ridgeline Archives

Report: Honda Ridgeline to take two-year dirt nap before resurrection

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda

2012 Honda Ridgeline Sport

Three years ago, Honda said there would be no new-generation Honda Ridgeline coming in 2011. In late 2011, when there was still no word on a replacement for the little truck that’s been carrying on pretty much the same since 2006, within the space of a month both Honda’s US truck planner and the CEO of American Honda said the Ridgeline would continue and that it was an integral part of the lineup.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t take a two-year timeout. A report in Ward’s Auto says that the Lincoln, AL plant that builds the Ridgeline will cease its production in September, 2014 and a new one won’t arrive until 2016. That’s a walk-back from when the plan was to have the current truck run until a week before the next-generation truck went into production. Even so, Honda still says the Ridgeline isn’t going away forever, a company spokesman telling Ward’s, “Ridgeline continues to be an important part of our lineup.”

2016 is a long way away, though, and we all know how quickly a product line put into a coma can end up suffering fatal consequences. Even though we keep talking about the Ridgeline, perhaps what Honda is actually saying is that the small pickup market is important to them, and they’re working on a way to take better advantage of it than the Ridgeline was doing. We’ll find out one way or the other in three years.

Honda Ridgeline to take two-year dirt nap before resurrection originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jul 2013 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Chrysler, Dodge, Canada

2006 Dodge Rampage concept

2006 Dodge Rampage Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Does the world need a competitor to the Honda Ridgeline? While sales figures of Honda’s half-truck would lead us to believe consumers aren’t clamoring for such a vehicle (Honda only sold 16,142 Ridgelines in 2010, barely more than the 13,047 Dakota’s Dodge moved), recent reports indicate that Chrysler seems to think otherwise.

We’ve known for some time that Dodge was considering a small urban-style pickup – ever since it showed off the Rampage Concept (shown above) at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show and then mentioned it again in Chrysler’s rambling five-year plan announced in 2009 – but talk of the so-called Lifestyle Pickup had cooled off… until now.

According to wheels.ca, Chrysler suppliers were recently briefed on the automaker’s future product plans, and a replacement for the unloved Dakota is on the docket. It’s thought that Chrysler may build the vehicle in Windsor, Ontario atop its minivan platform, which lends credence to the Ridgeline comparison.

We have to wonder if the crossover platform employed by the latest (and very well-received) Durango might be a better bet, but we’ll surely reserve judgement until something more concrete than these rumors begin to surface. We’re also curious as to whether the small pickup would wear a Dodge or Ram badge. Stay tuned for more…

Chrysler developing TR Ram Life Style Truck to compete with Honda Ridgeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 May 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept is a Korean Honda Ridgeline

Filed under: Concept Cars, Truck, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Diesel, South Korea

Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept - Geneva reveal

Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ssangyong, the other other South Korean automaker, has cranked out a “concept” SUV/pickup for the overseas markets. Please, hold your applause until the end. In reality, the SUT-1 Concept is actually a near-future production model for Ssangyong, and only a concept because they’ve dubbed it one.

As shown here, the SUT-1 draws power from a 153-horsepower 2.0-liter diesel four-banger sporting 265 pound feet of torque. Buyers in the European and Asian markets where this vehicle will be sold will have the choice between a manual or automatic transmission.

Unfortunately, truck fans, Ssangyong won’t be gracing us with the SUT-1’s presence. That’s a bummer, because we still believe there’s promise in the idea of a small pickup – particularly with a diesel. Besides, this one looks a good bit better than the aging Honda Ridgeline, no?

Gallery: Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept: Geneva 2011

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept is a Korean Honda Ridgeline

Geneva 2011: Ssangyong SUT 1 Concept is a Korean Honda Ridgeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Honda says it’s sticking by Ridgeline

Filed under: Truck, Honda

2011 Honda Ridgeline

2011 Honda Ridgeline – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ll admit it – while it has its virtues, the Honda Ridgeline certainly isn’t our first (or second… or third) choice as the best truck currently on sale. Apparently, consumers agree. In fact, Honda only sold 16,142 Ridgelines in 2010, and when you compare that to the fact that General Motors sold 24,642 of the somewhat underwhelming Chevrolet Colorado pickups, the business case for the Ridgeline seems very weak, especially in lieu of the recent death of Honda’s other offbeat all-terrain offering, the Element.

According to USA Today, however, the Ridgeline isn’t headed for the Great Parking Lot in the Sky just yet. Quite the contrary, actually. American Honda’s executive vice president, John Mendel, says the Ridgeline has developed a very strong following over the years, telling USA Today that Honda believes it has “a ways to go on the Ridgeline.”

This in mind, we’d expect to see a refreshed version of Honda’s truck within the next few years. If Honda is seriously committed to offering the Ridgeline, let’s hope the automaker can broaden its appeal to truck shoppers, because if dismal sales numbers continue, Honda may have no choice but to change its tune and reach for the axe.

Gallery: 2011 Honda Ridgeline

2011 Honda Ridgeline

[Source: USA Today]

Report: Honda says it’s sticking by Ridgeline originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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