Disappointment of 2015: Honda

As we edge closer to the end of the decade, the automotive industry in Australia is approaching a poignant milestone as the three local manufacturers, Ford, Holden and Toyota, prepare for large-scale factory closures.

And while this has been – and will continue to be – a boon for the likes of import brands like Mazda and Hyundai, there's one badge that's failed to capture the imagination of the Australian public: Honda.

The Japanese car maker has the skill and ability to build world-class vehicles. We've seen it in the recent past. And it's slowly starting to happen again with vehicles like the NSX hybrid supercar and Civic Type R hot hatch.

Only there's a catch – Australians won't see either of them for a while.

Just when Honda Australia gets a sniff of something cool, something necessary, it seems just out of reach. And it's though it's been the case for the past five years. Indeed, just when these two high-horsepower heroes are needed more than ever, it's looking likely neither will be offered until at least 2017.

The NSX has been delayed countless times as it has made the transition from conventional supercar to a hybrid with twin-turbos added to the 3.5-litre V6. And in the case of the ballistic turbocharged Civic Type R, we may have to wait until the next-generation is released, such are the delays.

It's true that vehicles such as the NSX and Civic Type R are not huge sellers; they'll never contribute to Honda's coffers like mainstream models such as the Accord, Jazz and CR-V. But they get people talking and when that happens you raise awareness and interest– something Honda is sorely lacking.

This is reflected in overall sales which have struggled to keep up with the movers and shakers of the industry, an industry that flourishes on new (and often exciting) product.

If it wasn't for the Honda HR-V – an admittedly very competitive compact SUV – the company wouldn't have surpassed last year's sales figures of around 30,000 vehicles.

Perhaps Honda has spread itself too thin? Competing in the two most prestigious motorsport categories in the world, F1 and MotoGP, isn't cheap. The company also researches, develops and builds not just cars but motorcycles, whipper-snippers and power equipment... even aviation and robotics too.

And don't call me a Honda basher.

I own a Honda (CBR 600 motorcycle) and it's been a reliable, rewarding machine since the day I bought it new in 1999. It's incredibly well-engineered and that's the way I see the brand. Or at least I used to.

Honda seems to have lost its competitive edge, its predatory attitude.

That we tested a 200kW-plus Civic Type R more than two years ago – and it WAS a weapon – is telling. We've driven the new Honda NSX more recently and it too is an absolute fire-cracker, just what Honda needs.

But if you walked into a Honda dealership this year, and most likely if you do so again in 2016, you'll find many reliable choices... just nothing that excites.

And for a company with Honda's pedigree, that's disappointing.

Dishonourable mention
How could General Motors end any chance Australians had of attaining a new rear-drive V8 sports car? As the Ford Mustang sells out of its first year's entire allocation for Australia sight unseen – more than 3000 vehicles – GM has decided to exit stage left...

More's the pity, because GM is a bastion of V8 awesomeness.

Just not in this country post 2017, it seems.