Honda FR-V to be phased out

* Production ends in August * 13,531 sold in the UK * Still on sale, from 16,700...

Honda FR-V to be phased out

Honda is phasing out its FR-V six-seat MPV.

The final car will roll off the production line in August and there are no plans to replace it.

Launched in 2004, Honda says that 13,531 FR-Vs have been sold in the UK. The only other MPV that uses the same unusual seating layout with two rows of three seats is the Fiat Multipla.

Too big to survivev
Tom Gardner, head of marketing for Honda Cars UK, said: 'The FR-V has been very successful in its niche market, but the MPV sector is a mature one and downsizing has become the dominant trend more recently. With cars such as the Jazz and Insight,l we can serve this emerging market very well.'

The FR-V remains on sale, with prices starting at £16,700 for 1.8-litre petrol models and £18,000 for 2.2-litre diesel versions.

No front-wheel-drive CR-V
While more family buyers are choosing the CR-V SUV, Honda has confirmed that, unlike rivals such as the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan, the range won't be expanded to include a cheaper, front-wheel-drive model.