Honda’s achievement in selling over a million vehicles in the U.S. last year is remarkable, given that none of these were body-on-frame pickups or SUVs. The automaker has successfully filled this gap with rugged crossovers like the Passport TrailSport, which has proven popular among customers seeking vehicles with enhanced capabilities. However, a recent report from Automotive News suggests that Honda might be considering a shift in strategy by exploring production opportunities with Nissan that could result in body-on-frame models.
Nissan Collaboration: A Potential Turning Point for Honda
The potential collaboration between Honda and Nissan is intriguing, as it could open up new avenues for both automakers. While specifics are scarce, we know that Mitsubishi will soon introduce a Nissan-sourced pickup to the American market. This raises the possibility of Honda following suit with a pickup truck based on the upcoming Nissan Frontier or Pathfinder, or even a midsize SUV to compete with the likes of the Toyota 4Runner, utilizing the same platform as the new Nissan Xterra.
During a recent media roundtable, American Honda sales executive Lance Woelfer remained tight-lipped about the company’s future product plans. When asked about the potential for body-on-frame vehicles, Woelfer refrained from commenting on future products. However, he expressed enthusiasm about the next generation of the Honda Ridgeline, a pickup truck that has traditionally been built on unibody construction. Woelfer noted that the Ridgeline has been a strong seller, with approximately 45,000 units moving annually, and he anticipates that the next generation will continue to meet customer needs.
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Honda’s Silence Speaks Volumes About Potential Future Models
When queried about the Automotive News report, a Honda spokesperson offered a carefully worded response. They confirmed that the company has an existing memorandum of understanding with Nissan to explore partnership opportunities. However, the spokesperson emphasized that there is currently nothing to announce regarding new products. The spokesperson also dismissed the suggestion that the collaboration could yield body-on-frame models as purely speculative, indicating that Honda is still in the early stages of its exploration with Nissan.
The mere suggestion of body-on-frame vehicles from Honda has sparked considerable interest among automotive enthusiasts and industry observers alike. While Honda remains coy about its plans, the possibility of new body-on-frame models represents an exciting prospect for the automaker and its customers.
