Honda Says Civic Has ‘Ammunition’ to Hang On as Top Compact Car

Honda Motor Co.’s Civic, stung by critical reviews and tight U.S. supply in 2011, has outsold rival small cars and the company has enough “ammunition” to hold the spot, an executive said.

U.S. sales of Civic sedans and coupes rose 45 percent to 48,970 in the year’s first two months, ahead of Toyota Motor Corp.’s Corolla, a perennial challenger, and General Motors Co.’s Cruze. After supply disruptions last year, Honda now has enough North American capacity to make Civic the top-selling compact, even if that isn’t a target, said Tetsuo Iwamura, chief operating officer for North America.