The Lengthy Street To fifteen Million
Again when crossovers and SUVs had not but dominated the automotive market, sedans have been the go-to selection due to their practicality and affordability. One of many standouts is the Honda Accord, which is now celebrating its 15 millionth U.S. sale because the nameplate marks its fiftieth anniversary.
The Accord arrived within the U.S. shortly after the first-generation mannequin debuted in 1976. It has competed in opposition to a number of sedans all through the years, although its battle with the Toyota Camry continues to this present day. Whereas the Camry, which arrived within the U.S. later in 1983, has persistently outsold the Accord in current many years, Honda mentioned, citing information from Wards Intelligence, that its midsize sedan is America’s best-selling automotive over the previous 50 years. Globally, the mannequin has bought greater than 25 million models.
A Household Custom Continues
The 15 millionth unit belongs to 26-year-old Southern California insurance coverage agent Andrea, whose household has owned a number of Accords. Her father had a 1997 Accord as his first car earlier than later passing down a 2017 Accord Sport to Andrea. Her youthful sister, Alondra, additionally purchased a brand new Accord from the identical dealership on the identical day, turning into the proprietor of the 15,000,001st unit bought in America.
Andrea bought the 2026 Accord Sport-L Hybrid, a mid-spec hybrid trim that slots beneath the flagship Touring Hybrid. It’s outfitted with Honda Sensing and makes use of a 2.0-liter inline-four paired with a two-motor hybrid system to ship a mixed 204 horsepower. Entrance-wheel drive comes commonplace, although most rivals such because the Toyota Camry and Kia K5 provide all-wheel drive as an choice.
Talking about her new automotive, Andrea mentioned, “The Accord has at all times been a automotive we all know and belief, so studying that our purchases grew to become a part of Honda historical past makes this second much more memorable.”
Constructed Shut To Dwelling
Honda has been constructing the Accord at its Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio since 1982, and greater than 13 million Accords have been produced there since then. The Japanese marque beforehand introduced plans to maneuver Accord manufacturing to its Indiana plant as a part of its Ohio EV Hub retooling, however the transition has but to be formally confirmed.
Like most sedans, the Accord has been seeing a downtrend in gross sales, whereas manufacturers like Ford and Chevrolet have already exited the section. There appears to be rising curiosity in bringing again sedans as common new-car costs within the U.S. attain new heights, however for now, the Accord is giving sedans another second to shine.
