Goodbye S2000
01/26/2009 - TORRANCE, Calif. -
The 2009 Honda S2000 will be the final model year produced of the award-winning roadster, Honda announced today. First introduced in 1999 for the 2000 model year, the S2000 helped define its segment with class-leading handling, engine technology and value. Originally envisioned as a limited-edition tribute to Honda's 50th anniversary, S2000 production was extended in response to customer demand and critical acclaim.
"The S2000 is a sports car designed by enthusiasts for enthusiasts," said John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "It raised the bar for all future roadsters, and it's already considered a classic by many Honda fans."
As a true sports car that can serve as a practical and fun daily driver yet feel equally at home on a racetrack, this concept further evolved with a club racer-inspired S2000 CR trim, first offered in the 2008 model year. The S2000 has been honored with multiple awards through the years, including four appearances on Car and Driver Magazine's coveted "10-Best" list.
The S2000 is sold in 64 countries around the world with cumulative world-wide sales of over 110,000 since its introduction in 1999. Over 65,000 S2000s have been sold in the United States since 1999.
It comes as no surprise that Honda has decided to end production of the S2000. When the first one came off the line in 1999, Honda had repeatedly stated that the vehicle would be a limited run model. Yet the demand for the car had kept it in production for about 10 years. With declining demand and a worsening global economy something had to give at Honda and it was not going to be the gas sipping Hybrids, NGVs, or Hydrogen cars. Hopefully things would look up for Honda whenever this economy takes a turn.
The End of the Next NSX
So not so long ago Honda President, Takeo Fukui, gave a year end speech on how the current state of the automotive market has made Honda, as well as other companies, begin to look at ways to cut costs to survive through the downturn. As the global economy becomes more uncertain, it is no surprise to see that Honda has cut back on various R&D projects. Yet, most fans weren't expecting to see Honda pull out of F1 or cancel development on their next incarnation of the NSX. The writing is on the wall, cheap efficient cars is where this industry is heading and Honda has shifted all resources to develop efficient diesel engines, hybrid vehicles, Hydrogen vehicles, and NGVs. It'll be a while before we see a sport/sporty car from Honda. We'll have to make do with the Civic and Accord Coupe I guess...
Full press release after the split...