Honda struggles to move the once-hugely-popular Accord
03-12-18, 04:33 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Honda struggles to move the once-hugely-popular Accord
I remember when the Accord, Camry, and Taurus pretty much ruled the family-sedan market....the three of them regularly played leapfrog, in the American market, for the title of top-selling sedan. Since then, of course, the Taurus has been hugely overshadowed by the also-popular Ford Fusion (it is now mostly a police car), the Camry is still popular but has lost a lot of sales to SUVs, and the Accord?.......well, here's the article, you can read for yourself. 
(you may have to click on the link for the video part)
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/03/12/...rd-slow-sales/
SVEN GUSTAFSON
Mar 12th 2018 at 9:20AM
The 2018 Honda Accord boasts sleek new fastback styling, improved ride and interior, higher fuel efficiency, and a bevy of awards and plaudits from the automotive press, but the reigning North American Car of the Year is not exactly lighting it up on dealer lots.
In February, sales of the Accord were down 15.8 percent from the year before and 14.7 percent year-to-date. Automotive News reports that inventory levels stood at a 104-day supply — high by dealership standards — and that some dealerships have even begun turning down shipments of the midsize sedan from the factory in Marysville, Ohio. They're blaming a lack of attractive leasing options for consumers.
At $24,460 with shipping, the 2018 Accord is priced higher than its predecessor, meaning higher monthly lease payments for return customers. A standard three-year lease for the base LX trim version brings a monthly $249 payment after plunking down $3,199. By comparison, you can lease a Toyota Camry for just $199 a month in Miami for a similar down payment, or $219 a month in Los Angeles with $1,999 down.
One Detroit-area Honda dealer said the quality of the new Accord doesn't seal the deal with consumers looking to lease for only a few years.
"The quality gap has narrowed between the domestics, Honda and Toyota," the dealer told Automotive News. "When you're buying a car, you have a great story to tell a customer. When you're leasing, they say, 'Well, it has at least three years of warranty on it.' They're just renting it anyway. It is an uphill battle."
The Accord is also competing in a tough segment, as U.S. buyers increasingly shun sedans for larger crossovers, SUVs and pickups.
Now in its 10th generation, the Accord moved from a V6 to two direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, plus a two-mode hybrid system. You can read our First Drive review here.
Related Video:
(you may have to click on the link for the video part)
https://www.autoblog.com/2018/03/12/...rd-slow-sales/
2018 Honda Accord struggles to move units
Widespread accolades, but dealers cite uncompetitive lease terms
SVEN GUSTAFSON
Mar 12th 2018 at 9:20AM
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The 2018 Honda Accord boasts sleek new fastback styling, improved ride and interior, higher fuel efficiency, and a bevy of awards and plaudits from the automotive press, but the reigning North American Car of the Year is not exactly lighting it up on dealer lots.
In February, sales of the Accord were down 15.8 percent from the year before and 14.7 percent year-to-date. Automotive News reports that inventory levels stood at a 104-day supply — high by dealership standards — and that some dealerships have even begun turning down shipments of the midsize sedan from the factory in Marysville, Ohio. They're blaming a lack of attractive leasing options for consumers.
At $24,460 with shipping, the 2018 Accord is priced higher than its predecessor, meaning higher monthly lease payments for return customers. A standard three-year lease for the base LX trim version brings a monthly $249 payment after plunking down $3,199. By comparison, you can lease a Toyota Camry for just $199 a month in Miami for a similar down payment, or $219 a month in Los Angeles with $1,999 down.
One Detroit-area Honda dealer said the quality of the new Accord doesn't seal the deal with consumers looking to lease for only a few years.
"The quality gap has narrowed between the domestics, Honda and Toyota," the dealer told Automotive News. "When you're buying a car, you have a great story to tell a customer. When you're leasing, they say, 'Well, it has at least three years of warranty on it.' They're just renting it anyway. It is an uphill battle."
The Accord is also competing in a tough segment, as U.S. buyers increasingly shun sedans for larger crossovers, SUVs and pickups.
Now in its 10th generation, the Accord moved from a V6 to two direct-injection, turbocharged four-cylinder engine options, plus a two-mode hybrid system. You can read our First Drive review here.
Related Video:
03-12-18, 05:01 PM
#4
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
03-12-18, 05:38 PM
#7
Lexus Test Driver
The new Accord looks Horrible!
The previous gen was very handsome car especially in Sport trim.
Im sure the car is good and the interior styling/ergonomics all seem very top notch but that exterior ughh.
I was actually sitting behind one in traffic on Sunday and i asked my wife how can someone in their right mind approve this design - the rear of the car is its worst part.
The previous gen was very handsome car especially in Sport trim.
Im sure the car is good and the interior styling/ergonomics all seem very top notch but that exterior ughh.
I was actually sitting behind one in traffic on Sunday and i asked my wife how can someone in their right mind approve this design - the rear of the car is its worst part.
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03-12-18, 05:51 PM
#8
Die hard Honda Accord consumers don’t want turbocharged engine choices. They prefer natural aspiration to turbocharged because they feel they may only get 100k miles before they need to replace the turbo. Toyota has taken a different route with the Camry only offering natural aspiration and a 53mpg hybrid with a full size trunk. Honda consumers have apparently all flocked over to Camry.
03-12-18, 05:53 PM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
03-12-18, 06:04 PM
#10
Lexus Champion
If those lease prices for Camry are accurate, then Toyota is also having to do deals to move those cars. A lot of posters here associate styling changes with sales and there's a very good possibility that is true. The Accord was never an edgy sedan and now they've kind of done something really odd with it. They may have to do a restyle quickly.
03-12-18, 06:36 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
Die hard Honda Accord consumers don’t want turbocharged engine choices. They prefer natural aspiration to turbocharged because they feel they may only get 100k miles before they need to replace the turbo. Toyota has taken a different route with the Camry only offering natural aspiration and a 53mpg hybrid with a full size trunk. Honda consumers have apparently all flocked over to Camry.
It does seem very logical to me -- buyers of the Accord and Camry have bought them because of their well-earned reputations for reliability, dependability and longevity.
03-12-18, 07:05 PM
#13
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
in their efforts to stem the tide turning to cuvs/suvs toyota and honda both have gone to 'look at me!' styling and i think that won't work.
03-12-18, 07:18 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
Sonata starts at $20,050
Malibu starts at $21,680
Camry starts at $23,495
Accord starts at $23,570.
So the price is about $1000-$1500 too high. You are also stuck with a turbo no matter what you Accord you choose.
Guarantee Honda will offer a naturally aspirated I4 very soon. Price will drop a bit too.
03-12-18, 07:45 PM
#15
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter