Honda Resumes Alabama Production of Redesigned Ridgeline in 2028

Production Pause and Redesign

The Ridgeline is the only unibody pickup in the U.S. market, known for its car-like ride, but it has often drawn criticism for lacking the ruggedness of body-on-frame trucks like the Ford Ranger and Chevy Colorado. The two-year production gap may test the patience of its loyal fan base, though Honda expects the redesigned model to better compete with segment leaders. Despite the pause, Honda's overall U.S. sales remain strong, buoyed by the CR-V's performance.

Emissions regulations in California forced the production halt, as the current Ridgeline could not meet the state's stricter standards without significant and costly updates. Honda decided to stop production and accelerate a redesign rather than invest in a short-term fix. The company plans to retool its Alabama factory during the pause to accommodate the new model, aiming for a 2028 restart.

Redesign Details and Strategy

Reports suggested the current model might not meet those standards, which forced Honda to plan a stop. Now the company is making it official: a new version is coming, built in the same Alabama factory, and aimed at a tougher look and feel.

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On July 23, 2026, Honda unveiled a teaser image showing the next-generation Ridgeline. That is the only hint so far of what the truck will look like. Lance Woelfer, the auto sales vice president at American Honda Motor, said the intention is to both serve loyal Ridgeline owners and enhance the vehicle's ruggedness and capability.

The big question is whether the Ridgeline will stick with its car-based production process or switch to a traditional truck assembly, known as "body-on-frame." Woelfer declined to comment on that, saying "That's been an important part of its history. Whether or not it's part of its future, I won't get into that." He added, "This is a step forward for the Ridgeline that I think everybody will appreciate."

Competitive Landscape

Meanwhile, Honda's other vehicles are doing fine.

The decision to pause Ridgeline production comes as the midsize pickup segment grows increasingly competitive. While the Tacoma dominates, other players like the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado also command significant market share. Honda's unibody design has been a differentiator yet a limitation.

By redesigning the Ridgeline to be more rugged, the company hopes to attract buyers who previously overlooked it. However, the two-year gap risks losing current owners to rivals. Honda is betting that a more capable truck will win back those customers while drawing new ones into the fold.

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