Report: Honda Civic sales ending in Japan due to weak demand
11-15-10, 01:03 PM
#1
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Report: Honda Civic sales ending in Japan due to weak demand
Had no idea it sold so poorly in Japan.
http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20101115D15JFN03.htm
Honda Motor Co. (7267) plans to end domestic sales of its Civic midsize sedan as soon as existing inventories run out.
The automaker will continue selling the Civic around the world. A fully updated model is due to be launched next year.
Honda released the Civic in 1972 as its first full-fledged passenger car. Roughly 3 million have been sold in Japan since then, but demand has plunged in recent years amid the growing popularity of minivans and compact vehicles. In October, Honda's domestic sales totaled 182 Civics and 270 Civic Hybrids.
The company had initially planned to keep the hybrid version on the market, but decided to stop Japanese sales of all Civic models due to weak demand for sedans.
The Civic continues to perform well in overseas markets as Honda's mainstay sedan. Even after domestic sales end, the company will continue manufacturing the car for export at its Suzuka plant in Mie Prefecture.
The automaker will continue selling the Civic around the world. A fully updated model is due to be launched next year.
Honda released the Civic in 1972 as its first full-fledged passenger car. Roughly 3 million have been sold in Japan since then, but demand has plunged in recent years amid the growing popularity of minivans and compact vehicles. In October, Honda's domestic sales totaled 182 Civics and 270 Civic Hybrids.
The company had initially planned to keep the hybrid version on the market, but decided to stop Japanese sales of all Civic models due to weak demand for sedans.
The Civic continues to perform well in overseas markets as Honda's mainstay sedan. Even after domestic sales end, the company will continue manufacturing the car for export at its Suzuka plant in Mie Prefecture.
11-15-10, 01:53 PM
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Wow...that's quite sad for a once-storied model.Not sure about 2010, but here's the 2009 top 10:
Toyota Prius … 208,876
Honda Fit … 157,324
Toyota Vitz … 117,655
Toyota Passo … 98,883
Honda Insight … 93,283
Toyota Corolla … 90,178
Honda Freed … 79,525
Nissan Serena … 78,836
Toyota Voxy … 71,426
Nissan Note … 65,745
Toyota Prius … 208,876
Honda Fit … 157,324
Toyota Vitz … 117,655
Toyota Passo … 98,883
Honda Insight … 93,283
Toyota Corolla … 90,178
Honda Freed … 79,525
Nissan Serena … 78,836
Toyota Voxy … 71,426
Nissan Note … 65,745
11-15-10, 05:58 PM
#7
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Good post, Mike. 
I didn't know the Japanese didn't care for it, either.
At one time, a number of years ago, in a buisness-deal Honda gave Isuzu a number of Civics to sell (in re-badged form) as the JDM Isuzu I-Mark, after Isuzu dropped that vehicle from the U.S. line-up. (the American I-Mark, you'll remember, was an actual Isuzu desgn). In return, Honda got the Isuzu Rodeo to sell as the Honda Passport and the Isuzu Trooper (the famous flip-over-special) to sell as the Acura SLX.
In the U.S., of course, the Accord is the mainstream sedan. The American Accord, though, is larger than the non-U.S. Accord, which is sold here as the Acura TSX.
I didn't know the Japanese didn't care for it, either. At one time, a number of years ago, in a buisness-deal Honda gave Isuzu a number of Civics to sell (in re-badged form) as the JDM Isuzu I-Mark, after Isuzu dropped that vehicle from the U.S. line-up. (the American I-Mark, you'll remember, was an actual Isuzu desgn). In return, Honda got the Isuzu Rodeo to sell as the Honda Passport and the Isuzu Trooper (the famous flip-over-special) to sell as the Acura SLX.
The Civic continues to perform well in overseas markets as Honda's mainstay sedan.
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11-16-10, 10:29 AM
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11-16-10, 06:41 PM
#11
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Also, I think it has something to do as well with the vehicle taxation structure in Japan.
Hence why the Lancer/Lancer EX (9th gen) over there is known as Galant Fortis
11-16-10, 08:04 PM
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The Corolla is sold as a smaller car in Japan (Corolla Axio -- see Wikipedia article on Corolla), to fit into a tax bracket defined by physical exterior volume. The export model is larger and, to my knowledge, is not available in JDM.
I'm surprised too, but size being a major factor in the Civic's domestic failure is very believable. Compact buyers tend to favor the more usable boxy hatchbacks like the Fit, and various other JDM-only models that I can't recall.
I'm surprised too, but size being a major factor in the Civic's domestic failure is very believable. Compact buyers tend to favor the more usable boxy hatchbacks like the Fit, and various other JDM-only models that I can't recall.
11-16-10, 10:21 PM
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Amazing the difference in cultural tastes. Never ceases to amaze me. 
The Civic is one of America's all time best sellers. Yet, Japan prefers these gawd-awful "things" making up 5 of their top 10 (2009)...
Nissan Note...
Toyota Passo...
Toyota Voxy...
Nissan Serena...
Honda Freed...
Notice these are in a similar segment. A segment that doesn't even exist in America. Unbelievable.
The rest of the top 10 in Japan are cars we have - Prius, Yaris, Corolla, Fit, and Insight. Five of the top 10 are vehicles that Americans wouldn't touch with a 10' pole!
The Civic is one of America's all time best sellers. Yet, Japan prefers these gawd-awful "things" making up 5 of their top 10 (2009)...
Nissan Note...
Toyota Passo...
Toyota Voxy...
Nissan Serena...
Honda Freed...
Notice these are in a similar segment. A segment that doesn't even exist in America. Unbelievable.
The rest of the top 10 in Japan are cars we have - Prius, Yaris, Corolla, Fit, and Insight. Five of the top 10 are vehicles that Americans wouldn't touch with a 10' pole!
Last edited by -J-P-L-; 11-17-10 at 06:37 AM.
11-17-10, 03:50 AM
#15
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You know what, in Japan, they actually call a few of these vehicles with their own classification which is known as "1BOX" and I guess it speaks for itself......
Anyways, here's a JDM car that some people would say really looks like a shoebox (although personally, I kinda like it)
I heard that it's quite a popular JDM import in New Zealand and I've seen one for myself in-person in Hong Kong last year.
And here is an LHD converted unit (because these sell like Hotcakes in Peru):
Weird shape but it looks like a great compact-size MPV/minivan. Exterior may not appeal to some but interior is quite good, the panoramic roof is a nice touch, aircon is really reliable (CALSONIC) and engine and gearbox is great (MR20 engine + Xtronic CVT is a superb combination).
Two cents
Anyways, here's a JDM car that some people would say really looks like a shoebox (although personally, I kinda like it)
I heard that it's quite a popular JDM import in New Zealand and I've seen one for myself in-person in Hong Kong last year.
And here is an LHD converted unit (because these sell like Hotcakes in Peru):
Weird shape but it looks like a great compact-size MPV/minivan. Exterior may not appeal to some but interior is quite good, the panoramic roof is a nice touch, aircon is really reliable (CALSONIC) and engine and gearbox is great (MR20 engine + Xtronic CVT is a superb combination).
Two cents