Honda is hanging in there for 2018 thanks to a strong truck lineup and signs of life over at Acura.
American Honda reported their sales numbers for September earlier yesterday (Oct 2, 2018) and although overall sales for 2018 lag behind 2017 numbers by more than two percent, signs of life over at Acura bode well for Honda’s profitability in the long run. Additionally, Honda was eager to point out that their ILX goes on sale later this month, a clear and official signal, in my opinion, that you should jump (nay…dive) into a lease deal for a 2018 Acura ILX, if you can, ASAP.
First, there’s Honda’s strong “truck” division at the moment.
I say “truck” because, in today’s American vernacular, truck still means ladder frame, which Honda has none, but I digress.
The biggest movers for Honda was from the Honda CR-V with 30,587 CR-Vs sold, a two percent increase month over month compared to 2017 but still -1.2 percent overall compared to last year.
Surprisingly, Honda Pilot was a big mover with a daily sales rate change of +56.2 percent change and a huge jump of +42 percent change overall when compared to last year. With practically the same engine as the previous generation, Honda buyers clearly are taken with this smoother and rounder looking Pilot.
As far as the future is concerned in alternative energies that aren’t gas, Honda did manage to move just 2000 Clarity plug-in hybrids and 1,844 Honda Insights, which is small pickings compared to its rival, the Toyota Prius, but is essentially a differently styled Honda Civic with a small electric motor and battery pack. So, while sales are small, it’s a lot of profit thanks to minimal R&D.
Cars, in general for Honda and everyone else, are declining. Don’t even look at the numbers, it’s so bad but, so far for 2018 Civic is ten percent fewer sales overall compared to 2017 and it’s even worse for Accord at 14 percent fewer sales. The Acura TLX isn’t doing better at 13.6 percent fewer sales for 2018.
Whoever planned for this car-pocalypse in Honda by bolstering their truck lineup, give that man a raise.
Finally, Acura has a new pentagon grill front end on its entire lineup with the ILX rounding out the mix, and, thanks to strong incentive deals, Acura still managed to push out 930 ILXs, not near enough sales for my tastes.
The refreshed 2019 ILX completes the first phase of the Acura brand design transformation with all core models sporting the signature Diamond Pentagon Grille and an A-Spec model.
If you’re looking for a small, premium sedan to lease now, it would behoove you to look at this current generation ILX, nevermind the new one coming. This current generation ILX has the same engine and powertrain as the 2019 Acura ILX although looks leave much to be desired and it reminds me too much of the 9th generation Civic which it’s based.
If you want to lease one, jump on a lease deal ASAP. Currently, Acura has a $199 month for 36 month deal on the ILX with just $2,500 due at signing. This deal’s only good if you have perfect credit. One point below perfect and Acura WILL slap you with a bigger bill.
That being said, I’m curious to see how well the fresh-faced ILX sells and if this truck trend continues. My Civic loving heart can’t take it anymore.
