Honda doesn’t contemplate the Civic a “core” mannequin anymore, however that doesn’t imply it’s on the chopping block.
The corporate has been busily increasing its Eleventh-generation Civic vary, with the Kind R the ultimate addition, however its key focus this 12 months is on SUVs.
It considers the HR-V, CR-V and upcoming ZR-V – which is able to slot between the 2 – as its “core” fashions, with the Civic hatch and Accord sedan supporting gamers.
“We wish to cater for a wider buyer base. Clearly we’re specializing in SUVs, as a result of that’s the quickest rising section of the business,” mentioned Honda Australia boss Carolyn McMahon.
“While we’re specializing in SUVs, that’s as a result of we’ve received a chance to broaden the line-up, however I wouldn’t say we’ve received plans to be an SUV-only model.”
Ms McMahon cited sturdy demand for the brand new Civic e:HEV hybrid specifically.
“[The Civic] is aligned to the Honda model general, so we don’t wish to lose that, that’s a part of who we’re,” mentioned Belinda Cusworth, common supervisor for buyer expertise.
The corporate hasn’t confirmed when the subsequent, Eleventh-generation Accord will launch regionally.
Final 12 months, the CR-V accounted for 57 per cent of the model’s gross sales in Australia. Honda bought 14,215 autos general and 8123 CR-Vs, with the HR-V a distant second at 4717 gross sales.
All up, SUVs accounted for 90 per cent of Honda gross sales in 2022.
Honda Australia’s passenger automobile line-up has shrunk significantly over the previous few years.
The Metropolis, Jazz and NSX have been axed in 2020, with the Odyssey withdrawn in 2022.
Civic quantity has fallen off from its predecessor, partly as a consequence of a dramatically pared-back line-up and a significantly larger base worth.
It misplaced its sedan physique type in Australia with the brand new era, and now opens at $47,200 drive-away – over $15,000 greater than the earlier base worth.
Accord gross sales fell yearly after 2013, even after it misplaced an in-house rival with the Accord Euro’s demise. They elevated for the primary time in 2022, albeit solely from 90 to 96 items, making the Accord the lowest-volume automobile in its section.
Honda now has as many passenger vehicles as Nissan, which solely gives the Z and Leaf regionally.
The rival Japanese model controversially dropped most of its passenger automobile line-up in the course of the 2010s, regardless that it nonetheless gives a spread of those in different markets.
