While our team is putting together our recommendations for the best lawn mowers of the year, there's a tinge of sadness that Honda is exiting the gas lawn mower market. We can't recommend a Honda mower all the time, and its commercial HRC line has been our top choice for self-propelled mowers for the past few years. While it's really disappointing to see them go, it's not quite over yet.
As early as October 2022, Honda issued a notice through its dealer network that it would stop producing gas lawn mowers starting in September 2023. It plans to keep selling the devices until they sell out through 2024.
Why is Honda getting out of the gas lawn mower market?
Like many manufacturers, the pandemic has certainly taken a toll on Honda's ability to keep production running. Parts supply disruptions forced Honda to temporarily suspend production at its highest-volume plant in Sweepsonville, North Carolina, in March 2020.
That was two and a half years before the announcement, though. While supply issues remain in many industries, the state of outdoor power equipment is not the same as many products. Accelerated growth in battery-operated lawn care equipment for homeowners and professionals is certainly part of the conversation. Shifts in consumer demand and Honda's ability to maintain profitability in the segment were also contributing factors.
Statement from Honda Power Equipment
"The decision to discontinue lawn mower production was driven by market forces such as stricter environmental regulations, changing customer preferences and our focus on adding profitable products to our portfolio. Honda will continue to sell its remaining lawn mowers and horticultural product lines, as well as industrial power products such as GX engines, generators and pumps, and continues to support its service and parts business in the U.S. market."
Honda Dealer Interactive Statement
The aftermath of Honda's exit from the gas lawn mower market
It's worth noting that Honda hasn't introduced a battery-powered platform like most of its rivals. Does this mean that Honda is no longer using lawn mowers at all? It's hard to say yet.
What we do know is that Honda makes some of the best gas-powered lawn mowers around. It goes beyond its legendary small engine to include a field-tested and proven design that's been around longer than some brands have even been around.
That said, I hope we see the return of Honda in some form. Even if Honda chooses not to, the industry will continue. Remember, this is a large company run by very smart people. If it makes sense for them to re-enter the market, I'd put my money on an excellent product and continue their tradition of high-quality, reliable equipment.
Of course, other brands will still offer mowers with Honda engines. As long as the rest of the build can keep up, the Honda's reliability will continue to deliver as a power plant.
Discover more Honda power equipment products here.