Fans of the Honda CR-V and Accord, brace yourselves. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that both models will be discontinued in its home market this year.
Honda's fifth-generation CR-V will be the last iteration for the Japanese market
Automotive website bestcarweb.jp reports that Honda will stop domestic production for the CR-V compact crossover by the end of August. Meanwhile, the Accord mid-size sedan will say goodbye to Japanese customers by September.
Both models join an extensive list of Honda vehicles that have gotten the axe as far as Japan is concerned. These include the Odyssey and Shuttle minivans, Legend and Clarity midsize sedans, S660 Kei car, Insight hybrid compact car, and Acty Kei truck.
While the Odyssey has been produced at the Sayama facility alongside the Vezel (HR-V) and the Stepwgn minivan, only the latter two been transferred to other plants.
Current stocks of the Accord in Japan are just waiting to be cleared out
The second-generation NSX sports car will also bow out by December, heavily rumored to be replaced by an all-electric version. But all these were preceded by the departure of the Civic from the Japanese market in 2020, although the compact sedan lives on in overseas markets.
According to Honda’s public relations department, the drastic changes in the lineup are a “result of re-examining the Japanese market trends and customer needs.” In particular, the CR-V was singled out as being expensive and unsuitable for the Japanese market, resulting in sluggish sales. Meanwhile, the crossover’s sixth generation for the global market recently made its global debut.
On the other hand, the current Accord will reportedly still be sold to customers until the replacement model appears.
The lineup changes were caused in part by the closure of Honda's Sayama production facility
The large number of models dropped from Honda’s lineup has been attributed in part to the closure of the automaker’s Sayama factory, as well as Honda’s focus on electrification with plans to develop 30 electric models worldwide by 2030. However, the new Civic e:HEV hybrid is rumored to be replacing the Insight in Japan.
Learn about more changes that car brands are making at Philkotse.com.
Know more about Honda CR-V 2024
The 2024 Honda CR-V is a midsize crossover SUV. For the Philippine market, it has three variants: the V Turbo CVT, VX Turbo CVT, and the RS e:HEV (hybrid) e-CVT.
The latest version of this Honda model has two different engine options. For the top-spec hybrid trim, it uses a 2.0-liter gasoline four-banger paired with a dual motor and lithium-ion battery. The combustion component alone produces up to 145 horsepower and 183 Nm of torque. The electric-powered component meanwhile, can churn out 181 horsepower and 335 Nm of torque.
Aboard the V and VX trims meanwhile is a 1.5-liter inline-4 engine that can churn out 187 horsepower and 240 Nm of torque.
Only the VX gets all-wheel-drive, while the rest are front-wheel-drive. All trims then use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), but the one on the hybrid trim is an electronic CVT (e-CVT).
In terms of dimensions, the all-new CR-V is 4,691mm long, 1,866mm wide, and 1,681mm (1,691mm for VX) in height. Both the hybrid and the V’s wheelbase then spans 2,701mm (2,700mm for VX).
Locally, the Honda CR-V competes against the likes of the Mazda CX-9, Cherry Tiggo 8 Pro, Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, Peugeot 5008, etc.
₱ 2,100,000 - ₱ 2,590,000
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