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FinanceHonda confirms next-gen Ridgeline pickup to be built in US
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Honda Motor confirmed on July 23, 2026, that a next-generation Ridgeline midsize pickup truck will be produced in the U.S. following a temporary production stoppage later this year at its Alabama plant. The future of the Ridgeline had been uncertain due to reports of a production pause linked to California emissions regulations. Assembly is expected to return to the facility within two years, likely in 2028. Honda's vice president of auto sales, Lance Woelfer, stated the goal is to serve loyal customers while increasing the vehicle's ruggedness and capability, though he declined to specify if it will shift to a body-on-frame design. Meanwhile, Honda's CR-V compact crossover led U.S. auto sales through the first half of 2026 for the first time ever, with sales up about 6% year-over-year, as competitors like the Ford F-Series and Toyota RAV4 faced production bottlenecks.
Source report
2026 Honda Ridgeline pickup truck. Courtesy: Honda
Honda Motor on Thursday confirmed that a next-generation version of its Ridgeline pickup truck will be produced in the U.S., following a temporary production stoppage later this year.
Key Developments
- New model confirmed: Honda announced a next-generation Ridgeline is coming after the current model ends production later this year.
- Temporary halt: Production of the midsize pickup will pause at the Alabama plant later this year, with assembly expected to resume at the same facility within two years, likely in 2028.
- Future uncertain: The vehicle's future had been in flux amid reports of a potential production pause due to non-compliance with California emissions regulations.
Enhanced Capability Planned
Lance Woelfer, vice president of auto sales at American Honda Motor, told CNBC: "The goal is to continue to serve those customers who've been loyal to the Ridgeline. But one of the things that we want to bring forward in the future is increased ruggedness of that vehicle, even more capability."
Woelfer declined to comment on whether the enhanced ruggedness would involve shifting from a car-based production process to a traditional "body-on-frame" assembly, the method used for most U.S. trucks.
"That's been an important part of its history. Whether or not it's part of its future, I won't get into that," Woelfer said. "This is a step forward for the Ridgeline that I think everybody will appreciate."
Sales Context
Expanding the Ridgeline's capability—currently known more for smooth driving than ruggedness—could help broaden its buyer base.
- First-half 2026 sales: Down approximately 3% year-over-year.
- Annual sales (2021–2025): Between roughly 41,000 and 52,000 units.
- Comparison: Segment-leading Toyota Tacoma sold more than 270,000 units in 2025.
CR-V Leads U.S. Sales
Honda's confirmation of the new pickup comes as its CR-V compact crossover led U.S. auto sales through the first half of the year for the first time ever.
- CR-V sales growth: Up approximately 6% compared with the prior year.
- Market dynamics: The Ford F-Series pickups and Toyota RAV4 crossover, which have led sales in recent years, faced production bottlenecks.
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Source
US Top News and AnalysisWestern
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Honda Confirms Next-Generation Ridgeline Pickup, Teases New American-Built Model