Honda Plots CR-V Production Boost as U.S. Sales [10.9.7] [Archive]

T Mac

10-09-2007, 08:41 PM

Honda Motor Co. may double North American production of its compact CR-V, the best-selling sport- utility vehicle in the U.S., as demand for large, truck-based SUVs fades, according to two analysts.

CR-V sales jumped 44 percent this year to 167,223 through September, eclipsing Ford Motor Co.'s Explorer, the U.S. leader in 14 of the past 15 years, at 108,535. Tokyo-based Honda wants 80 percent of the autos it sells in the U.S. to be made in North America, meaning a shift in CR-Vs, now mostly imported.

``They'll push for more production as quickly as possible,'' said analyst Catherine Madden, an analyst for market forecaster Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``Honda is sensitive to the split of import versus locally sourced product. It never leaves the back of their mind.''

Click here (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=a4ExZ1WAdFbg&refer=japan) to read the entire story from Bloomberg

By Alan Ohnsman - Bloomberg

Black Pearl

10-24-2007, 10:47 PM

Top-Selling Sport Utility Vehicles, January-September

Brand Model 2007 2006 Change
1. Honda CR-V 167,223 116,024 +44.1%
2. Toyota RAV4 131,946 115,684 +14.1%
3. Ford Escape 127,737 123,063 +3.8%
4. Chevrolet Tahoe 109,644 120,723 -9.2%
5. Ford Explorer 108,535 143,270 -24.2%
6. Chevrolet Trailblazer 103,450 134,046 -22.8%
7. Honda Pilot 95,463 119,337 -20.0%
8. Jeep Grand Cherokee 93,246 109,158 +33.0%
9. Jeep Wrangler 92,549 54,234 +71.0%
10. Toyota Highlander 91,294 96698 -5.6%

It didn't paste very well but the above table has a couple of interesting points. One, we always hear how the CR-V blasted the Explorer. Well look at the Pilot, it didn't fare well either. Two, what is with the Grand Cherokee? All the other larger SUVs took a hit, Cherokee had a significant gain. Three, The Wrangler is the growth leader percentage wise, yet the Escape hardly moves at all.

I am still somewhat mistified by the CR-V's performce over the Rav 4. Every review I ever read gave the Rav 4 a significantly higher rating (usually for the V-6 and the 3rd row of seats), yet look at the sales.


Honda CR-V Owners Club Forums > Honda CR-V > Headlines > Honda Plots CR-V Production Boost as U.S. Sales [10.9.7] PDA Honda Plots CR-V Production Boost as U.S. Sales [10.9.7] T Mac 10-09-2007, 08:41 PM Honda Motor Co. may double North American production of its compact CR-V, the best-selling sport- utility vehicle in the U.S., as demand for large, truck-based SUVs fades, according to two analysts. CR-V sales jumped 44 percent this year to 167,223 through September, eclipsing Ford Motor Co.'s Explorer, the U.S. leader in 14 of the past 15 years, at 108,535. Tokyo-based Honda wants 80 percent of the autos it sells in the U.S. to be made in North America, meaning a shift in CR-Vs, now mostly imported. ``They'll push for more production as quickly as possible,'' said analyst Catherine Madden, an analyst for market forecaster Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. ``Honda is sensitive to the split of import versus locally sourced product. It never leaves the back of their mind.'' Click here (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=a4ExZ1WAdFbg&refer=japan) to read the entire story from Bloomberg By Alan Ohnsman - Bloomberg Black Pearl 10-24-2007, 10:47 PM Top-Selling Sport Utility Vehicles, January-September Brand Model 2007 2006 Change 1. Honda CR-V 167,223 116,024 +44.1% 2. Toyota RAV4 131,946 115,684 +14.1% 3. Ford Escape 127,737 123,063 +3.8% 4. Chevrolet Tahoe 109,644 120,723 -9.2% 5. Ford Explorer 108,535 143,270 -24.2% 6. Chevrolet Trailblazer 103,450 134,046 -22.8% 7. Honda Pilot 95,463 119,337 -20.0% 8. Jeep Grand Cherokee 93,246 109,158 +33.0% 9. Jeep Wrangler 92,549 54,234 +71.0% 10. Toyota Highlander 91,294 96698 -5.6% It didn't paste very well but the above table has a couple of interesting points. One, we always hear how the CR-V blasted the Explorer. Well look at the Pilot, it didn't fare well either. Two, what is with the Grand Cherokee? All the other larger SUVs took a hit, Cherokee had a significant gain. Three, The Wrangler is the growth leader percentage wise, yet the Escape hardly moves at all. I am still somewhat mistified by the CR-V's performce over the Rav 4. Every review I ever read gave the Rav 4 a significantly higher rating (usually for the V-6 and the 3rd row of seats), yet look at the sales.