Filed under: Economy, Green, Japan, Honda
Honda considering offering JDM models in the U.S.
Much attention has been paid to Ford's decision to bring six Euro Fords over to the States, but the Blue Oval isn't the only automaker that has good looking, fuel efficient vehicles overseas. Honda has a variety of petrol-sipping vehicles in its Japanese home market, and is now studying whether those are worth selling here in the U.S. The Japan-to-U.S. formula has already worked well with the stylish, sporty and efficient Fit, sales of which are up 73% this year. While the Fit has been sold in the U.S. since 2006, it has also been available in almost identical trim in Japan since 2001.
So Honda is considering offering its JDM Odyssey and compact Stream wagon (above) for the U.S., which would give the brand some wagon-like choices in its lineup. For now Honda is trying not to deviate from its long-term plans, but if the gas-drag on the U.S. market persists, bringing JDM models to market here is a no-brainer if they don't require a ton of investment to meet U.S. emissions and safety standards. As you might expect, we're all for this plan. While they're at it, we'll take the JDM Civic Type-R, too.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
RG 10:32AM (8/07/2008)
I think I am going to file this under: "Duh."
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Xcountryflyer 1:11PM (8/07/2008)
With the push toward smaller fuel efficient cars, it makes sense now they they have bloated the Accord and sales of the Ridgeline and Pilot are shaky. I am sure it is to also help their CAFE numbers.
catgirlshyla 5:12AM (8/08/2008)
Make mine a Honda Today....erm, Life.
tanooki2003 10:33AM (8/07/2008)
If they do decide to do this please bring over the Euro Civic. I like to see some more futuristic looking cars offered here to finally offset the vast numbers of appliance type vehicles, plus more competition means better choices for the consumer.
Hopefully Mitsubishi will do the same and bring my all time favorite Triton/L200 pickup.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:29AM (8/07/2008)
They killed the RSX (2-door Euro Accord) here because it wasn't selling. I really wonder if an even smaller but equally expensive car like the European Civic would do any better.
tankd0g 12:25PM (8/07/2008)
Please don't bring over the heavier, slower Euro civic unless they plan to put our Si suspension under it.
SLVR6 12:44PM (8/07/2008)
whynotls2ls7 - Umm, get your facts straight man! RSX was a variation of the Civic platform (formerly Integra), the TSX is the Euro Accord with a badge change.
why not the LS2LS7? 1:25PM (8/07/2008)
SLVR6:
You're dead right. Someone already pointed out my error on another page (an apparent mis-click).
I would point out though that the TSX is also an ex-Integra, the 4-door Integra.
I still don't think bringing the very expensive Euro Civic here makes sense.
matt 4:51PM (8/07/2008)
want a euro civic? drive a fit and tell me how sporty that is. independent suspension on all fours is a MUST. plus, as a Mugen Si owner I can say that the wing in the middle of the rear window can get quite annoying when looking through the rearview... of course, in the heavy, slow euro civic you wouldn't really be passing too many people to look at in your rearview anyway.
awlin 10:37AM (8/07/2008)
bring the stream! it makes so much sense!
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chrisdavis 1:35PM (8/07/2008)
I agree, but I fear they'd de-style it for our market first.
Adam 2:21PM (8/07/2008)
Yeah seriously, the Stream and the JDM Odyssey are so sick that I'd be a bit less mad at those minivan drivers who try to pass my bike at 100mph
Daniel 10:40AM (8/07/2008)
JDM Civic FTW
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tankd0g 12:25PM (8/07/2008)
The JDM Civic is the one that's on sale here now.
Daniel 12:49PM (8/07/2008)
Okay, JDM/CDM body panels for the win!
Westside T.O. 1:32AM (8/08/2008)
It's only CDM Acura CSX panels. Our Civic is the USDM one.
cxvargas 10:42AM (8/07/2008)
What about the Euro civic and the Euro Accord wagon which are ready to be sold here.
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masarak 10:51AM (8/07/2008)
Euro Accord wagon with 52mpg 2.2L clean diesel.
Josiah 10:43AM (8/07/2008)
So no one is asking how this 'JDM Odyssey' will slot into the lineup? Is it replacing the US spec or as something different (Acura perhaps?)
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Red 10:56AM (8/07/2008)
If I'm not mistaken the Stream sits between the Civic and Accord, but the JDM Odyssey, IIRC, is a little larger than the Accord in its length and width. However, it is still smaller than the USDM Odyssey.
And for the record, there have been several Streams in the US for the past year. In fact, there's one in particular out in LA that I'm surprised nobody's seen driving around on occasion. So there's nothing particularly new here, but Honda themselves need to hurry the hell up with these models. While they're at it, we'll take a Freed too. :)