Honda Confirms Next-Gen Ridgeline Will Be Built in America, Teases Bigger, Tougher Design

Honda officially announced Thursday that the next version of its Ridgeline pickup will be manufactured in the United States, ending months of speculation about the model’s future. The news came alongside word that production at the Alabama plant will pause later this year, with assembly expected to resume within two years, likely in 2028.

The pause is tied to the current Ridgeline’s failure to meet California emissions standards.

Lance Woelfer, vice president of auto sales at American Honda Motor, told CNBC that the company is committed to loyal Ridgeline owners and hinted at major upgrades. “The goal is to continue to serve those customers. But one of the things that we want to bring forward in the future is increased ruggedness of that vehicle, even more capability,” he said.

When asked if the new model would shift from a car-based platform to a traditional body-on-frame design, the standard for most American pickups, Woelfer declined to comment, saying only that the changes would be appreciated.

The Ridgeline has long been known for its car-like ride rather than off-road toughness, which may have contributed to sagging sales. Through the first half of the year, sales dropped about 3%, with annual volumes hovering between 41,000 and 52,000 since 2021. That’s a fraction of the segment-leading Toyota Tacoma, which moved more than 270,000 units in 2025.

S. auto sales for the first half of the year, a first for the model, with a roughly 6% sales increase, helped by production issues at Ford and Toyota.