Is Honda pulling the plug on clarity?
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KentuckyKen
Well-Known Member
Judging by how little Honda advertises the Clarity to the public and trains its dealers, it could be said that Honda pulled the plug before it was even born. It’s a crying shame because I think for that the price and capabilities that it’s way ahead of its time and head and shoulders above its current competition.
Spring_Clarity
New Member
If there is any way to find this out from Honda USA, it might be good info to have in our back pocket for those of us with limited warranties. I’ve never owned a vehicle that wasn’t supported for decades and multiple generations of models.
Having all that wealth of tech support and mechanics who “know” your vehicle is super handy.
I’ve owned multiple Accords, multiple Pilots, Camrys and Tacomas. This would be the first and last new car I own that isn’t time tested and supported.
Having all that wealth of tech support and mechanics who “know” your vehicle is super handy.
I’ve owned multiple Accords, multiple Pilots, Camrys and Tacomas. This would be the first and last new car I own that isn’t time tested and supported.
Sandroad
Well-Known Member
One of the quickest ways to get in trouble when buying/selling new or used cars is to believe a salesperson. As a general statement, salespersons have remained remarkably ignorant of the Clarity. Anything is possible in the car business, so the statement may or may not be true. But we need verification from Honda corporate before speculating too much on whether or not any of the Clarity variants have a 2 year run.
Lowell_Greenberg
Active Member
Last year the Clarity plugin began to outsell the Prius Prime- and this year production shortages may be hampering Clarity sales. Is Honda deliberately phasing out the Clarity Plugin? Not sure. Maybe they just produced too many 2018s and need to clear those out before they fully ramp 2019. I have a 2019.
If the Clarity platform is truly optimal for a plugin, discontinuing the plugin version after just two years doesn't make sense. However a much better range electric vehicle does. FCV is a niche version for a limited market that may over time grow.
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Robert_Alabama
Well-Known Member
Honda might kill one or all of the Clarity line, but I have difficulty believing that some random sales person is in the know about it. I think he/she has delusions of grandeur...
Yes, Honda salespeople would be the LAST to have this kind of news. Please remember this salesman's name so you can ask him where the information came from, but don't ask until it's clear there will be a 2020 Clarity PHEV so that he has time to work on his excuse. On the other hand, if he's correct, he is to be congratulated for having information sources at the highest level in Japan.
4sallypat
Active Member
Sales people are the worst source of information across the entire automotive brands.
Sales people work under a franchisee which are the last to know intentions of a manufacturer.
Highly doubt a Japan engineered & built car that is being shifted to US plant for manufacturing would be axed so soon....
Sales people work under a franchisee which are the last to know intentions of a manufacturer.
Highly doubt a Japan engineered & built car that is being shifted to US plant for manufacturing would be axed so soon....
Honda's moving Clarity production to the US? All 3 varieties?
I doubt you purchased your Clarity as a money-making investment. With the giant discounts people are getting on new Clarity PHEVs, I'd guess the trade-in value will not be anywhere near its actual value as a great car. I've been driving a gen-1 Insight unicorn for 14 years and have never regretted keeping it after Honda said RIP Insight in 2007.
Wow! Thanks for the link. It would be a big surprise to me if Honda moved the low-production Clarity from Japan to the US--especially because it's a sedan. I expected the hybrid CR-V and future electrified SUVs to be what Honda was talking about building in the US. I've seen talk about a BEV HR-V, but that would likely come from Mexico, where the HR-V is currently manufactured.
Lowell_Greenberg
Active Member
I thinks its premature to assume they will discontinue production. The Clarity is a bit of an odd ball- for the most part in good ways. I don't think Honda will give up that easily on the triple platform- Plugin, EV and FCV. But I could easily be wrong...
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In my area of Southern California today there appear to be two 2019 phev's available at dealers within 10 miles of me, 6 within 50 miles. But no FCV's available within 50 miles, and no BEV's within 300 miles. So I wouldn't bet against some of the configurations not being available in 2020. But even if the PHEV is abandoned I would hesitate to get rid of mine.
I have a friend who has had a Honda Element for eleven years, an incredible, unique car, which was abandoned eight years ago, supposedly because it didn't seem to appeal to their prime demographic. For the last five years she has found notes on the car windshield with cash offers, and has had dealers calling and writing to her, promising above blue book value.
So it is certainly possible that Honda is playing the same game with the Clarity, not realizing what they have, disappointed with the demographics of those interested in the car, and not willing to be patient until the market catches up.
MNSteve
Well-Known Member
I am sure we all have opinions about the probability that Honda will discontinue the Clarity. We just need to realize that at this point they are simply opinions, even if we think they're educated opinions. If I had wanted to buy a car that I felt would be manufactured for years I would have bought a Camry.
Fast Eddie B
Well-Known Member
Good to know. We’ve had our stick shift Galapagos Green Element for 14+ years, and it’s been great little car, well suited to dog owners! 210,000 mostly trouble-free miles, now pretty much relegated to use as an airport car for when we fly into Copperhill airport. I never think about any residual value it may have after all these years.
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Fast Eddie B
Well-Known Member
I thought about starting a thread on this, but this may be a good place for it...
Remember “Who Killed the Electric Car”? GM called in the leases on all their EV-1’s, essentially a buyback.
Might Honda consider doing the same? Now that the beta-testing is done, get these experimental mules off the road? How would you feel about a letter offering you 100% of your purchase price back, or full credit towards whatever the next-gen Honda PHEV is scheduled to be? Many would actually make money on the deal, keeping their federal tax credit, and maybe being due another. I guess a lot depends on how much use you got out of your beloved Clarity.
Not saying it’s likely, to worth considering, to least as a thought experiment!
Remember “Who Killed the Electric Car”? GM called in the leases on all their EV-1’s, essentially a buyback.
Might Honda consider doing the same? Now that the beta-testing is done, get these experimental mules off the road? How would you feel about a letter offering you 100% of your purchase price back, or full credit towards whatever the next-gen Honda PHEV is scheduled to be? Many would actually make money on the deal, keeping their federal tax credit, and maybe being due another. I guess a lot depends on how much use you got out of your beloved Clarity.
Not saying it’s likely, to worth considering, to least as a thought experiment!
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Of course, Honda's doing the lease-only beta-test thing with the Clarity Fuel Cell and Clarity Electric. The company won't be offering those vehicles for sale after they decide those beta-test programs are finished.
As much as I love my fully-owned Clarity PHEV, I'd trade it in for a Honda PHEV sedan that's better in every way (especially if it was styled by the team who created the Honda e). However, I haven't heard that Honda is working on a successor PHEV sedan (not that Honda would tell anybody). I wouldn't sell our Clarity back without being able to buy a suitable PHEV sedan replacement.
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