Ridgeline to Debut at NAIAS, Acura Prices NSX From $156,000

DETROIT – The public will get the long-awaited look at the second generation of Honda’s Ridgeline when the midsize pickup debuts next month at the 2016 North American International Auto Show, the automaker says here at its annual holiday media party.

The Ridgeline, the only unibody pickup in a segment that includes the body-on-frame new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon twins, as well as the new Toyota Tacoma, also will be promoted in a commercial during the 50^th NFL Super Bowl Feb. 7 in Santa Clara, CA.

The first-generation Ridgeline debuted in the U.S. in 2005 and saw mild initial success, selling 50,193 units in the U.S. in 2006.

As sales slipped in subsequent years, Honda ceased production of the truck in September 2014.

WardsAuto data shows there were 14 Ridgelines in inventory at the end of November. Sales through November tallied 518, down 96.0% from the same period year-ago.

Honda earlier said the brawny styling of the original model was a turnoff to buyers, so the sheetmetal of the new generation will be softer and more in line with the competition.

The new Ridgeline goes on sale in the U.S. in the first half of 2016.

Meanwhile, Acura also announces its NAIAS debut will be a concept sedan showcasing what it says is a new design direction for its cars.

Jon Ikeda, Acura’s new general manager, says the Acura Precision Concept will have “unmistakable striking proportion and attitude,” reflective of the brand’s performance attributes.

Acura wants to boost its car sales to the level of its light trucks.

Acura car sales, while up 21.2% through November thanks to gains by the year-old TLX, are roughly 35,000 units shy of the 98,040 RDX and MDX CUVs the brand has sold.

Acura divulges further details, unrelated to NAIAS, of its sales plan for the ’17 NSX, including the supercar’s price.

The NSX will begin at $156,000 when it goes on sale to regular retail customers in the spring. Fully loaded the car will cost $206,000, Ikeda says. An online configurator for the NSX goes live Feb. 25 at acura.com, where customers can choose between eight exterior and four interior colors, as well as three wheel designs and carbon-fiber features, including a roof and interior sport package.

Getting the first shot at the NSX will be attendees and participants in next month’s Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale, AZ, which Acura is sponsoring.

Proceeds from the sold car, VIN 001, will go to two charities, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and Camp Southern Ground.

Acura sales through November were up 6.9% to 160,342 and Ikeda says the brand is headed for its fourth-straight annual increase.

Honda expects to see its best year ever in the U.S., says brand General Manager Jeff Conrad. WardsAuto data shows the Honda brand’s best year was last year, when it sold 1.37 million units.

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