Honda Plans to Roar Back in 2012

 New Accord Concept to be Unveiled at Detroit Auto Show

"We're baaack!" That's the message Honda executives want to convey to American consumers. Honda will be full-speed ahead in 2012 with new models, including revisions of its top three best sellers — the Honda Accord, Honda CR-V and Honda Civic.
"We want consumers to know we are back, and we are back in a big way," said John Mendel, Honda North America's executive vice president of auto sales, which include the Honda and Acura brands, in an interview with media and analysts in Detroit last month.
In 2011, Honda was battered more than any other automaker by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan that triggered worldwide production disruptions that led to vehicle shortages at U.S. dealerships. Mendel said dealers were operating with about 40 percent of their usual inventory during much of the year. But in 2012, Honda will be "full speed ahead." Production at Honda plants returned to 100 percent in November. The inventory pipeline is expected to be replenished to more "normal" levels by the end March. Honda's portfolio will include the recently revamped CR-V and Civic with a new Accord coming on in the fall. The trio of vehicles account for two-thirds of Honda's total U.S. sales.