Honda is teasing a new American-made mid-size pickup truck

Honda Motor The next-generation model of its Ridgeline pickup truck will be produced in the United States after a temporary halt in production later this year, it confirmed on Thursday.

The future of the midsize pickup truck has been in flux amid reports that there may be a temporary halt to production due to the vehicle not meeting California emissions regulations.

There will be a temporary halt in production of the pickup truck later this year at the Alabama plant that produces the vehicle, with assembly returning to the facility within two years, likely in 2028, the Japanese automaker said Thursday.

“The goal is to continue serving customers who have been loyal to the Ridgeline,” Lance Wolfer, vice president of auto sales at Honda Motor Co. of America, told CNBC. “But one of the things we want to move forward with in the future is more power for that car, more capability.”

Wolfer declined to comment on whether the more robust capability would involve moving the vehicle from a vehicle-based production process to more traditional truck assembly, known as “body-on-frame,” which is how most trucks are manufactured in the United States.

“This has been an important part of its history. Whether that’s part of its future or not, I won’t get into that,” Wolfer said. “This is a step forward for Ridgeline that I think everyone will appreciate.”

Expanding the capability of the Ridgeline, known more for a smooth ride than solidity, could help expand buyers for the car.

Ridgeline sales fell about 3% during the first half of the year. The company has sold approximately 41,000 to 52,000 Ridgelines annually since 2021. That compares to more than 270,000 units sold of the class-leading Toyota Tacoma in 2025.

Honda’s confirmation of the new truck comes as the CR-V compact crossover led U.S. vehicle sales during the first half of the year for the first time ever.

CR-V sales are up about 6% from last year, as the Ford F-Series pickups and Toyota Rav4 crossovers, which have led sales in recent years, face production bottlenecks.