Honda plans to suspend production of its Ridgeline pickup truck for nearly a year and a half to prepare a thorough model update. This decision is linked to the need to meet new, stricter emission regulations.
Why is Honda stopping Ridgeline production?
According to Auto News, citing informed sources, Honda is forced to halt Ridgeline production because the current version of the pickup does not meet environmental standards. Production at the Alabama plant is scheduled to end in the fourth quarter of 2026 and resume only in the third quarter of 2028. During this pause, the freed-up capacity will be used to produce more Passport and Odyssey models.
What will change in the updated version?
According to rumors, Honda will use this time for a complete model reboot. The updated Ridgeline is expected to receive significant design changes, new components, and a modernized V6 engine that meets stricter environmental requirements. This will allow the model to remain relevant until a hybrid architecture arrives in the future.
Sales and market competition
The Ridgeline has always been a niche player in the pickup truck market. Over the past few years, Honda has sold fewer than 50,000 units annually, and last year that figure dropped below 45,000. For comparison, competitors like the Chevrolet Colorado and Toyota Tacoma sell hundreds of thousands of vehicles each year. In the first quarter of 2026, Honda sold only 10,980 Ridgelines, while Toyota sold 69,263 Tacomas over the same period.
Honda’s official position
A Honda spokesperson declined to comment on future plans but stated:
The Ridgeline remains an important model in our lineup and one of our best models for attracting new customers due to its unique appeal in the pickup segment. It will continue to play an important role in our lineup now and in the future.
This situation shows how the automotive industry is adapting to new environmental regulations, even if it requires temporary production stoppages. For Honda, this is also an opportunity to rethink the strategy for the Ridgeline, which, while having a loyal audience, significantly lags behind competitors in sales volumes. The success of the updated model will depend on how radical the changes are and whether it can offer something truly unique to justify its price and attract buyers in a highly competitive segment.