Honda Posts a Flat Month, Acura Still Struggles

Record May sales for American Honda Motor Co., Inc., increased to 145,367, up from 141,810 in 2006, breaking the previous May record set in 2004, the company announced today. The Honda Division posted record May sales of 129,447, up from May 2006 results of 125,639.

With one additional selling day in May 2007, the daily selling rate* (DSR) percentage change represents a 1.4 percent decline for American Honda and a 0.9 percent decline for Honda Division. Year-to-date American Honda sales increased to 625,994, up 1.0 percent.

Honda Division's new May record was bolstered by all-time record sales of the compact Civic and subcompact Fit and a new May record for the CR-V crossover SUV - the best-selling SUV in the U.S. Civic sales of 39,993, up 32.6 percent for the month, shattered an all-time record of 36,533 set in August 2001. Civic Hybrid sales of 4,520, up 50.4 percent, also broke the all-time record of 4,146 set in August 2005. Record May CR-V sales increased by 35.9 percent to 19,513. Fit results of 5,361 achieved a new all-time record.

"Small is big right now," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda. "Smaller vehicles have become more attractive for multiple reasons and we expect this trend to continue for the time being."

Additional large volume Honda Division products for May include the Accord, 31,915; Odyssey, 15,235; and Pilot, 10,133. Ridgeline and Element volume respectively totaled 3,600 and 3,187. Year-to-date, Honda Division sales of 551,220 are up 2.5 percent with total car sales increasing by 3.9 percent and light truck sales increasing by 0.7 percent on a DSR basis.

Acura Division sales totaled 15,920. The recent introductions of the completely redesigned MDX luxury SUV and all-new RDX crossover SUV pushed Acura light truck sales up 82.6 percent to 6,635. The MDX posted strong May sales of 4,623, up 27.2 percent versus last year and up 7.1 percent for the year on a DSR basis.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 26 days for May 2007, versus 25 for 2006.

dlin - 6/1/2007 6:54:54 PM

-2 Boost

HONDA is so screwed.

Time to come up w/ V8 and VTEC I6 engine.

Mostly important, RWD!

S4cabriofoxone - 6/1/2007 9:57:12 PM

+2 Boost

Hardly. They're doing just as well as ever. Do you see Toyota and Nissan with RWD mainstream cars in their lineup?

dlin - 6/2/2007 11:25:55 PM

+1 Boost

Surely they have. You never heard the Skyline?

Oh that reminds me VW is the only one without any RWD, not even in AUDI.

bagwell - 6/1/2007 10:01:23 PM

0 Boost

you must work for GM - the world is changing -
1. Hybrid Fit needed immediately
2. Next Gen Accord with IMA on either a diesel or 4 cyl motor not the V6 (V6 Accord Hybrid was a dumb move -- see how many they've sold vs Civic Hybrid).
3. Expand IMA to clean diesels ASAP.

rocker - 6/1/2007 10:05:52 PM

+2 Boost

I really enjoy Honda designs. Good Cars, good company.

Agent63 - 6/1/2007 10:50:28 PM

+1 Boost

Agreed

truecarlover - 6/2/2007 9:22:45 AM

+1 Boost

Yeah me too. I've always liked Honda's over Toyota's (and yes I've owned both). They are both great car company's - but Honda has more "soul" if you ask me. I guess the reason Toyota sells more is because of they have so many more models. It's the same thing with Acura and Lexus in my eyes.

mikeydred20 - 6/2/2007 12:23:22 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota sells more because they are corporate hogs you see them as taxi's and rentals, something Honda/Acura doesn't do because they are a private company.

mikeydred20 - 6/3/2007 11:04:50 AM

+1 Boost

After all this atleast they still sell more than Infiniti, this goes back to previous articles of why the RL doesn't sell Acura atleast is second amongts Japanesse Luxury brands, if anything it's Infiniti that has the image problem.

Blakura - 6/3/2007 12:27:51 PM

0 Boost

Honda and acura are, for the most part, revamping their lineup, give them 2 yrs. and they'll be winning sales races once again. You'll see the TL give the 3 series serious competition for the best sales of a luxury sedan (eventhough, their are no TL coupes, convertibles, nor are there any wagons). The accord will give toyota sleepless nights once the redesigns come out in the next 2 yrs. Just my thoughts.