Slow sales cause Honda to scrub natural gas, hybrid Civics

The changes come as Honda pivots toward an expanded fuel-cell strategy with a new model set to launch in 2016.

Greg Migliore - AUTOBLOG - June 16, 2015

Honda will kill off the Civic Hybrid and Civic Natural Gas models at the end of the 2015 model year as part of a massive product overhaul, a top executive said Monday in Detroit.

The moves come in response to consumer preferences as the Japanese automaker prepares to launch the 10th generation of the Civic later this year, said John Mendel, executive vice president, American Honda Motor Co.

"These moves will allow greater focus on Civic's sporty new driving character," Mendel said.

Honda revealed the close-to-production Civic concept this spring at the New York auto show and confirmed it will include Si and Type R variants. The powertrain lineup will feature a new turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, a short-throw six-speed manual, and a continuously variable transmission. The Type-R is expected in 2017, Mendel said. Though the new car marks a return to more athletic Civics, some versions will still get more than 40 miles per gallon in highway driving.... [Read More]

Slow sales cause Honda to scrub natural gas, hybrid Civics