American Honda gets boost from cars, HR-V

In a market where light-truck deliveries are a bright spot, U.S. sales of the Honda Pilot dropped 11 percent while CR-V volume slipped 3.2 percent in March. Photo credit: DAVID PHILLIPS

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Honda Motor Co. reported a 9.4 percent increase in U.S. sales last month, bolstered by strong car shipments and gains at both its Honda and Acura divisions.

Volume jumped 11 percent at the Honda division with 123,369 sales in March, and edged up 1.2 percent at Acura with 14,852 deliveries.

Overall, American Honda’s car sales rose 12 percent and truck volume increased 6.8 percent.

The Honda division’s gains were helped by strong car demand, with sales of the Accord rising 17 percent to 30,523 and the Civic achieving its third consecutive monthly record, with sales up 22 percent to 32,855.

The automaker moved 6,398 HR-V subcompact crossovers in March. Honda said its new plant in Celaya, Mexico, where the HR-V is assembled, is focused primarily on the brand’s newest light truck.

However, some of Honda’s most popular light trucks struggled last month.

In a market where light-truck deliveries are a bright spot, sales of the Pilot dropped 11 percent while CR-V volume slipped 3.2 percent.

At Acura, sales were led by the TLX and RDX in March, with TLX volume rising 9.9 percent to 3,768. The RDX crossover set a March record, with volume surging 34 percent to 5,310.

Overall, Acura’s truck sales slipped 0.7 percent last month while car deliveries rose 4.8 percent.

You can reach Nora Naughton at nnaughton@crain.com.

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American Honda gets boost from cars, HR-V