Comments on: Honda shifts Ridgeline production to Alabama http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Fri, 10 Feb 2012 22:36:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jackjimturkey http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-367688 jackjimturkey Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:11:38 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-367688 R-Head: "They should just shift production into the toilet where these pseudo trucks belong." Beautiful! Comment by inspire: Be very wary of using auto awards as a benchmark for anything. the K-car,Civic and Camry all won Motor Trend's award. autonut: "Ridgeline was developed by former GM guy who was..." Fired for stupidity and moved to Honda. It's built with off the shelf components which limits its capabilities; at the very least it needs more torque and a heavier duty transmission. I'm sure if Honda want to build a challenger to the F-150, they could do so but it would require a complete redesign. bigp: "WELL THEY CANT BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING." They're good at everything with two wheels, and everything with four wheels smaller than a Fit. after that,they suck. (Though to be truthful, the new accord is acceptable). R-Head: “They should just shift production into the toilet where these pseudo trucks belong.”

Beautiful!

Comment by inspire: Be very wary of using auto awards as a benchmark for anything. the K-car,Civic and Camry all won Motor Trend’s award.

autonut: “Ridgeline was developed by former GM guy who was…” Fired for stupidity and moved to Honda.

It’s built with off the shelf components which limits its capabilities; at the very least it needs more torque and a heavier duty transmission. I’m sure if Honda want to build a challenger to the F-150, they could do so but it would require a complete redesign.

bigp: “WELL THEY CANT BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING.” They’re good at everything with two wheels, and everything with four wheels smaller than a Fit. after that,they suck. (Though to be truthful, the new accord is acceptable).

]]> By: johnnycanuck http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364822 johnnycanuck Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:56:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364822 I have to park next to one of these abortions everyday. Is there room for one more in Alabama? I have to park next to one of these abortions everyday. Is there room for one more in Alabama?

]]> By: TOZO http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364808 TOZO Thu, 13 Mar 2008 01:28:46 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364808 one-off is right, global. To Honda, I say... either completely redesign when switching production, or completely kill off. The latter might be smarter. one-off is right, global. To Honda, I say… either completely redesign when switching production, or completely kill off. The latter might be smarter.

]]> By: bigp http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364766 bigp Wed, 12 Mar 2008 23:58:06 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364766 WELL THEY CANT BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING WELL THEY CANT BE GOOD AT EVERYTHING

]]> By: sharpie http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364547 sharpie Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:11:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364547 inspire, read my post again! I never said I was an "expert" (Your word, not mine!) I only pointed out that those "expert" opinion does not always align with customers' expectations. In the Ridgeline's case, it does not. The Big3 is worried about who? Toyota, not Honda in terms of truck for good reasons. If I have to put my money on either the Big3 trying to market their bread and butter truck vs. you journalist "expert," I'll go with the Big3. inspire, read my post again! I never said I was an “expert” (Your word, not mine!) I only pointed out that those “expert” opinion does not always align with customers’ expectations. In the Ridgeline’s case, it does not. The Big3 is worried about who? Toyota, not Honda in terms of truck for good reasons. If I have to put my money on either the Big3 trying to market their bread and butter truck vs. you journalist “expert,” I’ll go with the Big3.

]]> By: global_lightning http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364495 global_lightning Wed, 12 Mar 2008 14:56:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364495 The Ridgeline was built to complement fans of Honda's offroad equipment. It was never meant as a heavy-duty work truck and Honda does not market it as such. It's built with off the shelf components which limits its capabilities; at the very least it needs more torque and a heavier duty transmission. I'm sure if Honda want to build a challenger to the F-150, they could do so but it would require a complete redesign. I think the Ridgeline is one of those notorious Honda 'one-offs' (like the NSX, S2000, and Insight) which filled a niche, is sold for +8 years without a redesign, and is discontinued without a replacement. The Ridgeline was built to complement fans of Honda’s offroad equipment. It was never meant as a heavy-duty work truck and Honda does not market it as such.
It’s built with off the shelf components which limits its capabilities; at the very least it needs more torque and a heavier duty transmission. I’m sure if Honda want to build a challenger to the F-150, they could do so but it would require a complete redesign.

I think the Ridgeline is one of those notorious Honda ‘one-offs’ (like the NSX, S2000, and Insight) which filled a niche, is sold for +8 years without a redesign, and is discontinued without a replacement.

]]> By: frylock350 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364474 frylock350 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:03:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364474 @GetReal, To quote the Simpsons *Homer steals a giant Emmy statue and Marge scolds him* Homer:"But I never win any awards" Marge: "You won a grammy" Homer: "I mean a REAL award" @autonut, I can definitely see the GM design in that truck. It looks like a baby Avalanche. Ridgeline's niche is the "I'm too pompous and 'sophisticated' to buy that redneck American truck and support my economy and that there Tundra is ugly" niche. The other problem with Ridgeline is that its not more efficient than the full-size pickups. A Silverado or Avalanche powered by the 5.3L is more efficient. They can also haul more, tow more, offroad more, and in the case of Avalanche have a far more luxurious interior. I am a truck guy and I do use mine to yank a fishing boat or ATVs around. Gross weight of boat on trailer is 4600lbs. I've towed it with my 5.3L Suburban and my friend has used his V6 Tacoma to pull it. My truck is just more stable and smooth with the boat hooked up to it. The Tacoma has the grunt to pull it, but it doesn't feel solid, the weight of the boat is far more noticeable. Full-size trucks are just better at it. @GetReal,

To quote the Simpsons
*Homer steals a giant Emmy statue and Marge scolds him*
Homer:”But I never win any awards”
Marge: “You won a grammy”
Homer: “I mean a REAL award”

@autonut,
I can definitely see the GM design in that truck. It looks like a baby Avalanche. Ridgeline’s niche is the “I’m too pompous and ‘sophisticated’ to buy that redneck American truck and support my economy and that there Tundra is ugly” niche. The other problem with Ridgeline is that its not more efficient than the full-size pickups. A Silverado or Avalanche powered by the 5.3L is more efficient. They can also haul more, tow more, offroad more, and in the case of Avalanche have a far more luxurious interior. I am a truck guy and I do use mine to yank a fishing boat or ATVs around. Gross weight of boat on trailer is 4600lbs. I’ve towed it with my 5.3L Suburban and my friend has used his V6 Tacoma to pull it. My truck is just more stable and smooth with the boat hooked up to it. The Tacoma has the grunt to pull it, but it doesn’t feel solid, the weight of the boat is far more noticeable. Full-size trucks are just better at it.

]]> By: Get Real http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364456 Get Real Wed, 12 Mar 2008 02:51:01 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364456 Truck of the Year.....Car of the Year. There are lots of loser cars that won awards from car shows and magazines. Nobody believes those awards anymore...unless you also belive in the Grammy's.... Truck of the Year…..Car of the Year.

There are lots of loser cars that won awards from car shows and magazines.

Nobody believes those awards anymore…unless you also belive in the Grammy’s….

]]> By: autonut http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364436 autonut Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:17:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364436 Ridgeline was developed by former GM guy who was fed up with politics at GM and moved to Honda. He was the head of GM truck design studio. Now we see a lot of elements of Ridgeline in GM sketches and even new Toyota prototype has a lot of from Ridgeline. I am not a truck guy and Ridgeline is not my cup of tea, but there was (before $4/gallon gas) a market for a truck that does not have to go 3 feet into a dirt and does not have to tow 8500 lbs. And my guess is that if you spend 50K for a vehicle you not going to dunk it in the mud every day and test how much it can tow. Ridgeline is in that niche. Contractors don't buy near luxury trucks, company owners and urban cowboys do. There is enough demand for it to allocate complete production line. Ridgeline was developed by former GM guy who was fed up with politics at GM and moved to Honda. He was the head of GM truck design studio. Now we see a lot of elements of Ridgeline in GM sketches and even new Toyota prototype has a lot of from Ridgeline. I am not a truck guy and Ridgeline is not my cup of tea, but there was (before $4/gallon gas) a market for a truck that does not have to go 3 feet into a dirt and does not have to tow 8500 lbs. And my guess is that if you spend 50K for a vehicle you not going to dunk it in the mud every day and test how much it can tow. Ridgeline is in that niche. Contractors don’t buy near luxury trucks, company owners and urban cowboys do. There is enough demand for it to allocate complete production line.

]]> By: jayjc08 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364434 jayjc08 Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:15:40 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364434 Inspire- A niche that is selling? Please, repeat that, with facts. In the segment it competes in, it's doing abysmal, let alone in the segment it's supposed to compete in. It's suspension was not made with large loads in mind. What makes me more of an expert is, I own a truck, and I know what I need for my work. Simply something reliable and economical. The Ridgeline is so far neither of those. And the capabilities of full sized contemporaries? I think a better comparison is "doesn't have any of the capabilities of a small sized pick up". Inspire- A niche that is selling? Please, repeat that, with facts. In the segment it competes in, it’s doing abysmal, let alone in the segment it’s supposed to compete in. It’s suspension was not made with large loads in mind. What makes me more of an expert is, I own a truck, and I know what I need for my work. Simply something reliable and economical. The Ridgeline is so far neither of those. And the capabilities of full sized contemporaries? I think a better comparison is “doesn’t have any of the capabilities of a small sized pick up”.

]]> By: inspire http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364425 inspire Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:37:28 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364425 ^ Remind me ... what makes you more an 'expert' about cars/trucks than the very journalists who feed us information about these vehicles? You may have a point about the Ridgeline not having some of the capabilities of the 'full sized' contemporaries, but it seems to have a niche that is selling. Who knows ... maybe in a few years the Big3 will have an answer to this to address CAFE concerns. ^ Remind me … what makes you more an ‘expert’ about cars/trucks than the very journalists who feed us information about these vehicles? You may have a point about the Ridgeline not having some of the capabilities of the ‘full sized’ contemporaries, but it seems to have a niche that is selling. Who knows … maybe in a few years the Big3 will have an answer to this to address CAFE concerns.

]]> By: sharpie http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364412 sharpie Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:19:49 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364412 inspire, journalist votes do not always align with public perception. When was the last time you heard Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota mentioning the Ridgeline as their rival? The Ridgeline is weak and just not up to the job. inspire, journalist votes do not always align with public perception. When was the last time you heard Ford, Chevy, Dodge and Toyota mentioning the Ridgeline as their rival? The Ridgeline is weak and just not up to the job.

]]> By: gbb http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364381 gbb Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:12:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364381 Shift it to India. Maybe those people will think it is a truck. Shift it to India. Maybe those people will think it is a truck.

]]> By: inspire http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364377 inspire Tue, 11 Mar 2008 22:06:43 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364377 Amazing at the people who post here. I can see why Honda is moving truck production to Alabama ... lower cost (US$1 = C$0.99) greater portion of trucks being bought in the US and probably excess capacity in that plant. If you're already making the Odyssey and Pilot there, why not the Ridgeline? And do people already forget the Ridgeline won Truck of the Year at the Detroit Autoshow? Last time I checked, it was American journalists who voted in that poll ... Amazing at the people who post here. I can see why Honda is moving truck production to Alabama … lower cost (US$1 = C$0.99) greater portion of trucks being bought in the US and probably excess capacity in that plant. If you’re already making the Odyssey and Pilot there, why not the Ridgeline?

And do people already forget the Ridgeline won Truck of the Year at the Detroit Autoshow? Last time I checked, it was American journalists who voted in that poll …

]]> By: jayjc08 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364373 jayjc08 Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:56:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364373 Ugly and weeny only begins to describe it... Ugly and weeny only begins to describe it…

]]> By: injunraiv http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364357 injunraiv Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:23:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364357 What has 480 legs and 23 teeth? The Ridgeline assembly line! What has 480 legs and 23 teeth?

The Ridgeline assembly line!

]]> By: RicardoHead http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364353 RicardoHead Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:06:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/honda-shifts-ridgeline-production-to-alabama.html#comment-364353 They should just shift production into the toilet where these pseudo trucks belong. They should just shift production into the toilet where these pseudo trucks belong.

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