Posted on 01/08/2006 12:31:29 PM PST by paulat
Honda sweeps honors at Detroit auto show
Sun Jan 8, 12:26 PM ET
DETROIT (Reuters) - Honda Motor Corp. (7267.T) swept the top honors at the Detroit auto show on Sunday as its all-new Civic and first-ever pickup, the Ridgeline, were voted car and truck of the year by a panel of automotive writers.
The result marked another setback for Ford Motor Co. (NYSE:F - news) and General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM - news), which have been losing market share to Japanese competitors in their home market and have pledged to mount a comeback in the passenger car market.
The Ford Fusion and the Pontiac Solstice had been the other finalists for the North American Car of the Year award, given by a panel of 49 car writers from the United States and Canada.
The revamped 2006 Civic and the Ridgeline, Honda's first truck offering, had also won vehicle of the year honors from trade magazine Motor Trend, giving Honda a first-of-its-kind sweep in all four major awards and an important marketing tool to attract new buyers.
"I don't know how you can top this. We certainly hoped for one, didn't expect two (awards)," said John Mandel, senior vice president at American Honda. "Words can't express the excitement. It's the first time it's ever been done, I believe."
The Ridgeline, which Honda introduced in April, is on track to meet the company's target for 50,000 unit sales in North America in the first full year, Mandel said.
Honda has promoted its first entry into the truck market, which features a relatively short bed and roomier passenger cabin, in part on the basis of its responsive handling and safety features.
Honda expects to sell more than 300,000 Civics in 2006, Mandel said, adding that sales since the revamped model's launch had benefited from renewed consumer attention to fuel economy.
The Civic also comes in a hybrid version, offering 49 miles per gallon for city driving and 51 miles per gallon on the highway.
"Sales have been phenomenal. It's really hit the ground running," Mandel said of the Civic.
The full-time auto writers who voted on the vehicle-of-the- year awards assigned points to each entrant on the basis of ride, performance, safety and value considerations.
The Civic Coupe price starts at $14,360, while the Ridgeline starts at $27,700 before optional features.
I just bought my first Honda and after the sale, I thought I may have made a mistake...should've stuck to Toyota since I've owned Toyotas in the past and currently own one. In retrospect, I made a mistake. I bought a 2006 CRV but subsequently learned that the 2006 RAV4 has more room (a third row), is quieter, and has more horsepower (V6) even though it's still a mini SUV. Rats, now I have buyer's remorse.
Advice to new car buyers: When you have to chose between a Honda/Accura and a Toyota/Lexus, go Toyota/Lexus, you'll never make a bad decision.
Remorseful Honda Owner but
Satisfied Toyota Owner
They're pretty solid. I have an 87 Acura Legend Coupe that also has 252k. I'd drive it to Alaska and back without hesitation.......
The Solstice is a real milestone and should do well - the Solstice and Fusion should have won. The Accord and the Civic are both overpriced - don't know about the truck but $27K seems awfully high.
My 87 Chevy Caprice Station wagon has 262,000 miles on it and it still looking (after a new paint job 7 years ago) and running very well.
I am glad that is YOUR opinion. I love my CRV.
Good, that one looks more like it should. ;-) Thanks.
I compared the RAV4 and CR-V and liked the CR-V better. I'm very glad I bought Honda in that case.
I was out walking the other day and saw for the first time a Honda Ridgeback. I stopped and looked it over, and commented to my wife what an ideal vehicle for us. We both are retired . I have a truck and she an older Cadillac.
It would be nice to get down to one vehicle. The truck aspect is great for hauling fishing gear. (Rods reels coolers ice bait etc, and for hauling stuff to the dump and for grocery shopping. Plus you have the car seating arrangement. I have to take a closer look at the Ridgeback this spring. - Tom
GM, Ford, and Chrysler have only proven that funding a corporate welfare state is an ineffective way to run a business in a competitive environment.
There never was a question as to whether or not Americans in general can make a better product. Of course we can. But the Big Three will need to shake off the unions, the liberal politicians, and their failed management teams to have any hope of making a comeback.
We recently became a 2 Honda family when I traded a 9 year old Dodge Neon in on a CR-V. We've had a Odessey van for 4 years now. Looked at the Escape and the RAV-4 but the CR-V offered more for the money than the Toyota and held it's resale value a whole lot better than the Ford.
Decide what you really need in a vehicle, and find the best match, regardless of manufacturer.
Styling cues from VW.
the exterior styling of the Miata is worse, it has less room inside (especially for the passenger, as the footwell instrusion is significant). The Miata has a smoother engine for sure, an easier operating top, and more storage space.
I love my '05 Honda CRV!!!!!! It's the best vehicle I have owned (though admittedly the competition in that department was not too tough) and the best I could find at that price point when I was shopping for it a year ago.
I had no idea Honda made these: 
:-) You're a Ford driver, so I suppose that explains a few things...
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