2012 Honda Civic Released (Updated)...Hyundai lol'd
10-11-10, 10:11 AM
#31
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The designers are going to think twice before making any really outlandish style-changes that could turn people away. In fact, I'm surprised they went as far on the current-generation Civic, in 2006, as they did, with the wedge-shaped front end, small A-pillar windows, and bi-level primary dash gauges.
10-11-10, 10:40 AM
#32
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10-11-10, 11:15 AM
#34
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Although I hate this new Civic design, and haven't liked a Civic design since 2 generations ago, something needs to pointed out.
All these "edgy" designs that enthusiasts talk all day long about on internet forums don't really sell that well. The compact car sales leader in the US is the Corolla, followed by the Civic. No other competitors comes close to the sales of these two. The biggest seller after the Civic is the Focus, and there is a big gap between Civic and Focus sales. The spaceship Civic still being a big seller is an exception, as the polarizing spaceship design hasn't affected the Civic's reputation to a big extent yet. That's probably why they went with a more bland design this time.
Bland sells.
The new Civic being more bland is not a huge problem, as it will likely sell well and appeal more to the masses than the current spaceship design. The problem with this new Civic design is that it looks dated already. Arguably it looks just as dated, if not more so than the current Corolla. The Corolla is getting a redesign however in the next 2-3 years.
This new Civic should have looked bland and modern. Honda failed here because they could make this new Civic look very modern.
As for the Sonata, we'll see if it can continue its sales in the future, or if it will drop off in sales like the previous-gen Sonata did. When the previous-gen Sonata first debuted, sales were pretty good, then they dropped. Will the Sonata be able to maintain consistent sales like the class leaders? That is the real question.
All these "edgy" designs that enthusiasts talk all day long about on internet forums don't really sell that well. The compact car sales leader in the US is the Corolla, followed by the Civic. No other competitors comes close to the sales of these two. The biggest seller after the Civic is the Focus, and there is a big gap between Civic and Focus sales. The spaceship Civic still being a big seller is an exception, as the polarizing spaceship design hasn't affected the Civic's reputation to a big extent yet. That's probably why they went with a more bland design this time.
Bland sells.
The new Civic being more bland is not a huge problem, as it will likely sell well and appeal more to the masses than the current spaceship design. The problem with this new Civic design is that it looks dated already. Arguably it looks just as dated, if not more so than the current Corolla. The Corolla is getting a redesign however in the next 2-3 years.
This new Civic should have looked bland and modern. Honda failed here because they could make this new Civic look very modern.
As for the Sonata, we'll see if it can continue its sales in the future, or if it will drop off in sales like the previous-gen Sonata did. When the previous-gen Sonata first debuted, sales were pretty good, then they dropped. Will the Sonata be able to maintain consistent sales like the class leaders? That is the real question.
10-11-10, 11:51 AM
#35
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TRDFantasy, sure bland plays a role in sales but in the case of Civic, Corolla, Camry, & Accord, the cars will always sell in high numbers because they wear those legendary names. Styling almost doesn't matter unless they really made them offensively ugly.
The current Civic pushed the styling envelope for compacts and sales continued on. Toyota could make the Corolla very stylized and I bet sales would be just as strong perhaps dropping a few customers while gaining others.
The current Civic pushed the styling envelope for compacts and sales continued on. Toyota could make the Corolla very stylized and I bet sales would be just as strong perhaps dropping a few customers while gaining others.
10-11-10, 12:17 PM
#36
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TRDFantasy, sure bland plays a role in sales but in the case of Civic, Corolla, Camry, & Accord, the cars will always sell in high numbers because they wear those legendary names. Styling almost doesn't matter unless they really made them offensively ugly.
The current Civic pushed the styling envelope for compacts and sales continued on. Toyota could make the Corolla very stylized and I bet sales would be just as strong perhaps dropping a few customers while gaining others.
The current Civic pushed the styling envelope for compacts and sales continued on. Toyota could make the Corolla very stylized and I bet sales would be just as strong perhaps dropping a few customers while gaining others.
This was part of my point though; Honda going back to a more bland design means they realized that the spaceship design was a mistake and was pushing it a bit too far with a mainstream car.
With that said, a car can look modern and somewhat stylish without looking edgy or alienating.
I think vehicles like the new Focus and Fiesta as well as the new Sienna are good examples IMO. They look modern, somewhat stylish, without too edgy or alienating.
I think automakers now must balance modern design with some style, while keeping some bland or mainstream styling elements, as to not alienate buyers too much.
Honda IMO is failing in this sense.
10-11-10, 05:44 PM
#38
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All these "edgy" designs that enthusiasts talk all day long about on internet forums don't really sell that well. The compact car sales leader in the US is the Corolla, followed by the Civic. No other competitors comes close to the sales of these two. The biggest seller after the Civic is the Focus, and there is a big gap between Civic and Focus sales. The spaceship Civic still being a big seller is an exception, as the polarizing spaceship design hasn't affected the Civic's reputation to a big extent yet. That's probably why they went with a more bland design this time.
Bland sells.
Bland sells.
The Civic and Corolla were able to dominate this segment (even w/ bland styling) b/c there were no competitors which could match them on the other, more impt. factors.
However, w/ the new offerings by Ford, Hyundai/Kia, GM, etc. being competitive on these fronts - good/interesting design can be the diff. maker.
As for the Sonata, we'll see if it can continue its sales in the future, or if it will drop off in sales like the previous-gen Sonata did. When the previous-gen Sonata first debuted, sales were pretty good, then they dropped. Will the Sonata be able to maintain consistent sales like the class leaders? That is the real question.
10-11-10, 06:47 PM
#39
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I agree bland does sell, but there are several grades of blandness. There's frumpy blandness (like the new Civic), athletic/trim blandness, heavy blandness (luxury), and nerdy blandness. So, there's good and bad blandness. This is not good blandness.
10-11-10, 07:04 PM
#40
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This is a weak point frankly. The midsize segment has had a lot of competition, and a lot of very good vehicles are available in the midsize segment.
However, that has not changed the fact that the Camry continues to be the clear sales leader and no other competitor except the Accord comes close.
Edgy or polarizing designs do not sell very well. History has proven that time and time again. I do not wish to argue this point.
As for the Sonata, you missed my point. The previous generation Sonata started off with decent sales, and then PERCENTAGE-WISE the sales dropped as time went on.
Here are the sales figures to show what I mean:
Sonata sales for:
2004: 107,189
2005: 130,365
2006: 149,513
2007: 145,568
2008: 117,357
2009: 120,028
The previous-gen Sonata debuted in the middle of 2005. Sales increased in 2005 and in 2006 thanks to the new model, but they then started to go down and did not recover.
Like I said, it remains to be seen if the new Sonata can continue with consistent sales in the future. The previous gen Sonata had a fairly high percentage sold to fleets too if I remember correctly, especially in 2009.
I see your point, although I wouldn't put it into those terms.
As I said, the new Civic is bland and it looks dated already, which is a bad combination. Arguably it looks more dated than the current Corolla. The rear is really what gives it such a dated look.
However, that has not changed the fact that the Camry continues to be the clear sales leader and no other competitor except the Accord comes close.
Edgy or polarizing designs do not sell very well. History has proven that time and time again. I do not wish to argue this point.
As for the Sonata, you missed my point. The previous generation Sonata started off with decent sales, and then PERCENTAGE-WISE the sales dropped as time went on.
Here are the sales figures to show what I mean:
Sonata sales for:
2004: 107,189
2005: 130,365
2006: 149,513
2007: 145,568
2008: 117,357
2009: 120,028
The previous-gen Sonata debuted in the middle of 2005. Sales increased in 2005 and in 2006 thanks to the new model, but they then started to go down and did not recover.
Like I said, it remains to be seen if the new Sonata can continue with consistent sales in the future. The previous gen Sonata had a fairly high percentage sold to fleets too if I remember correctly, especially in 2009.
As I said, the new Civic is bland and it looks dated already, which is a bad combination. Arguably it looks more dated than the current Corolla. The rear is really what gives it such a dated look.
10-11-10, 07:12 PM
#41
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Camry = very nice blandness
This new Civic, particularly beyond the front end, is dated, bloated, unoriginal, second thought, awkwardly shaped blandness.
When I look at these pictures of the 2012 Civic, I honestly feel like these are 2005 pics of an alternative version that was dropped in favor of the current design. Seriously, it's that dated.
