Honda announced on Monday that it will be selling its all-new 2009 Pilot in Russia. In previous years, the Pilot was only available in Russia through the gray market — that is purchased in other markets and then brought into Russia. Russian-bound Pilots will still be produced at Honda’s Alabama production facility.
But Honda doesn’t expect Russia to be a huge market for the Pilots, with only 3,245 units slated for the Russian market this year. But according to Automotive News, that number should climb to 4,650 by 2011. The first Pilots will be shipped to Russia by this fall.
Honda engineers didn’t have to tweak the Pilot much for Russian consumptions, with the only changes being the addition of headlight washers, rear heated seats and reflectors on the rear bumper.
Russian-bound Pilots will also get different corrosion protection — to guard against chemicals used to melt snow — but will still be powered by a 3.5L V6.
As with the previous-generation Pilot, the new SUV will also be sold in Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and Latin and South America.
