Honda to drop Crosstour, move Accord hybrid output to Japan

PRODUCTION STOPS AFTER 2015

The end of the road is near for the Honda Crosstour.

Honda said today that it will stop producing the slow-selling Accord derivative after the 2015 model year, as part of a broader move aimed at boosting truck-production capacity.

The end of Crosstour production will enable Honda’s East Liberty, Ohio, plant to focus on building the CR-V and Acura RDX models, both of which are enjoying brisk sales.

At the same time, Honda will also shift production of the Accord hybrid from Marysville, Ohio, plant to its Sayama plant in Japan.

Crosstour sales have fallen short of expectations since its launch in 2010, and this year have plunged to new lows. Only 742 were sold in March.

In a statement, John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., said the new HR-V small crossover is about to start arriving in dealerships and will meet the needs of customers who were once targeted by the Crosstour.

“The crossover segment has evolved and we believe the all-new 2016 Honda HR-V launching later this spring will create new value for crossover shoppers and play a more significant role as a gateway model for the Honda brand to drive light truck sales growth,” Mendel said.

“This move will allow the East Liberty Plant to focus on meeting demand for the CR-V and a refreshed 2016 Acura RDX and, as announced last month, expand light truck production in early 2017 with the Acura MDX.”

In February, Honda made other moves in East Liberty that cast doubt on the Crosstour's fate. The plant will soon add production of the Acura MDX crossover, which generates sales of about 5,000 a month and sells at higher prices.

About the same time, Toyota Motor Corp. said it will halt production of the Venza, a wagon-style derivative of the Camry that competes against the Crosstour.

Over the last decade, Honda has launched new generations of some of the biggest selling nameplates in the industry. The Accord, Civic, CR-V and Odyssey are giants in their segments, and the new Fit now appears to be taking off after a troubled launch last year.

But it has misfired with a string of others -- the CR-Z and Insight hybrids, the Ridgeline pickup, the Element and now the Crosstour. Unlike the Crosstour, the Ridgeline is getting another shot. A redesigned truck is due next year.

"Honda to drop Crosstour, move Accord hybrid output to Japan" was originally posted at Automotive News on 4/8/15.