I feel the opposite, theyre not going make an announcement that production is ending unless they do a special edition. I feel like we're getting a little late to do a special ed.
I agree. What motive does Honda have to build anticipation? With Tariffs and increased regulations, profitability is marginal at best with the type R. They are shifting their focus to more profitable models like the prelude, regular civic, etc. It seems unbelievable that this run of FL5s will end, but companies like Honda have survived because of their ability to adapt to the world (i.e regulations, costs, margin, etc). Let’s revisit my comment in 3 months.
If the plan was to hitch their cart to the Prelude they've drastically miscalculated. That car will be far from profitable and definitely low volume based on the pricing details in speculation.
I don’t know what their strategic plan as a company is moving forward. I’m sure they have an entire room of overpaid strategic analysts deciding how to move forward. They make cars for the everyday people. The prelude is just one of their models, as well as the civic (hybrid, base model, sedan, HB, etc).
In Honda's own marketing, they've said that the car is meant to be a "cruiser" not a race car or a Type R like car. The media comparisons to the GR86 and the like is pointless. I also think that it's also their attempt to get the attention of older/previous Prelude owners.
They're not hitching their cart to the Prelude, it just fills a void that Honda customers have been requesting ever since they ended production of the Accord and Civic coupes. Honda hitches its cart on its SUVs particularly the HRV and CRV.
The problem is the same as it always was with the Prelude. The void is / was very small, and the pricing for the new one pushes it into a class it can't compete with. Nostalgic buyers will buy, but at nearly $50k I question Honda's overall strategy with it.
Everything is $50k nowadays, i agree it should be less but that's probably the price it has to be at to justify its existence. At least the powertrain is subsidized by all the other hybrid models available. I actually think the Prelude will be a great touring car but not a great enthusiast oriented car.
If you consider Australia as "Asia"
There are 48 countries that can be considered part of Asia. AU is not one of them.
