or passenger vehicles which it could use to power a full sized truck.

 

[Coil99]

I mean, all they really have to do is SuperGlue two four cylinders together...

Lastly, Honda doesn't have a V8

Speaking of which, why don't they develop one? Any plans to?

 

[CA05LXDriver]

I think the Ridgeline is already tapping the target segment which is the same segment the Titan and F150 are in, as well as satisfying customers who'd consider buying a tacoma or frontier. The only thing any of those trucks do better is tow in the case of the F150 (around 10000 lbs where the Ridgeline tows 5000), but if you are towing that much you should be driving a diesel F250/350 anyway.

I think it would be lunacy for Honda to try to play in the industrial or work truck segment because that is not honda's core, although I could see them doing something (and assume they already do it) like those navistar diesel Nissans with the box rears, but most likely they'd do that in Asia.

 

[stevencrosbie]

Mmmm...big diesel pickup truck....so sweet.... :nuts: :nuts: :nuts:

The Ridgeline does very well when you consider it sells as much as the Frontier or Dodge Dakota and those trucks have many different (and much cheaper) models than one that compares w/ the Ridgeline.

I think they built the truck for the dedicated Honda ownwers who were forced to buy elsewhere. Now WE have a truck of our own!

 

[dads-car]

Speaking of which, why don't they develop one? Any plans to?

They have... See this post at another forrum:

LINK

 

[BenjiBoy650]

Honda is never a follower. The full size truck market is dominated by people who are brand loyal (can't blame em, if I needed a truck I would be too). Not to mention, Honda has no experience building huge trucks (unlike Toyota and Nissan, who have built trucks and vans for years and decades). There's probably not much room for innovation: big trucks require a body on frame chassis and live rear axle, end of story. Try getting an independent suspension to tow a 10 ton fifth wheel. And Honda engines are about revs, fuel economy and smoothness, not typical truck engine qualities.

Instead you see them coming out with niches that haven't really been explored in the USA before. Look at the Ridgeline. How about the Acura RL, playing with the M45, 545/550i, etc? Accord and its upscale interior? The Fit? The upscale Civic? The Element? Some may fail (RL) but most succeed. I think you'll see that they're going to stay on this path.

 

[stevencrosbie]

Honda is never a follower. The full size truck market is dominated by people who are brand loyal (can't blame em, if I needed a truck I would be too). Not to mention, Honda has no experience building huge trucks (unlike Toyota and Nissan, who have built trucks and vans for years and decades). There's probably not much room for innovation: big trucks require a body on frame chassis and live rear axle, end of story. Try getting an independent suspension to tow a 10 ton fifth wheel. And Honda engines are about revs, fuel economy and smoothness, not typical truck engine qualities.

Instead you see them coming out with niches that haven't really been explored in the USA before. Look at the Ridgeline. How about the Acura RL, playing with the M45, 545/550i, etc? Accord and its upscale interior? The Fit? The upscale Civic? The Element? Some may fail (RL) but most succeed. I think you'll see that they're going to stay on this path.

Don't forget their bikes and jet skis!

 

[BenjiBoy650]

Don't forget their bikes and jet skis!

How does a bike tow a 10 ton fifth wheel? We should try it :lmao: Might make for an awesome burnout!

 

[VTECaddict]

Don't forget their bikes and jet skis!

...and lawn mowers and generators! :biggrin:

 

[samsonskeg]

and jet engines!!

 

[stevencrosbie]

I'm pretty sure GE makes the jet engine for the Honda Plane :dunno:

 

[BenjiBoy650]

I'm pretty sure GE makes the jet engine for the Honda Plane :dunno:

Yeah that's what I thought too.

 

[stiller fan]

nope, honda-made...have a look at the site i just goggled....

http://world.honda.com/AircraftEngines/

 

[stiller fan]

after looking further, we're both right; they are in a partnership for now, with GE helping out honda design them...... :yes:

 

[RTexasF]

I'd say that, for whatever reason, they just don't want to! We all know they are capable of building a big truck complete with a V-8 that would be most amazing.

Could be they are letting Toyota take the 1st step to see what happens.

 

[Coil99]

They have... See this post at another forrum:

LINK

Thanks for the link. Interesting!



What I should have said in my post is "why doesn't Honda develop a V8 for production use." Put it in the RL and a bunch of other vehicles. I mean, I think we can all agree that the Civic needs a V8.

 

[stiller fan]

yeah. the civic needs a V8, and the fit needs a turbocharged V6 too..... :lmao:

 

[JRC2010]

yeah. the civic needs a V8, and the fit needs a turbocharged V6 too..... :lmao:

:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

 

[flcma99]

I'd say that, for whatever reason, they just don't want to! We all know they are capable of building a big truck complete with a V-8 that would be most amazing.

Could be they are letting Toyota take the 1st step to see what happens.

After all, Honda was late to the minivan party. The first attempt was a tall Accord based wagonette. Then the second generation Odyssey became the benchmark for Chrysler and Toyota to chase. Now the 3rd generation Odyssey and the 2nd generation Sienna are the clear leaders of the pack.

I am hoping that same happens with the Ridgeline in say 2012 as my Silverado hits 7 - 8 years of age. I'll take a 2nd generation Ridgeline V6 Diesel please.