Ute News

A new report from suggests Honda is considering opening the doors to exporting its US-built Ridgeline ute to Japan.Despite being a good fit for markets like Australia, the Ridgeline ute has remained a North American exclusive model since its original launch in 2005.The news out of Japan is Honda is considering importing the Ridgeline from the US to Japan as part of an effort to reduce its trade deficit and appease the current US administration.According to Nikkei Asia, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism is considering an exemption to current safety rules in place in the Japanese market which makes importing US-built models prohibitive, triggering Honda to consider which models would be appropriate to import.The Ridgeline is one option, but the brand is also considering the Passport large SUV (which sits above the CR-V in the brand’s international line-up), as well as vehicles from Honda’s North American Acura luxury arm.It is said a new process is being considered which will allow vehicle approval with only a document review rather than a round of physical evaluations, which in the past have made it difficult to comply imported vehicles to JapanHonda is joining Nissan and Toyota in considering importing US-built vehicles to the Japanese market, although whether this will include re-engineering to right-hand drive (as is usually required in Japan) remains to be seen.If this is the case, it would obviously be beneficial to off-set the cost of this re-engineering process to consider other right-hand drive export markets like Australia and countries in South East Asia.Built in Honda’s North American plants in Canada and the US, the brand has always considered the Ridgeline ute cost prohibitive to import to Australia (despite the brand toying briefly with importing its original SUV sister vehicle, the MDX large SUV from 2003 - 2006).Back in 2020, Honda’s Australian boss at the time, Stephen Collins, told CarsGuide the Ridgeline was strongly requested by Honda dealers and the public, but required multiple elements to make sense for the Australian market.For the Ridgeline to be competitive, he said, it would require a diesel powertrain, as well as an upgraded payload and towing capacity. The current version is only offered with a 3.5-litre V6 engine (210kW/355Nm), and offers a payload and towing capacity of up to 700kg or 2300kg respectively.Unlike the rest of Honda’s Australian range, which use either a continuously variable automatic transmission or a hybrid transaxle, the Ridgeline employs a ZF nine-speed torque converter automatic.While it is size-comparable to a dual-cab, it rides on a monocoque rather than a ladder frame, has an all-wheel drive system rather than a solid axle 4x4 system, and features coil sprung suspension rather than heavy-duty leaf springs.Another factor to consider is the current second-generation Ridgeline’s age. Debuting back in 2017, the current version is now eight years old, although received a significant facelift in 2024 with more cabin tech and standard equipment like re-tuned suspension and standard all-terrain tyres.Pricing may also place the Ridgeline into a niche space for Aussie buyers. Currently the ute costs the equivalent of A$61,000 in the American market, which would likely be hiked significantly to cover shipping and conversion costs for right-hand drive destinations.On the other hand, the Ridgeline’s shared platform with the large Pilot and Passport SUVs may also open up potential cost-reductions for wider export.Honda in Australia has had a decent year, up 9.1 per cent, although this is off a low base. Its range of cars, which is now limited to the Civic hatch and Accord sedan, as well as the HR-V, ZR-V and CR-V SUVs is down to a footprint of just 14,194 units a year. This makes Honda equivalent in sales to Lexus, LDV, and even now Suzuki, which has taken a large hit this year (-27.4 per cent) as Chinese rivals move into its budget-friendly space.

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Toyota in Australia has left the door open for the long-rumoured HiLux Mini to launch in our market, with one of the brand's most senior executives telling the media "there's always space for something".

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Ford looks set to secure second place in the Australian new vehicle sales race once again, likely edging Mazda out to third place for the second year in a row.

BYD’s next dual-cab ute is slowly getting closer to being revealed.