Honda tumbles 10% on mixed results for core models

LOS ANGELES -- American Honda's September sales dropped 10 percent from the year-earlier period to 105,563 units. Despite the stumble, year-to-date sales were up 9 percent.

Sales of Honda-brand vehicles fell 9 percent in September to 93,915. Acura Division also saw a hiccup from its solid 2013, with sales off 19 percent to 11,648.

Nearly all Honda and Acura volume vehicles showed declines, which the company attributed to a shorter selling month: two fewer selling days this September than in September 2012.

The Civic countered the slide, rising 7 percent to 22,983. Last September the 2012 Civic was in sell-down mode as the freshened model was being prepared for launch. Civic sales are up 8 percent this year.

"Even as we catch our breath from all-time record August sales and with two fewer selling days this month, the Honda brand continues on a strong pace for the year," John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda, said in a statement. "The already strong appeal of the Accord lineup will grow even greater with the launch late this month of the 2014 Accord Hybrid."

Among Honda-brand vehicles, the volume-leading Accord fell 14 percent to 25,176. The worst percentage hit among volume vehicles came from the Odyssey, off 32 percent to 7,714.

At Acura, the RDX compact crossover was the only gainer, with a mild 3 percent increase. But the recently redesigned MDX mid-sized crossover paced the division with a 3 percent slip to 4,539. No Acura sedan sold more than 1,400 units, with the TL off 66 percent.