As Honda CR-V leads U.S. sales, automaker teases new American-built pickup truck - CNBC

What the report says

CNBC reports that Honda Motor has confirmed plans for a next-generation Ridgeline midsize pickup to be built in the United States, resolving some uncertainty around the model’s future. The current Ridgeline is slated to end production later in 2026, and Honda said output will pause temporarily at the Alabama plant where the truck is assembled before returning to that facility within two years, likely in 2028.

According to CNBC, the decision follows questions about the pickup’s status, including reports that a production break could be tied to the vehicle not meeting California emissions rules. Lance Woelfer, vice president of auto sales at American Honda Motor, told the outlet that Honda wants to keep serving loyal Ridgeline buyers while making the future truck more rugged and capable. He did not say whether the redesign would shift the Ridgeline from its current car-based approach to a traditional body-on-frame truck layout.

The Ridgeline remains a smaller player in the U.S. midsize pickup market. CNBC reported that its first-half sales were down about 3%, and that Honda has sold roughly 41,000 to 52,000 Ridgelines annually since 2021. By comparison, Toyota sold more than 270,000 Tacomas in 2025, underscoring the competitive gap Honda faces if it wants to broaden the truck’s appeal.

The update comes as Honda’s CR-V compact crossover reached a milestone: CNBC said it led U.S. auto sales in the first half of the year for the first time, helped by about 6% sales growth while recent leaders such as the Ford F-Series and Toyota RAV4 faced production constraints.