Honda teases new American-built midsize pickup truck

Key Points:

• Honda confirmed a next-generation Ridgeline pickup truck will be produced in the U.S., with a temporary production stoppage planned later this year at its Alabama plant, and assembly expected to resume by 2028.
• The production pause is linked to the Ridgeline not meeting California emissions regulations, raising questions about the vehicle's future design and capabilities.
• Honda aims to enhance the Ridgeline's ruggedness and capability to attract a broader customer base, though it has not confirmed if the truck will shift to a traditional body-on-frame construction.
• Ridgeline sales have declined slightly by about 3% in the first half of the year, with annual sales ranging between 41,000 and 52,000 units since 2021, lagging behind competitors like the Toyota Tacoma.
• Meanwhile, Honda's CR-V compact crossover led U.S. auto sales in the first half of the year for the first time, benefiting from production issues faced by rivals such as Ford F-Series and Toyota RAV4.