Hondas are hot this year. The company’s sales are up by nearly 5% over last year, and it had its best third-quarter sales since 2019. Arguably its biggest success this year has been the CR-V. It’s up by nearly 10% this year, and it’s almost guaranteed to become America’s bestselling vehicle other than the whole Ford F-Series line. Some of that is due to the CR-V staying popular, but also because Toyota fumbled the new RAV4’s launch.
Honda also seems keen to ensure it doesn’t lose any ground, as Automotive News reports the company is delaying production of the next-generation model.
2026 Honda CR-V Hybrid TrailSport front 3/4 angle while driving off-roadHonda
It Won’t Be A Huge Delay
Automotive News spoke to an anonymous source who said that the production of the next CR-V has been pushed back three months to April of next year. The outlet didn’t specify whether that delay is overall, or just for specific plants. Honda builds CR-Vs both at its factory in Indiana, and at one in Ontario, Canada.
According to a previous report, production was expected to start first in Canada around February, followed by the Indiana plant a few months later. The April start date would seem to suggest the delay affects the Canada plant, but also that US production may come online even later. We’ve also reached out to Honda for independent confirmation of the delay, but haven’t received a reply at the time of publishing. We’ll update this story when we hear back from Honda.
Either way, it’s not a massive delay. The new model will likely still hit dealer lots well before the end of 2027. It might not even affect when Honda shows the world the new CR-V, which we still think could happen by the end of this year.
2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid front 3/4Honda
Automotive News also reported that Honda has changed production plans for the next-generation Honda Civic sedan. It was supposed to be added to the Indiana production line alongside the hatchback, but apparently that plan has been scrapped. The current sedan is built on another line at the Ontario plant.
Why Is Honda Changing Its Production Plans?
The main reason that we can see for Honda delaying the next CR-V is because the model is so hot right now. Inventory levels are low right now, as noted by Automotive News. That, along with fantastic sales, is a great sign as far as demand goes, but only for as long as Honda can meet it. All of this demand is also for the current generation, and as long as demand is high for that, Honda likely doesn’t want to risk missing out on some strong months of current-generation sales to switch over to the new one.
We also wouldn’t be surprised if Honda wants to be extra sure that it can start production of the new model smoothly. Toyota struggled to get production of the latest RAV4 up to speed this year. That snag effectively gave the sales crown to Honda. Other small SUVs have also been selling well this year, something that Toyota should’ve been able to capitalize on if it could’ve sent new RAV4s to lots.
2025-2026 Honda Civic Sport TouringHonda
Furthermore, the Civic production change could also be related to the CR-V. As we’ve mentioned, Honda builds both the Civic hatchback and CR-V in Indiana. It would make sense for Honda to skip adding another body style to the Indiana factory in order to focus on CR-V production, either to make sure it continues to run smoothly, or even to add CR-V production volume. For reference, Honda has seen a bigger increase in both volume and percentage of the CR-V than the Civic this year.
What’s Known About The Next CR-V?
Besides the fact that it will probably be revealed in the next few months, we know that the next-generation model will be a big change. Honda has developed an entirely new platform, which will also show up in future Civic and Accord generations, that promises significant weight savings and improved refinement. It will still offer a four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, but it will be more efficient thanks to direct fuel injection and new motors.
Honda next-gen midsize platform architectureHonda
CarBuzz Insight – Why This Matters:
Toyota handed Honda an amazing opportunity, and Honda seems to know it. It seems to us that it’s making sure it makes the most of the popularity of the current generation, and is buying time to make sure it can get the next one out with no issues.
Toyota does seem to be getting RAV4 production and sales back on track, but Honda is surely going to do everything it can to stay a step ahead of its rival.
Source: Automotive News
