Honda ups 2012 forecast by more than 25% on bullish CR-V, Civic sales

On the verge of launching an all-new 2013 Accord, Honda has significantly upped its expected sales figures for 2012. Riding on the success of both the new Honda Civic and the 2012 Honda CR-V, the automaker says its forecast of 2012 sales have increased by more than 25 per cent from the original 1.2 million units projected earlier in the year up to 1.3 million units. This all despite having to recover from natural disasters in Asia that crippled its production and inventory.

This bullish estimate can directly be attributed to strong sales of the new CR-V and Civic, two models which account for almost half of all Honda's 732,165 units through July. In fact, the CR-V is on pace to "demolish" its 2007 sales record of 219,000 units. Compared to last year, CR-V sales are up 33.9 per cent, and with five months left, Honda is well on its way of not only breaking this record but also beating out the CR-Vs closest rival – and last year's top-selling crossover – the Ford Escape. As for the Civic, despite its cold critical reception, it remains Honda's best-selling model as well as the best-selling car in its class. Things should get even better for Honda with the Accord coming out this year and an emergency-refresh Civic due out next year.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Honda Fit subcompact is down 26.4 per cent for the year while the company's CR-Z and Insight hybrids have combined to sell just 7,194 units all year.

Overall, Honda's sales are up 18.5 per cent through the first seven months of 2012.

News Source: Ward's Auto

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