While it’s consistently one of the best-selling nameplates in North America, Honda is officially giving up on the Accord in Europe.
One of Honda’s U.K. executives said recently the company is running out the current model and, “will not return to the segment,” according to AutoNews Europe. The Accord was first introduced in Europe in 1977, though the model has been substantially different from the Accords sold in North America since the late 1990s.
While it’s been widely suspected the current European-market Accord wouldn’t be replaced, the words of Honda U.K. exec Leon Brannan are perhaps the strongest yet towards the way the company is refocusing its European lineup.
Unable to compete in a contracting market where even top-sellers like the Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo are struggling against the BMW 3-series and Audi A4, Honda believes its future in Europe is in crossovers like the upcoming HR-V and the facelifted 2015 CR-V, its best-selling model there. Just as in the U.S., sales of crossovers have surged in Europe.
While the last European Accord was an immensely competent car, much like its North American twin the Acura TSX, it didn’t stand out enough to make an impression on the market. But banking on the booming SUV segment might be a better place to put development funds than trying to crack an unstable market. So long, Europe Accord.
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