"A complete lack of direction...."

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 9:37 pm

Richard Casto wrote:

I can't speak to the comments about subsidies, etc. I personally don't think that really is the issue here.

I don't know how much of Honda's analysis is saying that they were loosing sales due to the Korean scenario. Maybe they were/are. But I also suspect that a large percentage of long term Honda owners may not spend much time looking elsewhere (domestic, or otherwise) IF they continue to be happy with their current/next Honda. So as a long time Honda fan, I can easily see myself going to Honda and if I find something I like, not even really looking elsewhere. There are plenty of people who are on their Nth Honda and are looking for the next car to be Honda N+1. But if you show up at the dealership and you are not happy with what you find, or hear lots of negative buzz about Honda then you are not just turning customers off, but you are breaking long term product loyalty. Today's happy Honda owner may be tomorrows happy Hyundai owner. And not because Hyundai built a better mousetrap, but because Honda stopped making a good one.

Richard

I don't really get what you're trying to say, other than that Honda is the greatest company ever and they lost their way on their own? If so, I think you need to visit some other dealerships and see what the rest of the industry has been doing while Honda has been coasting on its reputation.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:36 pm

"the greatest company ever"

wouldn't that be Ford?

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:45 pm

steve remchak wrote:

"the greatest company ever"

wouldn't that be Ford?

No,it's apple. They just haven't made the iCar yet.

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Have you guys seen the new Impreza?

There's no barf emoticon here, but I'll leave you to your own imagination. (looks like one of those GM branded Daewoos)

clinehall · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 7:26 am

Ryan Holton wrote:

Honda missed the target by not putting a real motor in the CR-Z, with the puny Hybrid that doesn't really get great mileage its the CR-Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I agree, everytime I see one (which isn't often) I think "that's cool" then a millisecond later think "'Oh yeah, hybrid screw it. "

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:00 am

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Have you guys seen the new Impreza?

There's no barf emoticon here, but I'll leave you to your own imagination. (looks like one of those GM branded Daewoos)

Dude, you just bought a Mazda2. Styling is not a strong point with you :wink:

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:29 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

I can't speak to the comments about subsidies, etc. I personally don't think that really is the issue here.

I don't know how much of Honda's analysis is saying that they were loosing sales due to the Korean scenario. Maybe they were/are. But I also suspect that a large percentage of long term Honda owners may not spend much time looking elsewhere (domestic, or otherwise) IF they continue to be happy with their current/next Honda. So as a long time Honda fan, I can easily see myself going to Honda and if I find something I like, not even really looking elsewhere. There are plenty of people who are on their Nth Honda and are looking for the next car to be Honda N+1. But if you show up at the dealership and you are not happy with what you find, or hear lots of negative buzz about Honda then you are not just turning customers off, but you are breaking long term product loyalty. Today's happy Honda owner may be tomorrows happy Hyundai owner. And not because Hyundai built a better mousetrap, but because Honda stopped making a good one.

Richard

I don't really get what you're trying to say, other than that Honda is the greatest company ever and they lost their way on their own? If so, I think you need to visit some other dealerships and see what the rest of the industry has been doing while Honda has been coasting on its reputation.

Yeah, you totally didn't get what I am saying. I have two automotive marques that I am a particular fan of and that is Honda and Porsche. Even then, I am no were near the top of the "rabid fan" chart as many people (including some here). I don't think they are in fallible. If anything my fond memories are of the companies of old and not of today. Porsche is now owned by VW and is building SUVs and Crossovers. And I am pretty sure that there are few cars in Honda's 2012 lineup that I would consider driving today. So I can't imagine anywhere in my post that I said "Honda is the greatest company ever" or anything anywhere close to that?

And if anything I absolutely agree that Honda has been coasting on it's reputation. And I think I am not being biased here, but I will say that Honda had (has?) a HUGE reputation based upon past performance which they absolutely deserve! My point is that Honda could have continued making just "good" cars that were at or near the top and the faithful would continue to come and buy and kudos to them for being in that position. And that to some degree (not an absolute truth) as long as Honda continued to do a good job, many customers (stupid as it may be) would not even do much if any cross shopping. But Honda is working hard to break that hard won bond. That is what I was trying to say.

I agree that the rest of the industry has been catching up for years and is either equal to, or in a few cases better than Honda. The question is if this is a "stumble" or a "fall" for Honda. I personally think this is a "stumble" and don't believe that they are going to be eaten alive by newer companies (i.e. Koreans) that are playing in the niche that they used to occupy. And as good as domestic is these days (and I am happy for that), they are capable enough to compete with them as well. I think they just need to focus on building a better product and things will work out for them.

Richard

Ryan Holton · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:53 am

[quote="Karl Shultzit's as though they've lost any sense of direction.[/quote]

No, they have direction, they are following the direction of Toyota, off the cliff into the pit of Blah and Mehh.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Fri Mar 02, 2012 11:28 pm

Ryan Holton wrote:

[quote="Karl Shultzit's as though they've lost any sense of direction.

No, they have direction, they are following the direction of Toyota, off the cliff into the pit of Blah and Mehh.[/quote]

but blah and Mehh sell to Americans. We have never been fans of cutting edge style or something different. We want to buy something that everyone else has and has validated our choice and is the biggest effin' vehicle because safety is really important to us. (This in spite of the fact that as the soccer mom is driving her 6000lb SUV she is doing her makeup, jabbering on the phone, and generally not paying attention) OK and to be non-sexist the guy who is smoking and jabbering while wandering lanes.

My point is that as a populace a Blahy, Mehhy car that is an appliance sells. (See Camry,Accord,Pilot, Oddity, Corolla etc)

When the economy picks up, people will go back to spending a few extra bucks on the Accord over the Hyundai (It's easier to spell too)

Andrew Jonell · **Joined:** Mon Mar 23, 2009 6:43 pm **Posts:** 1350

Steven Carter wrote:

Andrew Jonell wrote:

Have you guys seen the new Impreza?

There's no barf emoticon here, but I'll leave you to your own imagination. (looks like one of those GM branded Daewoos)

Dude, you just bought a Mazda2. Styling is not a strong point with you :wink:

A 7/8 scale Mazda3 doesn't look bad.

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"A complete lack of direction...."

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