04/01/2009 - TORRANCE, Calif. -

American Honda Motor Co., Inc., posted March vehicle sales of 88,379, a decline of 33.7 percent compared to March 2008, based on the daily selling rate*, the company reported today. Honda Division posted March sales of 79,374, a decline of 34.2 percent compared to March 2008.

"The sales decline appears particularly steep when compared to last year's strong first quarter," said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. "The launch of the all-new Honda Insight hybrid is helping to better position the company for a tough economy where affordability and efficiency count more than ever. The demand for innovation still exists."

The 2010 Insight debuted in limited quantities on March 24 and achieved sales of 569 in its first partial month of sales. Honda Division total car sales decreased by 32.6 percent, to 49,346. Honda Division light-truck sales decreased 36.7 percent, to 30,028.

The Acura Division posted sales of 9,005, a decline of 29.5 percent compared to March 2008. Sales of the TSX sports sedan, the brand's second-best-selling model for the month, increased 16.6 percent, to 2,556.

*The daily selling rate is calculated with 25 days for March 2009 and 26 days for March 2008. All percentages reflect the daily selling rate.

It has been in the news here that our East Liberty Plant will be closed for something like 13 days. :-(

It has been in the news here that our East Liberty Plant will be closed for something like 13 days. :-(

What models are they primarily building there? Sorry to hear of the news for your community.

We have visited that plant in June and they are building there our beloved E :-( and CR-V.

I saw a local commercial yesterday for "Honda's Super Sales Event" or something like that, and at the end they had images of all their vehicles slowly appearing on the screen, one at a time. I watched them all scroll through and they didn't even show the element. Every other Honda vehicle EXCEPT the Element. I think '09 is it folks! :-(

my dealer says it looks super bad for the element. they have had the same 08s on the lot since october and one since july. there is an rbp sc and three asms. they say it is likely that those will still be here when the 2010 other models start rolling in. they also said it looks like the ridgeline and element will be manufactured in low quantities and may be out for good.

my dealer says it looks super bad for the element. they have had the same 08s on the lot since october and one since july. there is an rbp sc and three asms. they say it is likely that those will still be here when the 2010 other models start rolling in. they also said it looks like the ridgeline and element will be manufactured in low quantities and may be out for good.

Not surprising if 2009 is it for the Element...it's a great vehicle, but definitely a niche/specialty vehicle. I am surprised that your dealer is stuck with 2008 E's...it's impossible to find one here in Edmonton (Canada). If I could've gotten my hands on one, I'd have snapped it up in a heartbeat - especially since Honda Canada was offering $4000 cash back/rebates on the 2008's.

And it would be sad to see the Ridgeline truck go away...didn't it beat out Ford, GM & Chrysler a couple of times for "Truck of the Year?" It's a great truck and if I were ever looking at getting a truck, it'd definitely be the direction I'd go.

Jeff @ YEG

my dealer says it looks super bad for the element. they have had the same 08s on the lot since october and one since july. there is an rbp sc and three asms. they say it is likely that those will still be here when the 2010 other models start rolling in. they also said it looks like the ridgeline and element will be manufactured in low quantities and may be out for good.

Well crap. I'd like to know. I wish they'd just say at some point - do they ever? I think GM made a huge deal with Oldsmobile went away (but that's a whole 'line.') I remember when the Cavalier went away (because I used to drive one back in the day).

The sales are awful all around, but majorly low for the E.

My concern is I was planning on keeping the E for 8-10 years. I've had it 6 months. But I really don't want to worry about repairs/parts on a car that is not made in the first year of my buying it.

I like the thing so much, this is just disappointing. I thought it'd be around a few more years when I bought it as Honda only has the CRV/Pilot otherwise and those don't fill the E niche. Seems like Nissan and Toyota are pushing their crossovers like crazy.

my dealer says it looks super bad for the element. ...


http://bringontheendtimes.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/end-nigh.jpg

Parts availability shouldn't be a problem for most things I wouldn't think given the Accord engine/CRV drivetrain etc. Major repair after an accident might be problematic, however.

here is a sign of the times.
Honda is storing up to 10,000 vehicles it can't sell at the closed lorain Ford plant in Ohio.

http://blog.cleveland.com/business/2009/03/honda_storing_unsold_cars_at_f.html

Sad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They only sold 912 E's in March!? Throughout the whole country!! Man that really sucks:-(

Canadian overall Sales were definetely down, started to pick up again with Honda bringing back 0.9% financing up to 60 mos. late in March. April is already off to a good start for us. Finally, been a long slow winter for some dealers.

i may be wrong as i often am, but i believe the 0.9% financing in canada is only for civics & accords...

jan-2009 was the best month EVER for the E in canada volume-wise, but that was primarily driven by the $8k cash purchase incentive...

canada vs. the US aside, we shouldn't be surprised by the lack of Es on Dealer lots given the credit crisis. this is a massive cash crunch. with the death of the S2K in jun-2009, the E will claim the title of the lowest volume selling honda (exc. acura brand). Given that borrowing $$ costs so darn much, it makes sense that dealers dont wanna stock a lowly selling vehicle like the E on their lots so that it can burn interest just sitting there. i mean, darnit, even corporate toyota recently could not borrow $$ @ reasonable terms in the U.S. so they basically borrowed $$ from the japanese government to help finance vehicles in the US. don’t forget, toyota has the top credit rating of all major carmakers, so it should be able to borrow money cheapest all else equal…it's a sh*t storm out there…it really is, E or not, the economy is in shambles.

i also wouldn’t get too excited about the total mar-2009 U.S. light vehicle SAAR #s…I believe they beat consensus expectations for the 1st time in a very long time…that to me is just analysts finally getting bearish enough to reflect reality and secondly, seasonal factors as we enter the spring/summer peak selling season.

now with that said, i get the sense that honda is basically trying to flush out inventory of the E…it’s game over IMHO…the S2K needed a pre-announcement and an 'ultimate' edition to flush itself out. Being a diff. class of vehicle all together, i don't think a pre-announcement on the E would help flush it out. So...a mild facelift and heavy cash incentives may have been the preferred route. if the new Insight can sell past the 100k benchmark per annum, i hear production might get relocated to Ohio. I'm thinking East Liberty could do both the CRV and the new Insight. my bet is that an official discontinuation announcement of the E will be made by jun-2009…

having purchased an ’09 E myself in jan-2009, I feel no cognitive dissonance…it’s sad no doubt, but it’ll only make me more unique. as to parts and maintenance going forward, i wouldn’t worry about it. this ain’t GM, this is Honda and many E parts are shared with (i think) the crv and civic. no worries…

I have a coworker looking into an 09 here locally, but she is really weighing her options since she doesn't have a car payment right now. Unfortunately most people do not want a practical vehicle, they want bells and whistles. The E is certainly short on those (unless you mod it). It will go the way of many other Honda models, a flash in the pan (in the grand scheme of things). besides Honda doesn't really advertise some models, I rarely see the s2000, ridgeline, or element advertised. Just the pilot, accord and civic. I really don't see much for the fit either. At least around here.

I still love my E and it will be a part of my family for years.

I have a coworker looking into an 09 here locally, but she is really weighing her options since she doesn't have a car payment right now. Unfortunately most people do not want a practical vehicle, they want bells and whistles. The E is certainly short on those (unless you mod it). It will go the way of many other Honda models, a flash in the pan (in the grand scheme of things). besides Honda doesn't really advertise some models, I rarely see the s2000, ridgeline, or element advertised. Just the pilot, accord and civic. I really don't see much for the fit either. At least around here.

I still love my E and it will be a part of my family for years.

i agree...
but truth is, the Fit dont need advertising whatsoever...it rocks and relatively speaking the mar-2009 honda sales figures justify it...truth is, ive always wanted an E since its intro, but shunned it as being too $$...i was fully prepared to buy a Fit (Sport) until the cash purchase incentives for the E came along in canada.
...my uncle needs a new car with utility. i of course recommended the E...he's like ur avg. consumer, doesnt know much...just wanted something reliable with utility...he owns a commercial cleaning company...they clean offices and large homes...regularly needs to transport cleaning equipment and such...no kids, just a wife who worx with him...the E wuda fit the bill perfectly...he's getting a CRV or a RAV4...alas, only weirdos like us buy an E, despite how much practical sense it makes...the avg. consumer doesnt have a clue...

edited
having purchased an ’09 E myself in jan-2009, I feel no cognitive dissonance…deletion.. no worries…

Ahh... what more could one ask than to have achieved a state of consonance... and all because of the Element.

Ahh... what more could one ask than to have achieved a state of consonance... and all because of the Element.

:)

a state of zen indeed...all these years i was searching for meaning in life; when all i had to do was buy an E
:D

couldn't agree more, best vehicle I've owned!

Here's a quick list of what a local dealer has in stock:

Accord (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Accord&_page=) (94)
Accord Sdn (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Accord+Sdn&_page=) (6)
Civic (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Civic&_page=) (74)

CR-V (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=CR-V&_page=) (23)
Element (1)
Fit (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Fit&_page=) (34)


Insight (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Insight&_page=) (5)
Odyssey (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Odyssey&_page=) (23)
Pilot (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Pilot&_page=) (30)


Ridgeline (http://urlhonda-of-el-cerrito-new--ebizautos--com.reachlocal.net/website.aspx?_new=true&_bodystyle=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10&_makef=Honda&_model=Ridgeline&_page=) (1)


The E and the RL get no love. :-(

i may be wrong as i often am, but i believe the 0.9% financing in canada is only for civics & accords...

jan-2009 was the best month EVER for the E in canada volume-wise, but that was primarily driven by the $8k cash purchase incentive...

canada vs. the US aside, we shouldn't be surprised by the lack of Es on Dealer lots given the credit crisis. this is a massive cash crunch. with the death of the S2K in jun-2009, the E will claim the title of the lowest volume selling honda (exc. acura brand). Given that borrowing $$ costs so darn much, it makes sense that dealers dont wanna stock a lowly selling vehicle like the E on their lots so that it can burn interest just sitting there. i mean, darnit, even corporate toyota recently could not borrow $$ @ reasonable terms in the U.S. so they basically borrowed $$ from the japanese government to help finance vehicles in the US. don’t forget, toyota has the top credit rating of all major carmakers, so it should be able to borrow money cheapest all else equal…it's a sh*t storm out there…it really is, E or not, the economy is in shambles.

i also wouldn’t get too excited about the total mar-2009 U.S. light vehicle SAAR #s…I believe they beat consensus expectations for the 1st time in a very long time…that to me is just analysts finally getting bearish enough to reflect reality and secondly, seasonal factors as we enter the spring/summer peak selling season.

now with that said, i get the sense that honda is basically trying to flush out inventory of the E…it’s game over IMHO…the S2K needed a pre-announcement and an 'ultimate' edition to flush itself out. Being a diff. class of vehicle all together, i don't think a pre-announcement on the E would help flush it out. So...a mild facelift and heavy cash incentives may have been the preferred route. if the new Insight can sell past the 100k benchmark per annum, i hear production might get relocated to Ohio. I'm thinking East Liberty could do both the CRV and the new Insight. my bet is that an official discontinuation announcement of the E will be made by jun-2009…

having purchased an ’09 E myself in jan-2009, I feel no cognitive dissonance…it’s sad no doubt, but it’ll only make me more unique. as to parts and maintenance going forward, i wouldn’t worry about it. this ain’t GM, this is Honda and many E parts are shared with (i think) the crv and civic. no worries…

I guess my worry - and someone mentioned this along the way - is if you get rammed how hard will it be to find a door/panel/etc? I'm not much concerned with the mechanical parts, really. But you guys don't think it'll be hard to do the outside work that gets messed up in any kind of accident?

So sad. I hope they don't announce the end of the car. I heart my car. I went from an Accord to the E because it's different and fun and drives well. At least I don't walk to someone else's car and try to get in now. :/

I also worry about the future availability interior parts like seats, dash components and of finders and other external parts. Not so much in the next year or so but 5years + down the road. I can see how it could be hard to fine parts. But I really enjoy my E! It is just a fun car to drive and I got the it with the plan to have it for a long time. So I just have more incentive take good care it.

I don't think you should be overly concerned about parts availability. The auto manufacturers are required by the government to provide parts for either 7 or 10 years from date of manufacture.I can never remember which it is.

I don't think you should be overly concerned about parts availability. The auto manufacturers are required by the government to provide parts for either 7 or 10 years from date of manufacture.I can never remember which it is.

10 years...no worries here

No worries unless some company buys Honda and sends all the NOS to landfills...

...as Chrysler did after it bought AMC in '88.

No worries unless some company buys Honda and sends all the NOS to landfills...

...as Chrysler did after it bought AMC in '88.

:)

tacking on a conservative 25% premium, it'll cost ~US$62B to buy honda...aint no one got that sorta $$ these days 'cept for the Chinese and the G20 i guess, but the latter's busy saving the world

I don't think you should be overly concerned about parts availability. The auto manufacturers are required by the government to provide parts for either 7 or 10 years from date of manufacture.I can never remember which it is.

Considering how Major Corporation have been compiling to so called government regulations the last few years and how dependable government oversight has been I do not think we can take much for granted. We can just be hopeful.

:)

tacking on a conservative 25% premium, it'll cost ~US$62B to buy honda...aint no one got that sorta $$ these days 'cept for the Chinese and the G20 i guess, but the latter's busy saving the world

Har. Ok, good to know about the 10 years!

someone would probably start selling parts continually....like the VW Buses.... after 20-30 years, there are specialized dealers that sells their parts!