Honda is delaying production of the next-generation CR-V by about three months as strong demand for its current best-selling SUV gives the Japanese automaker an incentive to keep existing production running.

Production of the redesigned CR-V has been pushed back to April 2027. Honda has not independently confirmed the delay. The company produces the CR-V at plants in Indiana and Ontario, Canada.

The timing highlights the strength of Honda’s US business. Company sales have risen nearly 5% this year, while third-quarter sales reached their strongest level since 2019.

CR-V sales have increased by almost 10%, putting the SUV on course to become the best-selling vehicle in the US outside Ford’s F-Series pickup range.

Honda’s decision comes as Toyota faces challenges ramping up production of the redesigned RAV4, creating an opportunity for rivals to capture customers in the highly competitive compact SUV market.

The CR-V’s strong performance has also contributed to tighter inventories, making a premature switch to a new generation potentially costly if production problems disrupt supply.

Honda is reportedly also reconsidering plans to add the next-generation Civic sedan to its Indiana production line, where the Civic hatchback and CR-V are built. The move could allow the plant to concentrate resources on the CR-V and potentially increase output.

While the delay is relatively short, it reflects a broader manufacturing strategy: Honda appears determined to protect momentum in a key market while ensuring the transition to its next CR-V generation is executed without the production disruptions that have affected competitors.