The U.S. midsize car segment fell below 1 million units in 2021 and is off another 17 percent this year through September, as consumers migrate to crossovers and other light trucks.
“While dynamics are changing and the segment isn’t the powerhouse it once was, it remains important to the industry and important for Honda, which has been a mainstay of the category,” said Stephanie Brinley, associate director at S&P Global Mobility.
U.S. sales of the Accord slid 30 percent to 122,214 this year through October. Along with the venerable Civic, and more recently the HR-V subcompact crossover, the Accord remains a key entry point to the Honda brand for many American households.
“The difficulties for Accord sales of the past two years are as much about external factors than a lack of competitiveness or strength for the Accord,” Brinley said.
The Accord holds the No. 2 place on the midsize car leaderboard behind Camry, according to the Automotive News Data Center. The Camry is No. 1 with 214,403 U.S. deliveries in 2022 through September and Nissan’s Altima is No. 3 with sales of 106,122.
The updates to the 2023 Honda Accord are designed to keep it competitive. When it goes on sale in January, it will still offer buyers a sporty and practical package with a spacious interior but updated styling.
