Honda Stream wagon could be coming to the US market
Given the current market conditions every automaker is looking at how to get more smaller vehicles into the US market quickly. The obvious answer for Japanese brands is to bring over some of the compact models that have always been the mainstream in their home market. For Honda vehicles like the Stream and the smaller Japanese version of the Odyssey could make the crossing. When the Odyssey was first introduced the same model sold in Japan was offered here but was a commercial failure because it was so much smaller than the dominant Chrysler minivans. Subsequent models diverged and grew significantly here but the smaller model remained at home.
The Stream is a seven seat wagon based on the platform of the Fit and would make a good competitor for the Mazda5. During a recent Honda press event in New York executives talked at length about whether the Stream could be successful here. There seems a strong likelihood that the Stream will make the trip and could appear as soon as the 2010 model year as a more efficient alternative to CUVs and SUVs
[Source: Bloomberg, via Autoblog]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BoomBoom 1:52PM (8/11/2008)
I hate to nitpick, but the Stream is based on the Civic platform not the Fit/Jazz, right? (Like the Mazda 5 is based on the 3 platform).
Honda, bring us back a Civic Wagon. I miss my 88 Civic Wagon so!!!!
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Sam Abuelsamid 2:21PM (8/11/2008)
I may be wrong, but my understanding when I talked to Honda was that the Stream is based on the Fit/Jazz.
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Scott K. 2:31PM (8/11/2008)
The availability of the Stream or a Civic wagon would immediately put both on my short list. And we're buying next year, so the timing may be good.
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Snark 4:26PM (8/11/2008)
No, it's definitely the Civic platform, but it's the Euro Civic hatch platform - which is related to that of the Fit, and which shares the Fit's unique "gas tank under the front seats" layout. Basically, the Stream is a big Fit with more seats. Also, awesome.
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William 5:41PM (8/11/2008)
But will it come in yellow...??
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Dave 6:13PM (8/11/2008)
The sooner they bring them over the better. I think they would sell a lot of these, they look good are dependable and get great gas mileage. Heck, I may even buy one, could sleep in the back when out camping!
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sensitive_man 8:27PM (8/11/2008)
Or when the wife kicks you out of the house for buying a new car! :)
dm789 6:13PM (8/11/2008)
Its from Honda Civic. I think the Freed is based on Honda fit. Honda please send it here many people want a wagon civic since you discontinued the accord wagons. not everyone want to drive small SUV. or Huge minivan.
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john riley 7:16AM (8/12/2008)
I don't know what it is based on, but the width of the Stream is identical to the fit, according to numbers on the Japanese site.
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XITE29 8:00AM (8/12/2008)
I sure hope they do bring it.
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efmvii 9:03PM (8/12/2008)
I used to have a 95 Honda Odyssey... super reliable (it stood up well to my heavy footed teenage years) for the amount of utility, it used very little fuel.. compared to models with similar cargo space, it was only marginally thirstier than my 2.3L mazda 3 which i can hardly fit anything in
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Sue 10:36PM (9/04/2008)
We had a 95 Odyssey and I've been saying for years that what I need is a brand new 95 Odyssey. I'm a petite mom with 4 kids and I want a small vehicle that handles well and can hold my kids/and or friends. I already have a 2005 Odyssey for the family trips but I want a smaller, around-the-town car. Bring it back and I'd buy it in a heartbeat over the Mazda5.
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