Why was Bed storage deleted ??

That's awesome. I have the 88p... I need to do this.

 

Did you call and ask Toyota?

 

lol

 

There were no Factory Type 1 Beetles with a bed that I can recall or am I forgetting one?

 

Thanks!

It looks simple enough that I might not even screw it up.

 

Sorry! I was talking about the Microbus.



That's a truck, in my mind.

 

Yep the Type 2 trucks are pretty cool.

 

DAMMIT!

 

Yes.

 

Haitians just call any car or truck we could fit in a regular parking spot a "machin" (pronounced "machine"). Most of us here are probably using our trucks like cars >50% of the time anyway.

I haven't carried a spare tire for a decade, unless going offroad. Tire plug kits and those little 12v pumps are light and convenient.

 

I’m guess it was an easy way to reduce costs in order to partially compensate for the rising cost of steel and aluminum due to tariffs.

 

Phase it out of their lineup? I feel like with the ranger back and the possibility of ram bringing back the Dakota, too much competition for the ridgeline. If you’re in the market for a midsize truck your brain doesn’t go to Honda. Jmho

 

I don't disagree ... but they sold an estimated 33,000 Ridgelines last year so there is something going on. Honda is not a dumb company by any stretch. There has to be some kind of plan. It is also not the typical truck buyer. They are not in Tacoma sales territory and most likely never will be but it seems to me that there is some kind of vision or plan -- 33,000 is at least something to build on.

Update. Here is the new Honda CEO of the US talking about the Ridgeline:

"Despite its unibody construction instead of a traditional body-on-frame chassis like that of the Ford Ranger, the Ridgeline is extremely capable, but its somewhat softened exterior styling might be hiding that. Launched for 2017, the Ridgeline should also soon be receiving a midlife refresh which will hopefully bring the more "rugged" attitude Gardner mentioned"

I will dig up the whole article but it seems to be saying that the Ridgeline is a truck for Honda people ... which is interesting. They must have some customer data that make it makes sense for them.

 

It does look like the ultimate tailgating vehicle, so maybe your 9-5er who goes to concerts and football games who needs room for 4 adults, a cushy commuter, and a bed for all the tailgating equipment. But who am I joking with what’s going on in the world today who knows when we’ll be tailgating again!

 

I remember reading an article when the current Gen RL was coming out, believe it said the best year for sales was around 08 or 09 where they sold 50 - 60K. They set up everything up and had expectations to deliver that many again or it would be considered a bust, wouldn't surprise me if they phase it out when the current platform expires.

 

What’s mind blowing is how they aren’t dropping prices at the dealership. I thought since sales were so low I could snatch up a 2019 black edition for under 40k but basically got laughed out of the dealership

 

I would think they would do better if they used the same concept but on a smaller less expensive platform like a CRV.

 

Good point, the ridgeline is in the weird purgatory of not quite a midsize and nowhere near a fullsize “truck” similar to the DCLB Tacoma

 

Here is the whole article:
https://www.trucks.com/2019/12/13/honda-explains-truck-strategy-ridgeline-is-a-truck

I agree with you but it doesn't look like they are phasing it out ...

 

What is crazier is they won't budge. You are right. Look at this quote from the CEO of Honda (not the US but the HQ):

TOKYO -- U.S. sales of the Honda Ridgeline are a bit soft, but don't expect Honda to offer incentives.

"The market is rough because of all the discounts" in the pickup segment, Takeo Fukui, CEO of Honda Motor Co. told Automotive News in an interview. "Our Ridgeline appears to be more expensive, but we think it is reasonably priced."

Sales therefore are "lower than our expectation, but considering the current situation I think that has to be expected," he says.

A Honda spokesman says U. S. Ridgeline sales will "almost be at" the company's target next year of about 50,000 units.

"We won't introduce any incentives," Fukui says. "We'll adjust our production."

It is madness I say ... madness ...