What's happened to the Accord?

Tobster86

My colleague couldn't find the Accord anywhere on Honda's website and claimed that they don't seem to do them at the moment.

I went on to confirm this, and looking at several independent Honda dealer's websites, it seems that this is the case. You can't buy a brand new Accord at the moment.

(Clearly we're quite busy today).

According to Wikipedia they're still making them, and you can still get them in other countries. This leaves a big and unexplained hole in Honda's UK range that seems insane from a business perspective. It's the only Honda I could ever possibly find reasons to own.

What's going on?

LandyAndy

Maybe they've withdrawn it from the UK market because of poor sales?


You don't see many around at all. I've always thought they were expensive and poorly styled compared with some of their rivals.

wba31

I thought this might happen with the launch of the civic estate, it has more room for rear passengers and the boot is huge. Just a shame they havent put the 2.2 diesel engine in the civic estate for people who like to tow...

I have just found this report http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/honda/accord/89133/honda-accord-to-be-axed-in-2015-and-not-replaced

I love honda (I have had 3 and my wife 2) but getting to a point where i might have to go to another brand as they dont make big enough cars. Our friends in Chicago have an Odyssey which is a people carrier, awesome car, but for some reason Honda will not bring it to Europe... http://automobiles.honda.com/odyssey/

DominicH

I think demand for traditional saloon-style cars has fallen to the point that it's only so-called premium brands that sell. Honda never quite captured the badge-concscious market.
A lot of people seem to prefer chunkier "lifestyle" cars now. Even down at the supermini level, the likes of Renault can charge a premium of several thousand pounds for taking a Clio, raising the ride height and adding some body kit, and giving it a rugged-sounding name.

LandyAndy

I never understood why Honda thought it was worth several thousand pounds more than the equivalent (and better looking) Mazda6

Tobster86

LandyAndy wrote: »

I never understood why Honda thought it was worth several thousand pounds more than the equivalent (and better looking) Mazda6

Maybe now. The early 2000s 6 was a dreadful car and vastly inferior to the Accord of the time.

gilbert_and_sullivan

Honda abandoned their core mature loyal buyers, who previously bought quietly handsome but very high high quality cars and instead chased the young fickle market.
Last Accord was little short of ugly, they tried to out-steroid Mazda 6 with bulges and skirts etc and their loyal customers went elsewhere, as they do.

Honda have no one but themselves to blame, Toyota/Lexus are currently trying to make their cars even uglier chasing the fashionistas, that will end in tears too.

photome

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Honda abandoned their core mature loyal buyers, who previously bought quietly handsome but very high high quality cars and instead chased the young fickle market.
Last Accord was little short of ugly, they tried to out-steroid Mazda 6 with bulges and skirts etc and their loyal customers went elsewhere, as they do.

Honda have no one but themselves to blame, Toyota/Lexus are currently trying to make their cars even uglier chasing the fashionistas, that will end in tears too.

Glad I am not the only one who thinks that!
the new Lexus in particular are so ugly, Toyotas not quite so bad

motorguy

LandyAndy wrote: »

I never understood why Honda thought it was worth several thousand pounds more than the equivalent (and better looking) Mazda6

They tried to push it upmarket several years ago and be an all out competitor to the premium german stuff.

Didnt work - a good car but not a great one and people didnt pay the prices. Daft money for an Accord.

motorguy

Tobster86 wrote: »

Maybe now. The early 2000s 6 was a dreadful car and vastly inferior to the Accord of the time.

Yes. Now.

Not fifteen years ago. :rolleyes:

motorguy

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

Honda abandoned their core mature loyal buyers, who previously bought quietly handsome but very high high quality cars and instead chased the young fickle market.
Last Accord was little short of ugly, they tried to out-steroid Mazda 6 with bulges and skirts etc and their loyal customers went elsewhere, as they do.

Honda have no one but themselves to blame, Toyota/Lexus are currently trying to make their cars even uglier chasing the fashionistas, that will end in tears too.

I quite liked the most recent Accord. Thought it looked quite smart.

Interestingly, i dont think the dealer network help themselves. My BIL has driven Hondas for an easy 30 years and religiously changes his Accord every three years. Went to the local dealer here in Belfast and was ignored in the showroom by everyone for a full 20 mins. Hes quite a quiet bloke so he left to come back another day. Stopped to look at the new XF in the Jag dealers up the road and got talking to the salesman who went on to lent him one for the weekend. Went back on the monday and ordered a brand new one on the Monday.

Cant see him changing back to Honda now...