By The Chronicle Staff

Fans of affordable performance cars recently received disappointing news, as Honda confirmed it will temporarily pause production of two of its most popular manual-transmission models following the 2026 model year.

The production pause affects the Honda Civic Si and the Acura Integra A-Spec equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, two vehicles that have long been favorites among driving enthusiasts.

Honda said the move is temporary and that both models are expected to return in the future, though the company has not announced a timeline.

Honda cited “evolving business conditions” as the reason for the decision. Reports indicate the pause is likely connected to upcoming emissions certification requirements for the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine paired with the six-speed manual transmission. Rather than redesign the current powertrain for what could be a short production cycle, Honda appears to be preparing for the next generation of the vehicles.

The affected vehicles are assembled at Honda’s manufacturing facility in Alliston, Ontario. Production capacity previously used for the Civic Si and manual Integra will be shifted to other Civic models during the pause.

The announcement does not affect Honda’s higher-performance manual models. The Honda Civic Type R and Acura Integra Type S will continue production as planned. Those vehicles use a different 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and are built at separate facilities, including the Integra Type S, which is produced locally at the Marysville Auto Plant.

Manual transmissions have become increasingly rare in the U.S. automotive market as buyers continue to favor automatic transmissions and electrified vehicles. Even so, the Civic Si has remained one of the country’s most recognizable and affordable enthusiast cars, offering a six-speed manual transmission as its only gearbox.

Honda emphasized that this is a pause—not the end of the Civic Si or manual Integra. The automaker has confirmed that an all-new Civic Si is planned for a future generation, with additional details expected in the coming years.

"The Honda Civic Si has set the standard for affordable performance for four decades, and the all-new next-generation Civic Si will carry that tradition forward for enthusiast drivers when it returns to the Honda lineup," Lance Woelfer, vice president of Auto Sales at American Honda Motor Co., Inc., said in a company press release July 23.

This is the fourth time Honda has paused Civic Si production over the years, including 1988, 1996-1998 and most recently in 2021.

For drivers who have been considering purchasing a Civic Si or a manual Acura Integra, the announcement may increase demand for the remaining 2026 inventory. Once those vehicles are sold, enthusiasts may have to wait until Honda introduces the next generation before a new manual version becomes available. ■