Honda CEO says we shouldn't expect any new sports cars
11-19-13, 02:39 PM
#1
Honda CEO says we shouldn't expect any new sports cars
Honda CEO says we shouldn't expect any new sports cars
Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/honda...photo-1277788/
It wasn't so long ago that Honda was known for its sporty two-door models, with models ranging from the Civic del Sol to the Prelude and from the Acura Integra and RSX to the Honda S2000. But look at its range today and all you'll see are the Civic and Accord coupes. Honda has essentially let competitors like the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ and Nissan 370Z take the place it once claimed as its own. But if you were hoping Honda would fight back with a new coupe or convertible of its own, we're afraid you're going to have to downgrade those hopes to pipe dreams.
Tetsuo IwamuraWhile in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, Autoblog had a chance to sit down with American Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura (pictured below). When we asked about the potential for a new sports coupe or convertible in the Honda or Acura lineup, he pointed to the current Civic and Accord coupes – not to mention the upcoming new NSX – but said that Honda has no replacement for any of the aforementioned models (or a rival for the FR-S or 370Z) in the pipeline, saying only that the company is monitoring potential demand.
What Iwamura-san did note was that he's a personal fan of the new S660 roadster (pictured above) set to be unveiled tomorrow, and he is pushing (or at least hoping) that it will come to North America. Given that he's head of both Honda's American office and its global automobile operations, one might think that the only person he would have to persuade is himself (well... himself, and potential buyers), but the sporty droptop looks to be about kei-sized, which sadly suggests that it may be too small for American tastes and perhaps not designed with US crash-test standards in mind anyway.
Tetsuo IwamuraWhile in Japan ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, Autoblog had a chance to sit down with American Honda CEO Tetsuo Iwamura (pictured below). When we asked about the potential for a new sports coupe or convertible in the Honda or Acura lineup, he pointed to the current Civic and Accord coupes – not to mention the upcoming new NSX – but said that Honda has no replacement for any of the aforementioned models (or a rival for the FR-S or 370Z) in the pipeline, saying only that the company is monitoring potential demand.
What Iwamura-san did note was that he's a personal fan of the new S660 roadster (pictured above) set to be unveiled tomorrow, and he is pushing (or at least hoping) that it will come to North America. Given that he's head of both Honda's American office and its global automobile operations, one might think that the only person he would have to persuade is himself (well... himself, and potential buyers), but the sporty droptop looks to be about kei-sized, which sadly suggests that it may be too small for American tastes and perhaps not designed with US crash-test standards in mind anyway.
http://www.autoblog.com/2013/11/19/h...s-cars-for-us/
Last edited by Hoovey689; 11-19-13 at 02:55 PM.
11-19-13, 02:56 PM
#2
When we asked about the potential for a new sports coupe or convertible in the Honda or Acura lineup, he pointed to the current Civic and Accord coupes – not to mention the upcoming new NSX – but said that Honda has no replacement for any of the aforementioned models (or a rival for the FR-S or 370Z) in the pipeline, saying only that the company is monitoring potential demand.
11-19-13, 04:25 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
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He needs to be fired, or retired.
Screw these guys.
I'm so sick and effing tired of this same old crap.
Everybody has sports cars EXCEPT Honda.
And nobody is going to buy the NSX.
They don't need a sports car.
They don't need a convertible.
They don't need a RWD platform.
They don't need......
MY MONEY
Screw these guys.
I'm so sick and effing tired of this same old crap.
Everybody has sports cars EXCEPT Honda.
And nobody is going to buy the NSX.
They don't need a sports car.
They don't need a convertible.
They don't need a RWD platform.
They don't need......
MY MONEY
11-19-13, 05:28 PM
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Disappointing, they definitely need more sports/sporty cars, then again it is not concrete proof they are not going to do another lower priced sports car just because he did not reveal anything or said don't expect it, they may just want all the attention and focus to be on the upcoming NSX and Euro Civic Type R for now.
11-19-13, 11:23 PM
#7
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Monitoring potential demand?!? How much more evidence do they need? The sports car segment is alive and thriving all the way from the 24/26K FRS/BRZ to triple digit exotic offerings. Hell, Nissan updates the GTR as often as Toyota updates the Prius. THAT should tell Honda something. Oh wait, I forgot that the days of Honda building great chassis to mate with their excellent engines are long gone. An entire generation cut their teeth on modded civics, tegs, and preludes and still lust after the NSX and still covet the S2K though both are long discontinued and have now become "affortable" sports cars. Yet Honda STILL doubts the validity of the segment and continues to produce tepid people movers while wondering why their market share continues to decline. How about they open their eyes and SEE what competing manufacturers are stocking their showrooms with and respond in kind, instead of simply monitoring potential demand??
Last edited by Harbinger; 11-19-13 at 11:27 PM.
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11-20-13, 01:05 AM
#9
Lexus Champion
I miss the days of Integra Type R's, NSX, and S2000. Civic Si's and Preludes arenice but not as special IMO.
I sure miss my S2000 even more after reading this. Although the accord, civic, and CRV are keeping honda alive at the moment.
I sure miss my S2000 even more after reading this. Although the accord, civic, and CRV are keeping honda alive at the moment.
So is the new NSX coming or is it just smoking mirrors? 
11-20-13, 02:13 PM
#11
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11-20-13, 08:42 PM
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I have owned a Civic Si, Integra GSR, and an RSX Type S. Honda has lost it's way, and have abandoned the Acura division. Clearly some incompetent leadership in the last decade.
