More Midsize Truck News: Honda Ridgeline to Stay

Reports of your Honda Ridgeline‘s demise are actually greatly exaggerated, in accordance with Honda.

“Reports in the media that individuals have intends to discontinue the Ridgeline pick up truck are false. On the contrary, Ridgeline includes a significant role inside the Honda lineup, and it’s also likely to continue in the foreseeable future,” says Honda’s website. “Reports while in the media” could consider Automotive News’ annual “future products” industrywide analysis package, which noted that this Ridgeline could be discontinued in 2013. Sources “including a Honda insider” told AN that this manufacturer would axe today’s Ridgeline for just a pickup/lifestyle vehicle depending on the CR-V platform; based on Honda, that vehicle is no longer from the works.

Regardless of how much Honda hypes the Ridgeline’s importance included in the lineup, sales don’t lie. It sold 50,193 units inside U.S. in 2006; in 2011, sales are required to be about 10,000. The 2012 Ridgeline receives some refreshed styling cues and an added Sport trim level. Honda also says that is expected better fuel economy.

Rick Kranz from Automotive News, however, says Honda’s announcement ought to be taken using a touch of suspicion, reminding us that “the automaker is notoriously coy about its future product plans.” Also, there’s this from Kranz:

Two years before the launch of the CR-Z, Honda gave us a flat-out “no” when we asked if a sporty hybrid coupe was in the works.