ridgeline production pause raises questions about hondas health The Honda Ridgeline isn't going away, but it's going to disappear for a while. According to a report from Automotive News, Honda will pause production of its midsize pickup for roughly 18 months beginning late this year. The rationale comes down to emissions regulations and an aging powertrain that can no longer keep pace with standards. The Ridgeline still uses an older version of Honda's single overhead cam, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, rather than the newer dual-overhead-cam engine found in vehicles like the Pilot and Passport. While Honda hasn't officially confirmed the emissions issue, the report insinuates that the older-spec engine no longer aligns with regulatory requirements. ridgeline production pause raises questions about hondas health These 10 Vehicles Got Hit Hardest by Rising Fuel Prices Honda declined to comment directly on the production pause, but the company made it clear the Ridgeline still has a future. "Ridgeline remains an important model in our lineup and one of our top conquest models with unique appeal within the industry pickup segment," a Honda spokesperson said in a statement. "The Ridgeline will continue to play an important role in our product lineup now and in the future." The future reportedly includes a heavily refreshed Ridgeline arriving sometime in the second half of 2028. Just don't expect an all-new generation just yet, though. The updated truck is expected to receive revised styling, some updated technology, and - most importantly - Honda's newer V6 engine. A fully redesigned next-generation Ridgeline reportedly won't arrive until the early 2030s, when Honda transitions the truck to a new hybrid powertrain. ridgeline production pause raises questions about hondas health While the Ridgeline has always been the unconventional choice in the midsize truck segment, buyers have typically remained loyal. The move doesn't totally make sense, though. Perhaps it's the truck's limited sales relative to build cost, that's the real answer. Speculatively, maybe Honda wants to focus capacity on the faster-selling and profit-heavy Passport and Pilot, which run down the same line in Alabama. The Odyssey uses the same SOHC, and yet there's no indication that Honda is thinking about pulling the minivan from the market. The disappearing act comes during a troubling time for Honda, with losses mounting, the automaker has already delayed several future products, including next-generation versions of the Accord, Odyssey, HR-V, Acura MDX, and Integra, as the company parses its long-term electrification and emissions strategy. Audi Q9 Interior: All The Details