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Honda confirms more Fits coming to U.S. this fall

06/23/2008, 1:01 PM

By Drew Johnson

As previously speculated, Honda will boost U.S. Fit allotment when the all-new car launches in October. In the wake of $4 gas, U.S. Fit demand has skyrocketed with many customers finding themselves on a waitlist to buy the economical hatchback.

When the Fit first launched in the U.S., Honda planned for about 30,000 to 40,000 annual sales. Honda quickly realized demand was far stronger than expected and increased the Fit’s U.S. production to 60,000 units, which still didn’t meet demand.

Therefore, Honda is allotting 80,000 Fits for the U.S. market, starting when the new model hits the market in early October.

The biggest reason for the Fit deficit is strong worldwide demand. The Fit is only produced in Japan with a global capacity of 500,000 units. But Honda is currently looking for ways to increase Fit capacity. “We compete with the rest of the world for Fit production,” John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda, told Automotive News. “We’re continuing to try to increase capacity wherever we can from around the world to bring it in.”

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06/23, 1:09 PM

posted by:

acura_el2000

honda owns

06/23, 1:17 PM

posted by:

TomF

There’s a special limited-edition model coming that helps you maintain good gas mileage by shaking violently when you hit the gas. It’s called the Epileptic Fit.

Also its headlights roll up inside the fenders.

Thank you.

06/23, 1:22 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

LOL

06/23, 1:25 PM

posted by:

sj79

there is a simply solution: build it here. Since Toyota and Honda are so concerned about the US they should build every model they sell here in this country. You cant tell me there arent old BIg 3 plants sitting idle just waiting for Honda to purchase. Honda should stop making the Element and Ridgeline and focus on models like the Fit.

06/23, 1:27 PM

posted by:

xyunya

In the auto show Fit looked like car with dawn syndrome (compare to the original). However, when you think about engine of the same output as Mini and agility equal to mini, the looks can be forgiven.

06/23, 1:37 PM

posted by:

global_lightning

Honda is opening a new production facility in Indiana. No word yet on what they’ll build there. With the dollar weak against the Euro and Yen, the time is right for more automakers to take advantage of quality U.S. labor at relatively cheap prices.

06/23, 1:53 PM

posted by:

brassmonkey

Funny ****, TomF.
-
Also, why does LLN refer to “…$4 gas…” I’m just outside Sacramento, and gas is $4.65 for 87 octane! Shhheeeeeeeiiiiiiiiitttt!

06/23, 2:21 PM

posted by:

xyunya

I don’t think it makes sense to build Fit in US. It has smallish engine for US market and you have to ship everything in. All they can do is to screw it together in US. I think new plant in Indiana will be building Civics, Accords and CR-V, since they have common platforms.

06/23, 2:40 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

“All they can do is to screw it together in US” It’s all they do anyway…

06/23, 2:46 PM

posted by:

xyunya

Not true. Civics and Accords engines are build in Ohio. I am not sure about transmissions, but I believe they are also US made. Look on content number on car sticker. I think it is well over 80-90%. There is very little imported from Japan.

06/23, 2:53 PM

posted by:

shaver

My wife made this same threat to me yesterday.

06/23, 4:32 PM

posted by:

JoshyLofty

I guess hatchbacks DO sell over here afterall. YIPPIE! :)

06/23, 5:26 PM

posted by:

1c3d0g

ROFL…TomF…that was hilarious… :-P

06/23, 6:10 PM

posted by:

Bimmer

Car must be renamed DON’T Fit. I’m 6′5″ and I don’t fit in a Fit!

06/23, 6:43 PM

posted by:

injunraiv

Oh xy, you are soooooo misinformed. The domestic content of the Accord is: (drum rorr prease) 65% in 2007, 60% on 2008 (According to Cars.com) The Civic is even worse, coming in 5 percent lower. Honda’s overall percentage is 51%, compared to GMs 80%.

So much for the ‘American Made’ theory…

06/23, 6:49 PM

posted by:

ktulu

gas is 2 high, and the Fit is Rite place, Rite time.
Gas here is not $ yet.

06/23, 9:34 PM

posted by:

Get Real

Why isn’t the Cobolt or Focus selling like this ???
What happened to the Neon ????
Why do I so despair that US companies can’t sell.

06/23, 9:51 PM

posted by:

tripleonefive

Well Honda shouldnt HAVE to make **** here. Do not buy based on the badge -remember that Buy the best product and Honda and Toyota have just that and that is what american do and should buy
Until GM can PROVE they make reliable products then they shouldn’t be considered

06/23, 10:14 PM

posted by:

Veda

I just came back last night from the launching of the new Fit. It’s way way better than the current model sold in US. The interior and dashboard is practically from the Civic, they just make it smaller. The back seats can be folded all the way forward to make it flat all the way from the trunk to the front seats. The engine has been upgraded to a 1.5 i-VTEC. The RS version, which I’ve ordered 3 units, also came with paddle shifts and completely different bumpers as well. Too bad it doesn’t come in orange color…

06/24, 12:15 AM

posted by:

bigp

damn madza you vwill have to find room for all those fits when the 2 drops

06/24, 3:14 AM

posted by:

beatusmongous

1115, that is NOT what Americans should do. Americans should buy what they want for whatever reason they want, whether it be badge loyalty, comfort, reliability, power, domestic loyalty, whatever. They should do their homework and get what they want to get. Anymore, all of our domestics import most of their parts, and all of the imports have plants here in the U.S. No matter what you buy, you are giving your money to other people, and many of those people live in other countries. When you buy a car, your money goes to the carmaker executives, workers, RnD departments, dealers and salespeople, and a ton of it goes to your finance company. I’m sure I’m missing a few groups, but that’s not my point. Americans are not the only people buying cars in the world, even though we probably buy more than any other country. But that doesn’t mean we should choose one way or another to make a point. We should choose what we want for whatever reason we want. You choose Japanese, HRR chooses domestic, I choose a mix of things.

Honestly, if you really get down and look closely, all of the makers have good and bad vehicles, and the build quality of domestics is on par with the imports these days. However, America’s biggest problem is that we don’t export enough. We have a reputation of building huge beast vehicles that do nothing but make noise, go straight, break down and cost a fortune. This stereotype isn’t true anymore, but people watch crap on YouTube about stupid and fat Americans and that reputation just follows our cars around. Not only that, getting our cars to other countries means that the people there need to pay more for them, which they don’t want to do since the reputation proceeds them. Our carmakers need some kick@$$ innovation and ideas to get us out there. We need to take some risk.

But then, what can you expect from a country who’s biggest export is pornography?

06/24, 6:39 AM

posted by:

DeansterTJ

Apparently the American Focus is selling like crazy. I see them everywhere, which defies logic because for a tick more you can get the MAZDA3 which handles like hell, goes fast as hell, and has an incredible build, interior, style, and mileage.

 
 
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