Why the S2000 was discontinued
08-27-2015 | 03:31 AM
#12
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,941
Likes: 174
From: Mid-Atlantic
They stopped making them because they couldn't sell them. Simple as that. Sometime in 2009 or 2010 I had a discussion with the sales manager at Joyce Honda (he also happens to be the owner's son in law). I've become very friendly with him over the years. He told me that the S2000 simply wasn't selling and as a matter of fact he had a brand new CR that he couldn't sell.
I could never figure out Honda's strategy. I don't understand why they come out with a car, run it for 10 years virtually unchanged and then discontinue it. I'd have thought that they'd do something similar to what Mazda has done with the Miata, that is to renew it every 5 or so years to keep the model new and fresh. It would seem to me after investing time, money and reputation into a model and model name they'd want to get some mileage out of their investment.
I don't think Honda would have had to make a major investment, they already had a platform to build on. Nor would an second generation S2000 have had to cost $60,000. I think Honda could've renewed the model and rejuvenated its sales at a selling price of $38,000 to $40,000. Part of the problem is that Honda lost it's focus, and part of the problem is their strategy of running models until they stop selling and discontinuing them.
I could never figure out Honda's strategy. I don't understand why they come out with a car, run it for 10 years virtually unchanged and then discontinue it. I'd have thought that they'd do something similar to what Mazda has done with the Miata, that is to renew it every 5 or so years to keep the model new and fresh. It would seem to me after investing time, money and reputation into a model and model name they'd want to get some mileage out of their investment.
I don't think Honda would have had to make a major investment, they already had a platform to build on. Nor would an second generation S2000 have had to cost $60,000. I think Honda could've renewed the model and rejuvenated its sales at a selling price of $38,000 to $40,000. Part of the problem is that Honda lost it's focus, and part of the problem is their strategy of running models until they stop selling and discontinuing them.
Same for the Ridgeline.
08-27-2015 | 08:45 AM
#13
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 18,875
Likes: 31
From: Philly (Narberth)
08-27-2015 | 10:29 AM
#14
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 42,288
Likes: 5,884
From: Mish-she-gan
Originally Posted by dlq04' timestamp='1440648063' post='23727857
I said it 100 times during that period.... HONDA LOST IT'S MOJO. And, they are still paying for it.
In 2008 US Porsche dipped 24% while S2000 sales dropped 42%.
Porsche in 2009 dropped another 24% but from then on they have climbed to having sold 47,000 cars last year in the US. They answered the call Honda never heard.
http://press.porsche.com/more_about/statistics/
08-27-2015 | 11:31 AM
#15
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,921
Likes: 1,264
From: Chesterfield VA
Porsche buyers have always been in higher economic brackets than Honda buyers. Not enough Corporate VPs got downsized in 2007 to make a dent in Porsche sales. They were busy laying off other folks.
Someone has already pointed out the S2000 was never expected to be a long term production car anyway. And it's a Honda (brand), not a Porsche (brand) anyway. Only a few folks who actually know cars have ever been impressed with any Honda but the Porsche name brand just invokes a sort of magic just 'cuz it's one.
(How Volkswagen -- a name that defines cheapness -- manages to sell cars for $40,000 is another question.)
-- Chuck
Someone has already pointed out the S2000 was never expected to be a long term production car anyway. And it's a Honda (brand), not a Porsche (brand) anyway. Only a few folks who actually know cars have ever been impressed with any Honda but the Porsche name brand just invokes a sort of magic just 'cuz it's one.
(How Volkswagen -- a name that defines cheapness -- manages to sell cars for $40,000 is another question.)
-- Chuck
08-27-2015 | 12:35 PM
#16
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 58,713
Likes: 1,298
From: La Crescenta, CA
I sold my 06 S to a guy in The Corner subforum who lives in San Jose, Unkie Trunkie (Brian) in April 14. Last month vtecmom (Gina) had her annual BBQ for s2ki members. Brian and his girlfriend, Joy, drove down from San Jose for the BBQ in my old S. Brian and I agreed that I would drive my old car again and he would drive my 14 C7 Vette. (See my sig.) I was amazed at how primitive, toy-like, and little my old S felt. The transmission was wonderful, with a very short throw shifter. It had no power, compared to the Vette. All the controls seemed so antiquated. It handled very well. I had an 00 S before my 06 S. It seemed that Honda just didn't invest in new technology and wasn't committed to keeping up with other sports cars in that regard. I think that's what killed the market for the S.
08-27-2015 | 02:15 PM
#17
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 42,288
Likes: 5,884
From: Mish-she-gan
Porsche buyers have always been in higher economic brackets than Honda buyers. Not enough Corporate VPs got downsized in 2007 to make a dent in Porsche sales. They were busy laying off other folks.
Someone has already pointed out the S2000 was never expected to be a long term production car anyway. And it's a Honda (brand), not a Porsche (brand) anyway. Only a few folks who actually know cars have ever been impressed with any Honda but the Porsche name brand just invokes a sort of magic just 'cuz it's one.
(How Volkswagen -- a name that defines cheapness -- manages to sell cars for $40,000 is another question.)
-- Chuck
Someone has already pointed out the S2000 was never expected to be a long term production car anyway. And it's a Honda (brand), not a Porsche (brand) anyway. Only a few folks who actually know cars have ever been impressed with any Honda but the Porsche name brand just invokes a sort of magic just 'cuz it's one.
(How Volkswagen -- a name that defines cheapness -- manages to sell cars for $40,000 is another question.)
-- Chuck
Unlike Porsche, Honda is not a company built on its sports car reputation. It is first and foremost a “Motor” company and that’s its bread and butter and it knew it. Like it or not their interest was bread and butter car sales, alternate fuels, sales in China, etc. Honda US puts its marketing dollars toward high volume sales and lets ‘word of mouth’ sell the S2000; which it did till the competition reacted and Honda let a winner slip away.
08-27-2015 | 02:17 PM
#18
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 42,288
Likes: 5,884
From: Mish-she-gan
I agree. I actually attended future planning sessions for replacements and I can share they were at a loss as to what to do next and which way to take the next generation. In the end they did nothing.
08-27-2015 | 07:16 PM
#20
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 943
Likes: 8
From: Livermore, CA
In any case, I can tell you that I learned from my recent search and purchase that unmodified, low-mileage, unmolested S2000s with clean titles command handsome prices. I doubt if a lot of volume-produced automobiles have retained such high value compared to MSRP. I am not talking about a Ford GT or a Ferrari F40 here....but as they get crashed, thrashed, lowered, turboed or merely accrue 250,000 miles, I think supply and demand is at work here. Did anyone see a yellow one with a turbo but very low miles for $43,995 recently? That is not what I am talking about, however.