The Fit-based Honda Urban SUV Concept didn’t debut with a lot of specifics but it does give us a pretty good hint of what the CR-V’s baby brother will look like when it arrives next year. The Urban SUV measures just 169.3 inches long and will be powered by an efficient Earth Dreams engine for exceptional fuel economy. Honda says it’ll also debut an advanced telematics system and that the production version will be built in a new plant in Mexico scheduled to open in early 2014. Based on this stylish hint, whatever it ends up being called, we can at least expect it to look good. Read more…
The “Perfect Size” Crossover Wants Its Sales Crown Back
Of all the vehicles in need of a redesign Honda’s CR-V isn’t one of them. The current generation of the entry-level crossover went on sale as a 2007 model and won the sales crown for its class every year through 2010, averaging about 200,000 sales per year. The streak would most likely be in place this year had Mother Nature not put on a shocking show of force first with the earthquake in Japan and then devastating floods in Thailand. Honda says it has lost more than 200,000 units of production for the U.S., including significant shortages of the ever-popular CR-V, which spelled an end to the little crossover’s sales reign. But despite the vehicle’s continued popularity anyone who knows Honda knows they plan five year lifecycles for their vehicles, which means we should see an all-new CR-V for 2012. And despite the aforementioned significant supplier and R&D interruptions, come December 15th, we will. After a day spent with the Honda team learning everything there is to know about the new CR-V one thing is clear: they want their sales crown back. Read more…
