Honda Accord's Aussie chances looking good

Honda has given the strongest signal yet it will continue to sell the Accord sedan in Australia.

The next generation Accord, to be unveiled at tin Detroit on July 14 and possibly on-sale in Australia early 2018, could also be the vehicle Honda uses to reintroduce a mainstream hybrid ‘Down Under’ after terminating that drivetrain technology last year. It currently only offers the $420,000 NSX hybrid in Australia.

As recently as two months ago, Honda Australia had been downbeat about continuing a model line which stretches back more than 30 years, citing declining sales in the traditional medium and large car segments and the Accord’s own sales slump.

But, during a media phone conference primarily called to announce a new five-year/unlimited kilometres warranty, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins all but confirmed a green-light for the all-new Accord.

“Our plan is definitely for that to be the case [bringing the 10th generation Accord to Australia],” Collins said. “We are still working through the business case for it.

“Our clear intention is, absolutely, that car will come. I don’t know the details at this point in time and obviously everyone is well aware that it will be shown very shortly.

“That is still a very challenging segment, but we still think there is a place for Accord in our line-up and definitely a market opportunity there we want to fill.”

Collins conceded his tone was “a bit more positive” than in May and confirmed the Accord business case “was progressing”.

“We have said all along we want Accord to be our flagship sedan and to continue as such.

“There are still some hurdles to overcome with it, but we are progressing.”

He didn’t shy away from the suggestion a hybrid would fit the bill as part of making Accord a flagship technology showcase for the brand.

“Hybrid would be part of the mix and we are looking at some others (technologies) that I don’t want to go in to right now.

“We still believe it needs to be our technological flagship and hybrid needs to be part of that mix.”

While the shape of the Accord revealed in Detroit will be indicative of what would come to Australia, motoring.com.au understands our drivetrain options may differ from what is announced for the North American market.

Meanwhile, Honda updated the media on the progress of its Takata airbag recall, reporting:

- A 69 per cent completion rate (as of July 1)- 449,032 inflator repairs have been completed - 201,347 remaining- It is averaging around 5000 inflater repairs per week- It has recalled 426,198 Honda vehicles in Australia and specifically 650,379 inflators.

Other brands affected locally by the Takata airbag disaster include Toyota, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, BMW and Ferrari.