USA - Sales for the first quarter of 2017 have taken a nose dive in the USA, but the top models remain the same.

• SUVs, Pickups increase their share of total market while cars continue to slide
• Ford’s F-Series trucks maintain their top selling position; Toyota Camry is best-selling car
• Volkswagen beginning to recover from effects of diesel crisis

Vehicle sales for the first quarter of 2017 fell 1.9% over the same period in 2016. Analysts had predicted a small increase for March sales but saw a decline despite reported high incentives spending. SUVs and Pickup Trucks continue to gain market share, with Honda’s 4.3% increase in share driven by sales from the CR-V and returning Ridgeline, which as re-entered the market after a two model year hiatus.

Once again, the top three best selling vehicles in the United States are the Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Ram Pickup. Ford’s F-Series line of trucks continues as the best-selling vehicle overall, selling 205,281 units in the first quarter of 2017, up from 186,121 units during the same time period in 2016.

Gaining ground on the top three is the forth best-selling vehicle and the best-selling SUV, Nissan Rogue, selling 100,000 units in the quarter in sales for the first time. Toyota Camry remained the best selling car, despite declining sales (83,459 units vs. 96,244 units), followed closely by the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla (81,654 and 76,086 units respectively).

After years of declining sales, Volkswagen looks they might have turned the tide, increasing their sales by almost 7,000 units when compared to the same time period last year (76,293 vs, 69,316 units). These gains were largely driven by increased Golf family sales, which were up 48.2% for the quarter. VW has posted four consecutive monthly sales increases and will be introducing the Atlas full-sized SUV soon which should help it continue to show positive movement.

Continuing the trend of recent years, the market share of SUVs and Trucks continue to rise within the United States. In the first quarter of 2017, SUVs, Trucks, and Vans represented 58%, 5 percentage points more than what was seen in 2016. This increase was mostly due to the ever increasing popularity of smaller SUVs and crossovers like the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4.

The biggest decline was seen in the D-Segment. The segment decline in sales by 2.5 percentage points, from 16.9% in Q1 2016 to 14.% in Q1 2017. This decline has been seen throughout the segment, including market leaders like Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Chevrolet Malibu.

While car sales were down overall, the A- and F-Segments (small cars and large luxury cars) actually had increases year-over-year. The Chevy Spark was up almost 40% for the quarter, while the new Lincoln Continental was a major reason for the gain in the F-Segment.

USA - The 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been named the North American Truck of the Year.

• Second NATOTY win for Ridgeline
• All-new Ridgeline designed, developed and manufactured in America
• Innovative features include world's first factory-installed Truck Bed Audio System, Dual Action Tailgate and more

The completely redesigned and reengineered 2017 Honda Ridgeline has been named the 2017 North American Truck of the Year (NATOTY) northamericancaroftheyear.org. Launched in June 2016, the 2017 Ridgeline includes a host of industry-exclusive standard and available features including unibody construction, a Dual Action Tailgate, In-Bed Trunk®, a scratch- and dent-resistant composite truck bed and the world's first Truck Bed Audio System. 

The 2017 Ridgeline is also the first and only pickup to earn a TOP SAFETY PICK+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, when equipped with available front crash prevention system and LED headlights. 

It is the second consecutive year for Honda to earn a top honor, with the Honda Civic winning North American Car of the Year honors in 2016. 

Moreover, this marks Ridgeline's second NACTOY award, the first coming in 2006, when the 2016 Honda Civic also won the 2006 North American Car of the Year.

"This award is a prized validation of the innovations and advantages the Ridgeline offers midsize pickup truck customers and a great recognition of the American development team's work," said John Mendel, Executive Vice President of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. 

"This is a terrific way to kick off 2017, and we're looking forward to sharing more innovative Honda products in the year ahead."

The North American Truck of the Year Award is given by a group of over 50 members of the North American automotive media and is distinctive because it is not tied to a single publication, radio or television station but determined by an independent group of journalists from the United States and Canada. 

Presented each year at the opening of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, NACTOY recognizes the most outstanding vehicle of the year based on multiple factors including innovation, design, safety performance, handling, driver satisfaction and value.

The Ridgeline is a part of Honda's expanded lineup of innovative light-truck models, including the HR-V crossover, the CR-V and Pilot SUVs and the new 2018 Odyssey minivan that will be revealed later today at NAIAS. Honda light truck sales hit an all-time high of 661,188 units in 2016, up 7 percent over the previous year.

Honda has six cars that have the Top Safety Pick ratings, one of the best brands around.

• Six Honda models among top IIHS-rated vehicles for 2017
• Honda is a top leader in safety ratings

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline, a finalist for the 2017 North American Truck of the Year award, is the first and only pickup truck to earn the highest possible safety rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

For the 2017 model year, three Honda models earned a TOP SAFETY PICK+ and three models received a TOP SAFETY PICK rating under the Institute’s more stringent 2017 ratings requirements, making Honda a top leader in safety ratings in the automotive industry.

2017 Honda TOP SAFETY PICK+Vehicles:

• Ridgeline with Honda Sensing™ and LED headlights
• Accord Sedan with Honda Sensing™ and projector beam halogen headlights
• Pilot with Honda Sensing™ and LED headlights

2017 Honda TOP SAFETY PICK Vehicles:

• Accord Coupe with Honda Sensing™
• Civic Coupe with Honda Sensing™
• Civic Sedan with Honda Sensing™

Honda vehicles offer a broad range of active and passive safety features, including the Honda Sensing™ suite of advanced safety and driver-assistive technologies, which can help avoid a collision or mitigate its severity. 

There are more than 300,000 Honda Sensing-equipped vehicles on U.S. roads today. Honda Sensing is available on the Civic, Accord, CR-V, Pilot and Ridgeline. Honda Sensing technologies include Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) with Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) and Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC).

All 2017 Honda models come equipped with a multi-angle rearview camera as standard equipment. Additional standard safety equipment on all Honda models include Advance Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) with traction control; Anti-lock Braking System (ABS); side curtain airbags (some vehicles equipped with a rollover sensor as well); advanced front airbags; and front side airbags.

USA - Honda to have a huge stand at this years SEMA Show in Las Vegas with the Civic Type R as its headliner.

• Civic Type R headlines "Civicpalooza" display featuring more than nine tuned, accessorized and custom-built Civic Sedans, Coupes and Hatchbacks
• 10^th Generation Civic Racing vehicles include 2016 Red Bull Global Rallycross Civic Coupe race car and Civic Coupe Team Honda Racing West Endurance Racer
• Ridgeline and Honda Powersports partner on project vehicles that feature power, performance and Honda accessories
• Honda Powersports and Honda Performance Development expand SEMA presence

Honda will showcase a large presence at the 2016 SEMA show, headlined by the North American debut of the radical new Civic Type R prototype, straight from its global introduction in Paris. 

The Civic R Prototype offers a glimpse into the styling of the next-generation Civic Type R, which will top off the 10th generation Civic lineup when it launches next year.

Joining the Type R will be a posse of custom-built, accessorized and tuned Civic variants. 

This "Civicpalooza" will highlight the custom options available for the new Civic – from an all-new 2017 Civic Hatchback with Honda Genuine Accessories to the 600-horsepower Civic Red Bull Global Rallycross race car, fresh off its strong performance at the 2016 GRC season finale in Los Angeles.

Honda's SEMA footprint also will include the innovative, all-new 2017 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck outfitted with Honda Genuine Accessories, along with three Honda Ridgeline project vehicles built in partnership with some of the most creative automotive tuning houses in the U.S.

Further demonstrating the broad range of performance products and racing activities that only Honda can boast, Honda Powersports and Honda Performance Development (HPD), the racing arm of Honda, will showcase a number of products and tuner projects, including the Indianapolis 500 Winning Alexander Rossi Indycar, the 2017 Honda Grom, and a number of Honda Powersports SEMA projects, including expertly tuned versions of the CRF250R, CB500F, CB500S, CBR1000RR SP, CBR600RR Race Bike, and more.

2016 Honda SEMA Lineup¹:

2016 Civicpalooza

2017 Honda Civic Type R Prototype

The radical Honda Civic Type R Prototype builds on the low and wide proportion of the new Civic Hatchback and is enhanced by muscular body styling and modifications to aid aerodynamic performance. 

The exterior is wrapped in a highly reflective, finely-grained brushed aluminum-effect finish, which is unique to the prototype car. At the front, the aggressive fascia is accentuated with a winged carbon fiber splitter and sporty red accent line. 

Additional slatted ducts add width to the fascia, and diamond-mesh inserts fill the sculpted air intakes.

Honda's iconic red "H" badge, which adorns all Type R models, sits prominently on the front grille at the nose of the car. There is a new intake on the hood, with an air scoop sited centrally in a trapezoidal recess. 

Smoked lenses for the LED headlights, indicators and side indicator repeater lights reflect the Type R Prototype's more aggressive character. 

Carbon fiber side skirts run the length of the side sills, between 20-inch piano black alloy wheels with red accents and 245-section high-performance tires. A beefy carbon fiber diffuser runs below the wider rear fascia, which frames three fully-functional tailpipes flanked by a pair of directional strakes. 

The smaller diameter central tailpipe is highlighted in bright metallic red. Model-exclusive vortex generators at the rear edges of the roof point backward toward a visually striking rear wing.

 Honda Civic Hatchback/Honda Factory Performance (HFP) Concept

The 2017 Civic Hatchback joins the 2016 Civic Sedan and Coupe as the third body style in the 10th-generation Civic lineup. Combining Euro-inspired styling and 5-door hatchback versatility with world-class driving dynamics and Honda direct-injected turbo engine technology, the Civic Hatchback is designed for buyers seeking an even more expressive, sporty and versatile Civic.

The 2017 Civic Hatchback is outfitted with a Honda Factory Performance accessory concept package featuring custom HFP accessories including deck lid spoiler, brake rotors, carpet floor mats and emblems. In addition, the vehicle sports red underbody spoilers, black wheel lock and wheel lugs and 19-inch HFP alloy wheels.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe GRC Competitive Race Car

Fresh off the heels of the 2016 Global Rallycross season finale, the 2016 GRC Civic Coupe Competitive Race car arrives on the SEMA floor, literally covered with track dust and dirt. Developed from a production-model 2016 Civic Coupe chassis by renowned builders and racers Olsbergs MSE (OMSE) with technical assistance from Honda Performance Development (HPD), the Civic Red Bull GRC car is built to withstand the rigorous demands of racing in a series that emphasizes repeated aggressive acceleration and varied terrain. The car will boast more than 600 horsepower, turn in a 0-60 mph time of 1.9 seconds and is designed to handle the 70-foot table-top jumps featured on each racetrack.

2017 Honda Civic Coupe Racing Concept

The same designers and engineers responsible for the development of the 10th-generation Civic Coupe have built the 2016 Coupe Racing Concept car. Built with an FIA specification safety cage, the 2016 Coupe Racing Concept is able to compete in domestic and international endurance sports car events, and will make its first official race debut at the USAF 25 Hour of Thunderhill on December 3-4, 2016.

2016 SEGA Sonic Civic Sedan

The SEGA Sonic Civic embodies the spirit of the Sonic the Hedgehog classic video game, whose main character Sonic, and Sonic's world, is featured throughout the modified vehicle. Fox Marketing Cars, based in York, Pennsylvania, led the design and customization that includes: custom wheels and tires representing Sonic's famous red shoes and gold rings, a custom exterior including a one-of-a-kind vinyl Sonic the Hedgehog design and bespoke paint scheme, a Sonic Black Grille and BASF R-M Candy Sonic Blue painted exterior with custom Sonic Yellow throughout including a Sonic Yellow Honda logo. Custom interior features include Sonic the Hedgehog front and rear seats with Katzkin Blue Leather and custom Sonic the Hedgehog25th Anniversary embroidered logos.  A custom trunk design with Rockford Fosgate audio-visual system featuring two 500-watt T1S2 10-inch subwoofers, two 500-watt TM400 400-watt amplifiers, and a floor-mounted flip-up/down 32-inch television for video game fans to play Sonic the Hedgehog complete the build.

2017 Honda Performance Development Civic Body-In-White/Performance Race Parts

The 2017 Civic Body-In-White was designed to allow amateur and pro race teams the ability to build new race cars without having to tear apart a production car, making it easier to go racing with the latest touring car chassis tech at an affordable price. Honda Performance Development (HPD) will also be supplying a full line of performance parts needed to turn it into a competitive race car including engine, transmission, suspension, brake components and more. With Civic racers competing in the Pirelli World Challenge, IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge events and numerous Club Racing programs, HPD's Racing Line program not only offers the Body-In-White and accompanying performance parts, but includes direct engineering support from the HPD engineers that develop and evaluate these products. More information can be found at:http://hpd.honda.com/racing-line.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe aLL STaR Performance / Tjin Edition

The aLL STaR Performance / Tjin Edition Honda Civic Coupe was designed to be the ultimate street cruiser and incorporates elements from various automotive genres to showcase the personalization potential of the restyled Civic. The exterior features an Apollo Top One Auto Part front lip spoiler, matched with a pair of HFP side skirts and rear valances, all sprayed in a custom Axalta Sunrise yellow paint finish, applied by LR Autobody. For rollers and stoppers, a set of forged Rotiform OZT wheels are wrapped in the all-new Falken FK450 tires, while a custom BC Racing BR Series coilover kit and Baer 6P brake upgrade finish the suspension and braking. The interior features a one-of-a-kind Katzkin perforated suede and leather combination complimenting the Civic's exterior.

2016 Honda Civic Coupe / MAD Industries

The MAD Industries Civic showcases the versatility and fun factor behind the all-new Civic Coupe, with its aggressive stance and turbocharged power. Painted in BASF R-M Waterborn System in Aegean Blue and Jet Black, complete with Carbon 2 Carbon handcrafted Carbon fiber ground effects, single exhaust and Spec R wing, the MAD Industries Coupe catches the eye from every angle. The bold cockpit artfully blends the Aegean Blue and black exterior accents detailed by MAD Industries luxurious-but-sporty appointed custom interior, along with Roadwire leather seat covers with perforated suede inserts, contrasted by blue stitching in the seat, door panels and Steering wheel. The Eibach Pro Kit Performance Springs are on a set of stunning 19" "rotiform" QLB Forged wheels wrapped with Toyo Proxes T1R High Performance tires.

2016 Honda Civic Sedan Meguiars Build – Civic X Concept

On display at the Meguiar's booth, the recrafted Civic X Concept is meant to showcase the

10th generation Civic sedan platform as a solid foundation for customization and personalization. Upgrades bring a sense of classic Honda tuning tradition but are recrafted with a modern day edge. The goal was to give a nod to the clean aesthetic and design language of the builds at the height of the Honda movement from the mid- to late 1990s yet invoke a feeling of luxury and sport that feels progressive and current. The car has a sportier aesthetic due to the use of a carbon fiber hood and numerous Honda accessory enhancements. The exterior package is complemented with black accents in gloss and matt black textures. Performance fun is boosted by a number of upgrades from Greddy Performance Products while styling and handling is further enhanced with SSR wheels and Pirelli ultra-high performance tires. A more aggressive stance and firmer handling is delivered by a full coilover. The interior receives a major overhaul with a two-tone red and black alcantara combination and features contrast stitching while sound is amplified thanks to a custom system featuring additional subwoofers and amplifiers. The complete package embodies a reminiscent build execution of years past, but is executed in a classic and timeless style to appeal to the desire of today's more luxury conscious customers.

Honda Ridgelines Featured at SEMA 2016

2017 Honda Ridgeline + Honda Genuine Accessories

The all-new Ridgeline builds on the unique and still industry-exclusive features that debuted in the award-winning first-generation Ridgeline in 2005. With superior on-road manners and a spacious, flexible interior — the 2017 Ridgeline adds the Truck Bed Audio System to the already industry-first In-Bed Trunk® and Dual-Action Tailgate. Ridgeline joins Honda's expanded lineup of innovative light-truck models, including the HR-V crossover, the CR-V and Pilot SUVs and the Odyssey minivan.

The 2017 Ridgeline features a number of Honda Genuine Accessories including a bed extender, body side molding, cross bars and fender flares as well as a hard tonneau cover, roof rails, running boards, a sport grille and 18-inch Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels. The Ridgeline also features prototype accessories, including a custom light bar by Cibie, and LED fog lights by Valeo.

2017 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition / MAD Industries Sport Truck with MAD Industries CB500F

The MAD Industries Honda Ridgeline Black Edition has been paired with the Honda Powersports MAD Edition CB500F Naked Sport Bike for the weekend warrior who needs plenty of room for hauling gear. Both are painted in BASF R-M Waterborn System in Crystal Black Pearl and Candy Red, with exterior features including a lowered stance fitted with a set of 22x9.5 Niche Alpine wheels, custom painted in Gloss Black with Candy Red Details, while wrapped in Toyo Proxes ST / 11 Sport Truck all Season tires. The cockpit features Jet Black and Candy Red details along with a FOCAL Premium Flax Audio System Designed by the Source AV Design Group.

The CB500F, the smaller sibling of Honda's flagship CB1000R naked sport bike, boasts excellent maneuverability, a comfortable riding position and a versatile engine with great performance across the rev range. PSR Custom CNC Billet Accessories are featured from front to rear, including Driven Carbon Fiber Meteor Bars and a Yoshimura R-77 Muffler in Carbon Fiber and Stainless Steel.  

2017 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition / TJIN Edition + TRX250

Debuting at this year's SEMA Show in the Falken Tires Booth (#61003) is the Tjin Edition X Pennzoil Honda Ridgeline, which has been paired with the race-ready Honda TRX250X ATV. The Ridgeline's off-road capabilities are enhanced by custom 20" three-piece Rotiform wheels, 20" Falken tires, Baer big brakes, and a custom Traxda suspension. The exterior features a custom Axalta paint job, MagnaFlow exhaust, custom front bumper and light bars by the crew at Unique Fabrication. The interior has been completely transformed with a custom Katzkin interior and Scosche sound system.

The Pennzoil x Tjin Edition Honda TRX250X was designed and built by Collin and Kylie Tjin to go hand and hand with the Pennzoil x Tjin Edition Honda Ridgeline, which will be showcased in the Falken Tire booth at the SEMA Show. The Pennzoil x Tjin Edition Honda TRX250X is miniature replica of the Ridgeline and features a custom Axalta paint job, Fox suspension, powder coated gold wheels by Rotiform, custom CT seat, Scosche boom bottles, MagnaFlow exhaust, Pennzoil products and custom logos by Daley Visual.

2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E / Fox Marketing

with 2016 Honda FourTrax Foreman Rubicon 4x4 Automatic DCT EPS Deluxe

On display at the Toyo Tires booth, the 2017 Honda Ridgeline RTL-E customized by Fox Marketing focuses on the outdoor sportsman and features Honda Factory Accessories, including side step, wind visors and fender flares that allows the Ridgeline to spread its wings. An Avery Diamond White Pearl wrap is featured over a BASF R-M Black paint job, with red accents. The 18" KMC Wheels are wrapped in 265/65/18 Toyo ATII tires, with a 1.5" leveling kit providing added stability for off-road adventures. The bed of the truck features a 2017 Honda Rubicon 500 with added Nitrous Express 50-shot system, and 15" KMC Wheels with 235/50/18 Toyo t1r Tires for the performance enthusiast.

The FourTrax® Foreman® Rubicon™ 4x4 is an aggressively styled ATV with a legendary 475cc fuel-injected engine and Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). Excellent ride comfort, high payload and towing capacity, high ground clearance and suspension travel, plus the option of Electric Power Steering (EPS) all add up to big fun with impressive capability. Honda's Automatic DCT with Drive/Low, which delivers smooth, seamless power with an added benefit of the ability to switch between full automatic mode and actively selecting gears via Honda's Electric Shift Program. Both transmission choices are gear-driven, with no belts to slip when wet, or to burn up or break.

Honda Performance Development at SEMA 2016

Alexander Rossi's Indianapolis 500 Champion IndyCar

In May 2016, Honda-powered race car driver, Indy rookie Alexander Rossi, stretched his final tank of fuel for 36 laps to the checkers – four more laps than any other competitor – to win the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. The IndyCar features a twin turbocharged, fuel-injected, aluminum-alloy V-6 with a dual overhead camshaft, four valves per cylinder valve train, direct fuel injection, two Borg-Warner turbochargers, "Drive-by-Wire" throttle technology and a series-spec McLaren Electronics Engine Control Unit (ECU).

Honda Performance Development Inc., Honda's North American racing company, entered the Indy Racing League's IndyCar® Series in 2003, and was the sole engine supplier from 2006 through 2011. For those six seasons, Honda powered the entire 33-car starting field at the Indy 500 without a single driver dropping out with an engine-related problem—a testament to the durability found in Honda's products. After the return of other manufacturers in 2012, Honda continued its unparalleled achievement in durability and innovation, powering teams to Indy 500 wins in 2012, 2014 and now in 2016.

Honda Powersports at SEMA 2016

Factory Connection GEICO Honda CRF250R

This CRF250R GEICO Honda is the bike Malcolm Stewart took the 2016 East Championship aboard. The championship is Honda's seventh SX Lites East championship in 11 years. Managed by past Supercross and Motocross champion Mike LaRocco, the Factory Connection racing squad is the home of multiple Honda champions and features a team deep with talent, including 2014 AMA SX Lites East champion, Justin Bogle.

2017 Honda Grom

The 2017 Honda Grom features new, aggressive bodywork, bold new colors and new LED headlight design. With a new two-tier seat, a more defined tail section, and a new low-mount muffler design, the Grom still features a 125cc engine, with a fun factor that continues to be off the charts. The Grom is a blast to ride, offering all the excitement and freedom of a motorcycle, and is user friendly and approachable so it eliminates nearly the entire intimidation factor.

2017 Honda CBR1000RR SP

The all-new Honda CBR1000RR SP has been completely redesigned and given some serious performance upgrades. This limited-edition machine is fully street legal, but it's really at home on a track day. Compact, slim, and light, it's also the first CBR Honda has offered with throttle-by-wire technology, and that makes a whole realm of engine performance choices available.

2017 CBR600RR Race Bike

This bike was piloted by five-time national champion, Benny Solis, who competed in the 2016 MotoAmerica Supersport class, finishing 5th in the Championship and taking a podium at Utah Motorsports Campus. This modified race bike was consistently competitive against factory teams.

          

Honda CB500S ‘Scrambler Concept'

The Honda twin-cylinder sport bikes revolutionized the world of motorcycling when they first appeared, and this latest generation—Honda's 500 twins—are the best ever. Starting with a 2016 Honda CB500F, MAD Industries and Lossa Engineering created this CB500S to replicate the very popular "Scrambler" style of motorbikes on a modern sport bike frame. This CB500S's frame has been modified with fabrication work featuring Hand Made Panels, Seat Base and Exhaust system combining current modern parts that are available that tie in with the hand-made items. The front end was upgraded to an inverted 41mm Showa Big Piston Fork and radial-mounted calipers from the CBR600RR. The wheels are custom built by Ridewright Wheels with 40 Spoke Cross Laced Wheels and were custom finished to match the bike Black and Gold theme and are wrapped in Continental Trail Attack 2 Tires.