TORRANCE, Calif. -
The Honda Element will soon meet its end, with the 2011 edition being its swan song. American Motor Honda Co. said Friday that production of the “boxy, bold” crossover will cease after the 2011 model year.

“The Element proved that ultimate functionality can often come from thinking inside the box,” stated John Mendel, executive vice president of American Honda. “It made boxy vehicle designs cool, and Element owners continue to enjoy its unique styling and unmatched versatility.”

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2001 North American International Auto Show. At that time, it was known as the Honda Model X concept car.
The Element hit the U.S. market in December 2002, with more than 325,000 being sold in the eight years since, according to Honda.
However, after Honda moved 67,099 Elements in the U.S. during its first full year on the market in 2003, annual sales for the model declined each year from 2004 to 2009, according to Edmunds.com.
There were 14,885 Element vehicles sold last year, and through November of this year, there have been 12,961 units sold, Edmunds indicated.
“In 2003, the Element accounted for nearly 10 percent of all compact SUV sales, but this year Element is only making up 2.5 percent of the segment,” said Edmunds.com senior analyst Michelle Krebs in a report for Edmunds’ AutoObserver.com.  
“Element sales accounted for nearly 9 percent of Honda’s total sales in 2004. In the past two years, it has represented just over 1 percent of Honda’s total sales,” she continued.
Jessica Caldwell, another senior analyst for Edmunds, also offered a bit of commentary on the news of the Element’s impending discontinuation.
“This vehicle was positioned as a ‘dorm room on wheels,’ but it never quite got the hip reputation it seeked,” she said.
“Instead of appealing to young people looking to haul surfboards and bikes, it turned out to be more popular with senior citizens who liked the Element’s interior space, versatility and relatively low price tag,” Caldwell continued.
She added: “Compact SUVs have been one of the strongest segments this decade, but the Element never proved to be a high-volume seller despite its low price. It probably suffered from too much competition — even from within its own showroom.”
Online Reaction
Visitors on Edmunds’ websites offered their reactions to the announcement, as well. In an early look at their comments, here is what some had to say:
User "KarenS" on one of the forums on Edmunds’ CarSpace website said: “Anyone sorry to see this one go?”
User "greenghost," commenting on Krebs’ AutoObserver.com story, had a more positive view on the vehicle, saying: “I drive an ‘E.’ Knew it was coming, the model got a life extension last year, but this is a sad day. I heart my E! Mine is 2003 model year. It’s the ultimate urban warrior car.
“Really easy to park in tight spaces on LA’s crowded streets. Everyone that rides is always amazed at the interior space, much more back seat room than most midsize sedans,” greenghost continued. “Standard audio input jack and power port, and a factory subwoofer on EX trim … and this is back in 2003, on a non-lux relatively entry-priced vehicle!”