Honda Pushes Early Mid-Cycle Refresh for 2012 Civic
10/31/11, 10:23 AM
#1
TMS Post # 1,000,000
Serbian Steamer
Serbian Steamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: January 30, 2004
Location: Wisconsin / Serbia
Posts: 12,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Honda Pushes Early Mid-Cycle Refresh for 2012 Civic
http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-ho...ic-130717.html
Call it either a commitment to quality or an acknowledgement of a mistake: Honda has reportedly fast-tracked a mid-cycle refresh of the 2012 Honda Civic coupe and sedan after the current model was criticized for trailing several key competitors. The Honda Civic received a much-hyped refresh for the 2012 model year, but was largely panned in the automotive press. The car tumbled off of the top of the Consumer Reports list of recommended small cars for the first time in ages after the publication’s editors called it “insubstantial.” Wall Street Journal automotive writer and Car Show host Dan Neil called it a “massive fail.”
Most complaints about the Civic are hinged on the hard plastics within its interior, which early reviews from Automobile Magazine staffers called “average at best,” although it should also be said that much of its other content also lags behind the newly minted competitors from Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, and Chevrolet. The Civic has one fewer gear than most of its competitors, and has only one non-hybrid model — the HF — that achieves 40 mpg on the highway, despite producing less power than the Mazda 3i Touring, the Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. Early reviews for Motor Trend called it a “superior effort,” but criticized it for blandness, saying that unlike its predecessor, “we cannot give it a standing ovation.”
Normally, Honda’s mid-cycle refreshes occur after the product is nearly two or three years old, but an exception may be made for the Civic. Automotive News reports that Honda will significantly expedite that timetable. As a result, a refreshed Civic should hit Honda showrooms sometime in 2013, earlier than the original date of spring 2014.
If this all sounds like instituting a no-huddle offense late in the third quarter, it may well be, but American Honda President John Mendel told Automotive News his company is prepared to go the distance. “The comments…have not gone unnoticed,” he said. “We are appropriately energized.”
Call it either a commitment to quality or an acknowledgement of a mistake: Honda has reportedly fast-tracked a mid-cycle refresh of the 2012 Honda Civic coupe and sedan after the current model was criticized for trailing several key competitors. The Honda Civic received a much-hyped refresh for the 2012 model year, but was largely panned in the automotive press. The car tumbled off of the top of the Consumer Reports list of recommended small cars for the first time in ages after the publication’s editors called it “insubstantial.” Wall Street Journal automotive writer and Car Show host Dan Neil called it a “massive fail.”
Most complaints about the Civic are hinged on the hard plastics within its interior, which early reviews from Automobile Magazine staffers called “average at best,” although it should also be said that much of its other content also lags behind the newly minted competitors from Ford, Hyundai, Mazda, and Chevrolet. The Civic has one fewer gear than most of its competitors, and has only one non-hybrid model — the HF — that achieves 40 mpg on the highway, despite producing less power than the Mazda 3i Touring, the Ford Focus, and Hyundai Elantra. Early reviews for Motor Trend called it a “superior effort,” but criticized it for blandness, saying that unlike its predecessor, “we cannot give it a standing ovation.”
Normally, Honda’s mid-cycle refreshes occur after the product is nearly two or three years old, but an exception may be made for the Civic. Automotive News reports that Honda will significantly expedite that timetable. As a result, a refreshed Civic should hit Honda showrooms sometime in 2013, earlier than the original date of spring 2014.
If this all sounds like instituting a no-huddle offense late in the third quarter, it may well be, but American Honda President John Mendel told Automotive News his company is prepared to go the distance. “The comments…have not gone unnoticed,” he said. “We are appropriately energized.”
10/31/11, 06:53 PM
#8
Bullitt Member
Join Date: September 26, 2011
Location: Santa Rosa Beach, FL
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Honda has really screwed themselves by focusing on cheap over sportiness. They've put all of their performance apples into the Acura line and even then, I can think of many other vehicles I'd rather own in that segment than the Acura TL.
Honda has so thoroughly alienated their loyal customer base by going "green" that they have really put themselves in a bad place to be for a vehicle manufacturer. Depending on their past accomplishments to sell their current lineup.
Honda has so thoroughly alienated their loyal customer base by going "green" that they have really put themselves in a bad place to be for a vehicle manufacturer. Depending on their past accomplishments to sell their current lineup.
10/31/11, 09:25 PM
#10
I'm people, and I like.
Join Date: March 13, 2004
Location: PDX
Posts: 9,239
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10/31/11, 10:33 PM
#11
TMS Post # 1,000,000
Serbian Steamer
Serbian Steamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: January 30, 2004
Location: Wisconsin / Serbia
Posts: 12,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
10/31/11, 10:36 PM
#12
TMS Post # 1,000,000
Serbian Steamer
Serbian Steamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: January 30, 2004
Location: Wisconsin / Serbia
Posts: 12,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i knew what you meant
11/1/11, 11:21 AM
#16
I can say from personal experience that the Focus really is the class of this field and by some margin IMO. The biggest problem I have with the current generation Focus is that the base cars look 100% the base models that they are. To be blunt even the mid level models look none to upmarket. It is very obvious that Ford has taken the stance that, if you want a great looking car, you are going to have to pay for it. Perfect example, the wife and I saw a candy red metallic Focus Titanium the other day and it looked spectacular. The problem? While we could spend 24k on this car we aren't going to spend 24k on this car, 20k and change being our absolute max that we are willing to shell out.
Hyundai and Kia will happily let you buy a more basic model while adding the goodies that make it looks more substantial. Ford? Nope. I can't even get most of the things that make the Titanium model look so great at 21k, and in a C segment car 21k should by you a lot of leeway. In this one respect I think Ford has yet to realize that it isn't the late 90's anymore, and you can no longer expect to talk people into a more expensive car just because they can afford it as reliably as you once could. On the contrary, all this has done has taken a situation where the Focus would be a literal open and shut case for our next daily fuel miser, only to leave us looking at alternatives.
Sorry to veer off topic, please continue with your regularly scheduled programming.
11/1/11, 11:33 AM
#17
TMS Post # 1,000,000
Serbian Steamer
Serbian Steamer
Thread Starter
Join Date: January 30, 2004
Location: Wisconsin / Serbia
Posts: 12,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Focus just got really expensive overnight.
$18,000 for a base Focus hatchback is just too much ... especially since I paid only $15,500 for a brand new Fusion 3 years ago.
$18,000 for a base Focus hatchback is just too much ... especially since I paid only $15,500 for a brand new Fusion 3 years ago.
11/1/11, 11:39 AM
#18
Yeah, the wife and I are looking for another car for the daily grind (basically, my everyday driver this go 'round) and I keep finding myself drawn back to the C segment offerings. The Kia Forte and the Hyundai Accent both look great and are surprisingly affordable relative to the competition....until you actually spend some time in them. Magazines burned this phrase up decades ago but it really does fit here, cheap touches abound in both cars.
I can say from personal experience that the Focus really is the class of this field and by some margin IMO. The biggest problem I have with the current generation Focus is that the base cars look 100% the base models that they are. To be blunt even the mid level models look none to upmarket. It is very obvious that Ford has taken the stance that, if you want a great looking car, you are going to have to pay for it. Perfect example, the wife and I saw a candy red metallic Focus Titanium the other day and it looked spectacular. The problem? While we could spend 24k on this car we aren't going to spend 24k on this car, 20k and change being our absolute max that we are willing to shell out.
Hyundai and Kia will happily let you buy a more basic model while adding the goodies that make it looks more substantial. Ford? Nope. I can't even get most of the things that make the Titanium model look so great at 21k, and in a C segment car 21k should by you a lot of leeway. In this one respect I think Ford has yet to realize that it isn't the late 90's anymore, and you can no longer expect to talk people into a more expensive car just because they can afford it as reliably as you once could. On the contrary, all this has done has taken a situation where the Focus would be a literal open and shut case for our next daily fuel miser, only to leave us looking at alternatives.
Sorry to veer off topic, please continue with your regularly scheduled programming.
I can say from personal experience that the Focus really is the class of this field and by some margin IMO. The biggest problem I have with the current generation Focus is that the base cars look 100% the base models that they are. To be blunt even the mid level models look none to upmarket. It is very obvious that Ford has taken the stance that, if you want a great looking car, you are going to have to pay for it. Perfect example, the wife and I saw a candy red metallic Focus Titanium the other day and it looked spectacular. The problem? While we could spend 24k on this car we aren't going to spend 24k on this car, 20k and change being our absolute max that we are willing to shell out.
Hyundai and Kia will happily let you buy a more basic model while adding the goodies that make it looks more substantial. Ford? Nope. I can't even get most of the things that make the Titanium model look so great at 21k, and in a C segment car 21k should by you a lot of leeway. In this one respect I think Ford has yet to realize that it isn't the late 90's anymore, and you can no longer expect to talk people into a more expensive car just because they can afford it as reliably as you once could. On the contrary, all this has done has taken a situation where the Focus would be a literal open and shut case for our next daily fuel miser, only to leave us looking at alternatives.
Sorry to veer off topic, please continue with your regularly scheduled programming.
But I do understand your position on cost. I might have thought harder about getting my Titanium if I didn't have the A/Z-Plan option. That being stated I really wanted the Titanium (with Handling Package) and love it!! I'm glad I didn't get a Fusion or Taurus (as both were options).
11/1/11, 02:16 PM
#19
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Join Date: February 1, 2004
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ford's B/C offerings are intended to overlap, they're trying a new strategy down there with some overlap. The idea is that at a set dollar amount, instead of being "stuck" with whatever Ford vehicle fits that amount you can decide between a smaller car with more amenities or a larger car with a more basic load. In other words, they're hoping people cross-shop Fords with other Fords as well as Fords against the competition.
Guess we'll see how that strategy works.
Guess we'll see how that strategy works.
Last edited by Moosetang; 11/1/11 at 02:18 PM.
11/1/11, 06:36 PM
#20
Are you looking at sedan or 5-door hatches? A nice SE Focus sedan with 17" wheels/sport package and 201a package is ~21K (hatch being a bit more.) And I think one can get a Focus with 0% APR at present time.
But I do understand your position on cost. I might have thought harder about getting my Titanium if I didn't have the A/Z-Plan option. That being stated I really wanted the Titanium (with Handling Package) and love it!! I'm glad I didn't get a Fusion or Taurus (as both were options).
But I do understand your position on cost. I might have thought harder about getting my Titanium if I didn't have the A/Z-Plan option. That being stated I really wanted the Titanium (with Handling Package) and love it!! I'm glad I didn't get a Fusion or Taurus (as both were options).
If I want a more 'grown up' look I have to spend more money for options I don't really want and am forced to abandon the manual transmission that I actually do want. I understand that no car is every going to hit every sweet spot, but the fact that this car cannot be had without the very polarizing red and black interior at this trim level leaves me scratching my head a bit. IMO this is more than a minor oversight, and honestly may unfortunately be the reason that I don't buy a Focus.
Originally Posted by Moosetang
Ford's B/C offerings are intended to overlap, they're trying a new strategy down there with some overlap. The idea is that at a set dollar amount, instead of being "stuck" with whatever Ford vehicle fits that amount you can decide between a smaller car with more amenities or a larger car with a more basic load. In other words, they're hoping people cross-shop Fords with other Fords as well as Fords against the competition.
Guess we'll see how that strategy works.
Guess we'll see how that strategy works.
If I could just select a black leather interior rather than red and black I would be willing to compromise on the rest. At the moment, we aren't sure what we are going to go with.
Last edited by jsaylor; 11/1/11 at 06:38 PM.