Which Auto Model and Service should you Choose?
Good to be back in San Jose…According to the Consumer Reports magazine, Honda released new 2012 Civic model with cheap-looking plastic interior. This new design came as an unpleasant surprise to all Honda fans. Civic has been one of Honda’s best selling auto models and it accounts for 20 percent of Honda’s annual sales. Hard-plastic is no match for innovative interior design and competitive price of new Hyundai Elantra. Korean cars are becoming a better option for younger buyers. My friend who runs a San Jose auto service
has confirmed that this is the cases in his service center there.
Civic received the lowest rating among small cars not only for the interior design but also for its brakes and noise level. Such rating symbolizes deeper problems with Honda management. The automaker’s reputation is suffering from its mediocre engineering. A software problem is causing Honda to recall about 2,5 million vehicles, including 1,5 million cars in US.
Keeping US buyers happy is very important for Japanese automakers because American market brings more than third of their profits. It’s difficult to predict Honda sales this year due to insufficient supply after the Japanese earthquake. So far, Civic sales are down by 11 percent. However, Honda is trying to redeem itself with their new fuel-efficient Accord models. Hopefully, Honda makers will learn their lesson from Civic experience and they’ll come up with a top quality design.
