After a considerable struggle for the last few years, the new generation of Honda Ridgeline is arriving next year. Honda sold 16,464 units of the Ridgeline last year, as opposed to the 33,875 a year earlier, reporting a more than 50 percent drop of sales. Because of high fuel costs, the sales of pickup trucks have declined over the last couple of years. Adding to this fact, the Ridgeline has seen no change for five years and has fallen behind in competition to other new trucks in the market.

Honda’s Assistant Vice President of Product Planning, Vicki Poponi, said today, “The customers love the Ridgeline. It’s really a unique truck. It’s its own segment. But because it’s a niche vehicle, they’re really aren’t many people out looking for it. It’s also a bit older than we like.”

The new Ridgeline is expected to offer better fuel efficiency than the current version, which yields an estimated 15 miles per gallon in the city and 20 miles per gallon on highways. The new model is expected to be of the same size as earlier, sporting a more aerodynamic design and lesser weight. It is scheduled to debut in 2011, although no statement has yet been made regarding its official debut.