[Homer]

Honda reports sales of 1,848 Passports in February.

https://hondanews.com/acura-automobiles/releases/acura-sales-climb-11-as-american-honda-posts-strong-february-results

 

[bhertz82]

Guilty.

 

[dtom]

I would think that is reasonable with the intial headwinds. Low inventory levels limiting choices available. Dealers sticking to MSRP. Little issue with the recall. I would think it will do well over the next few months.

 

[407guy]

Yeah, it'll be interesting to see the next couple of months. A bit surprise the Ridgeline outsold the Passport in February.

 

[stevenD]

What jumps out at me is that Feb-18 sales were down 1,662 vehicles-sold compared to Feb-18.

And as I read elsewhere, Honda's Fiscal Year ends March 31 and they are down 921 sales compared to last Fiscal year at this time.

Hey Honda! Wanna sell 921 more Passports? LOWER THE PRICE!

 

[Scooter Dude]

Guilty too lol

 

[stevenD]

Here's another thought: I recall reading somewhere that Honda was expecting on selling 44,000 Passports per year (is that right or was it 45k?) Anyway, if you divide 44k by 12 (months), that means they were targeting sales of 3,666 PER MONTH and the 1,848 is nearly 50% LESS that expectations, which is REALLY bad, considering sales should start out high and taper off for a vehicle that lots of people really want.

It would seem that the dealers who are holding out for Max. MSRP are effectively killing Honda's sales goals, while putting an extra $3 grand in their pockets...

 

[Homer]

Here's another thought: I recall reading somewhere that Honda was expecting on selling 44,000 Passports per year (is that right or was it 45k?) Anyway, if you divide 44k by 12 (months), that means they were targeting sales of 3,666 PER MONTH and the 1,848 is nearly 50% LESS that expectations, which is REALLY bad, considering sales should start out high and taper off for a vehicle that lots of people really want.

It would seem that the dealers who are holding out for Max. MSRP are effectively killing Honda's sales goals, while putting an extra $3 grand in their pockets...

I didn't hear about the Passport until I got an e-mail a week before launch and I still have not seen any national TV ads (although there may well be some airing).

I think that "most" new car models start out slowly and build, unless there is some compelling reason to buy or niche that it fills. If the sales forecast is for 44-45K units in 2019, monthly sales are probably projected to build over the course of the year. Part of the increase in demand may be due to people actually seeing the Passport on the road and deciding its worth a look. For all we know, Honda may have actually exceeded their sales forecast for the Passport for February.

Also, technically the Passport was not on sale until 2/4, missing the first full weekend (although there were some early sales, even going back to January.)

Anyway, these are just some of my additional thoughts. I would not say things are really bad after just one month of sales, but we'll see what happens as time passes.

 

[ASIMO]

I doubt a car company would publicize exactly how many units they expected to sell in the first year. But back during the reveal, they were telling the auto press that they were losing 35,000 buyers to other brands because they didn't have a midsize SUV offering. Then there was some speculation on this forum that dealers weren't coming down off MSRP (in the first week of sales, no less) because Honda was limiting production. Who really knows what the production and sales targets are?

But since Honda sets the MSRP, it's not like the dealers selling at that price can be held responsible for hurting Honda's sales goals. I think we'll see increased sales throughout the year. The next two months' sales will reveal a lot.

 

[ben]

so, I am reading here and hearing that Passports are going for no less than MSRP-including add-ons. It that about right? Want to buy one but am in no rush. Maybe April will be a better month to buy. Any ideas? B

 

[bhertz82]

Heck, April of 2020 will be even BETTER!! Why rush into things?

 

[KenA]

Anyway, if you divide 44k by 12 (months), that means they were targeting sales of 3,666 PER MONTH and the 1,848 is nearly 50% LESS that expectations

They weren't even on the lot at my dealership until the 16th. Some places got them sooner but I don't think it's really fair to call it a "month" of sales when at least in my area they were only even available for 2 weeks in Feb.

 

[GlennW]

The stats noted are U.S. only, the Passport north of the border in Canada did not get released to dealers until March 15th. Many dealers in Ontario are sold out and awaiting further inventory.

 

[fadyonline]

Many dealers in Ontario are sold out and awaiting further inventory.

I disagree. All dealers in Toronto still have their inventory.

 

[GlennW]

Actually, Fady is right, although a few dealers in my area ran out of the 2 or 3 that they initially had last week, this week that same dealer is listing 6 more Tourings, so it seems they do have inventory...

 

[fadyonline]

I am actually tracking their sales. They sold 4 in Toronto in the last two weeks and one in Ottawa. This is just the dealers that list their inventories online.

 

[GlennW]

Wow, i had phoned Whitby Honda right before i picked up the one that another dealer ordered for me, to do my due diligence, and they said they had none as both of the 2 they had, had been sold. My dealer sold another one as well. Thanks for clarifing that!

 

[KenA]

The online stock statuses aren't always accurate and can lag behind actual dealer inventory. My local had 10 listed in stock before they were even on the lot, and one listed as in-stock 2 weeks after it had sold.