Honda Increasing Ridgeline Pickup Truck Production to Meet Demand

Innovative Cargo Bed Trunk and Swing-Out Tailgate Put Ridgeline into Class of One

Few outside of Hondas inner circle could have predicted the popular Japanese brands new Ridgeline pickup truck would experience such a warm reception, but sales are exceeding expectations forcing the automaker to increase production at its Canadian plant.

Initially, Honda of Canada Manufacturing was to produce 53,000 units for its fiscal year of 2006, divided into 3,000 for Canada, a market which sells far fewer midsize pickup trucks per capita than the U.S., which would take 50,000 in total. Now, the Japanese automaker has increased its daily input of its new Ridgelines, according to a report released by the Specialty Equipment Manufacturing Association, the automaker is on target to produce 80,000 pickup trucks annually.

The unique truck seems to be carving out a niche among buyers who either wouldnt normally buy into the light truck segment or are looking for something more from the pickups they already own.

What does the Ridgeline offer that conventional pickups dont? First and foremost is a higher level of refinement, from the engineering of its drivetrain, integrated frame and unibody construction and fully-independent suspension components, to its spacious, yet car-like interior.

Its even different from a utility perspective, being the first truck to offer a trunk under the cargo bed, a swing-out or drop down tailgate, and more.

Expected reliability is also extremely high, just because a Honda badge is affixed to the front grille, and whats more, the Ridgeline is the first four-door pickup to earn the U.S. governments highest crash test rating for frontal and side-impact crashes.

The Ridgeline was never expected to put fear in the eyes of Ford F-150 sales executives, but its useful innovation and mixture of car-like driving dynamics and tough-truck towing and hauling capabilities give it street cred. No wonder its seeing better than expected sales.