Honda does not want to nor will they catch up to Toyota in global sales. Honda is strictly consumer sold, consumer driven. They don't sell thousands of cars a year to business and rental services.

They don't need to make compact or full-size pick-up trucks. . .
they have no market for it.

They don't need to make 9 different SUV's, half of which compete in the same market segment; Honda is content with having 3 SUV's in 3 different segments.

They don't need to make inexspensive economy cars like the Echo, because they prefer not to compete with $10-12,000 cars like Hyundai, Suzuki, and Kia.

They don't need to make a grandpa car (avalon), that's what the base TL is for.

 

You kinda of touch on something there. I think Honda could easily jump into many markets, but they choose not to. Like I've said before, a Honda vehicle not being a class leader is rare, and it usually gets fixed or the vehicle gets dropped.

Also, ya'll musnt forget how strong the Honda name is. In my marketing class, my teacher asked people what their favorite car company, and instantly half the class shouted out Honda. Only a few people shouted Ford, BMW (i was one of them ) or Ferrari etc etc or something. That right there says a lot.

 

I think you might be overestimating Honda. Honda is a small company and therefore, they can't just go in any market they want. They have to pick and choose which would bring them the most profit. Why wouldn't they want to be in every segment and be the top of every segment? Doing so would make them the largest automaker and would any automaker want that title? Not all Honda vehicles are class leaders but all of them do very well.

Honda brand is strong but only to certain demographic but not all. Your class is not big enough to draw any conclusion. In my neighborhood, almost every drive way has at least one Camry, but only middle age or older people drive them. What I'm trying to say is each brand appeal to a certain demographic.

 

What I was trying to point out is the youth's fondness of the Honda name. The youth is the future, and the demographic that most car companies want to go after.

Let's not get too picky here. I say it not being a class leader is rare, I never said all. The only other company that also comes out on top in comparisons time after time is BMW. Or sometimes, they tie (X5 and MDX have tired before, as have the 3 and TL).

Anyways, Honda has said they dont want to jump into a flooded market anymore, they rather carve niches for themselves.

I myself like Honda just the way it is heading.