Honda is planning to pause Ridgeline production for about 18 months, adding to a growing list of product plan changes for the automaker.
The details: According to Car and Driver, the Ridgeline no longer meets upcoming emissions regulations, forcing Honda to temporarily halt production of the pickup.
The exact source of the emissions issue remains unclear, though speculation points to the truck’s aging SOHC V-6 engine.
In the meantime, Honda is preparing a refreshed Ridgeline expected to go on sale in late 2028.
A next-generation Ridgeline is reportedly not expected until the early 2030s, according to Car and Driver.
What they’re saying: "[The] Ridgeline remains an important model in our lineup and one of our top conquest models with unique appeal within the industry pickup segment,” a Honda spokesperson told Car and Driver. “The Ridgeline will continue to play an important role in our product lineup now and in the future."
Why it matters: Production pauses and delayed redesigns can create uncertainty for dealers around inventory planning, product freshness, and customer retention, particularly in competitive segments like pickups, where buyers have numerous alternatives.
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Between the lines: The Ridgeline pause is the latest in a series of reported Honda product timeline changes tied to a supplier memo, according to Car and Driver.
The Odyssey minivan, unchanged since 2018, is now not expected to reach its next generation until March 2030.
The Accord, Honda’s third-best-selling vehicle, entered its 11th generation in 2023 but reportedly will not be redesigned again until at least early 2030.
Acura has extended Integra production by three years to March 2032, with no successor referenced in the memo.
The next-generation Acura MDX, the brand’s best-selling model, is now reportedly not expected before early 2031, when the SUV will be nearly a decade old.
Bottom line: Honda appears to be stretching product timelines as it navigates emissions, development, and broader market pressures, potentially putting more pressure on dealers to maintain customer interest around aging nameplates as refresh cycles lengthen.
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