Why was the Honda City discontinued?

[SanPresley]

The main reason for the discontinuation of the Honda City is poor sales. According to the sales trend chart of the City model in 2019, the sales of this car fluctuated significantly. Although the sales fluctuations were substantial, the average monthly sales were only around two to three thousand units, far less than its sibling model, the Honda Fit. Information about joint-venture vehicles is as follows: Introduction: A project jointly established by Chinese and foreign investors. The Chinese side contributes by providing land and factory usage rights, as well as capital, while the foreign investors provide the brand, technology, capital, talent, etc. Joint-venture vehicles are the products of such collaborations. The foreign side provides technology, talent, brand, etc., for assembly within the country, but the core technology is still controlled by the foreign side. Joint-venture brands under the FAW Group include: FAW-Volkswagen, FAW-Audi, FAW-Mazda (all produced in Changchun, Jilin), and FAW-Toyota (produced in Changchun, Jilin; Tianjin; and Chengdu, Sichuan).

[IanDella]

As a long-time Honda enthusiast, I'm not really surprised by the discontinuation of the City. This car initially built its reputation on fuel efficiency and affordability, but it hasn't received major updates for years, leaving its powertrain and design outdated. The market shift towards SUVs and new energy vehicles is an inevitable trend, forcing Honda to focus resources on new products like the CR-V hybrid or e:NS1 EV. Meanwhile, with China's emission standards upgraded to China VI, retrofitting old engines has become too costly, and many parts supplies are constrained. Competition is fierce too—domestic brands like Geely and BYD have launched cheaper compact cars that have taken significant market share. Model discontinuation is routine strategy for automakers—phasing out older models creates space to advance electrification, which is essential for Honda's future development. While the City is a classic, adapting to market changes is ultimately more important.

[LolaLee]

Having driven for over 40 years, I have a special fondness for the Honda City. Its discontinuation was an inevitable decision. Times have changed—with the implementation of national environmental policies like China VI, older engines simply couldn’t meet the standards, causing production and maintenance costs to skyrocket. Honda had to follow the trend toward more popular SUVs and new energy vehicles to cater to younger generations. The City was once a practical family sedan, but consumer preferences have shifted toward larger, more spacious models. Policies like new energy subsidies also made electric cars more affordable. Coupled with global economic fluctuations, automakers must be strategic, making it reasonable to phase out outdated, low-profit models. This reminds me of last century’s model transitions—each one a microcosm of progress. The City’s exit paves the way for new opportunities.

[DiAdrian]

Considered buying the City, but ended up choosing another brand's SUV. Honda discontinued it mainly due to low market demand, right? The trend now is electric vehicles and SUVs, with friends buying Teslas or Honda's own CR-V—who still wants an old-school sedan? Policies like China VI make producing older models troublesome and maintenance costs rise. Consumers prioritize tech features and fuel efficiency, making the City's powertrain seem outdated. With intense competition, BYD's hybrids are selling much better. Honda made the right call adjusting its lineup to focus on new energy and stay relevant.

[OWeston]

Our family used the City as a daily commuter, which was quite convenient. The discontinuation might be due to lower market profitability. After the emission policy upgraded to China VI, repair costs surged, prompting Honda to optimize production line costs. Nowadays, consumers prefer electric vehicles or spacious cars, making the City's positioning less appealing. Government subsidies for new energy vehicles are promoting EV adoption, and Honda must respond by introducing more hybrid models. In daily life, newer models are quieter, more economical, and kids prefer their smart features. With intensifying competition, local brands' budget cars are challenging the City. For long-term development, discontinuing it was a wise decision.