Honda confirmed what car enthusiasts have been dreading for months.
Production of the 1.5-liter Turbo Civic Si and the Manual Transmission Acura Integra A-Spec is stopping.
Not forever. But definitely after the 2026 model rolls off the line.
The pause is happening at Honda’s plant in Alliston, Ontario.
And it isn’t a retirement. It’s a hiatus.
“Due to evolving business conditions, production… will be paused at the conclusion of the 8526 model year.”
This statement from American Honda addressed the rumors head-on.
An alleged leaked email to employees first flagged the issue.
It pointed fingers at EPA certification hurdles.
Regulators require fresh certification for new model years.
The 2027 rules might be different.
Or maybe the paperwork is just a mess.
Or maybe it costs too much.
We don’t know for sure.
But the result is the same: no more 6-speed manuals at Alliston starting next year.
Why The Production Hiatus Is Happening
The primary reason appears regulatory.
EPA standards shift.
Old certifications expire.
Renewing them for a niche powertrain can be expensive and slow.
Honda didn’t explicitly say “EPA” in the official statement.
They cited “evolving business conditions.”
That’s corporate speak for “regulatory headaches.”
Still, the leak makes sense.
Certifying an engine and transmission combo isn’t trivial.
It involves testing emissions under various driving cycles.
If the current setup doesn’t pass updated tests, Honda has two choices.
- Rethink the engineering.
- Pause production until they do.
Both the Civic Si and Integra A-Spec use the same K20C1 1.5-liter turbo engine.
Pausing it saves Honda money.
Temporarily.
Inventory will linger.
Dealers still have units.
Expect them to clear stock into early 2027.
If you want one, act now.
Impact On The Alliston Plant And Other Models
The pause won’t idle the factory.
Honda will keep workers busy.
The Alliston plant will switch to producing other Civic trims.
Non-performance models.
CVT-equipped Civics.
The regular Civic.
Civic Hatchback.
Output numbers won’t drop.
Volume stays consistent.
But the soul of the factory?
That changes for a moment.
High-performance Type R models are safe.
The Honda Civic Type R is built in Suzuka, Japan.
The Acura Integra Type S is assembled in Marysville, Ohio.
These cars keep their 6-speed manuals.
They aren’t part of the Alliston run.
So if you need a manual Honda/Acura performance car today, the Type R still exists.
But the Civic Si and Integra A-Spec are gone for now.
When Will They Return?
No timeline was given.
Honda said details will come “at the appropriate time.”
That could mean sooner.
Or it could mean later.
The 2027 Civic Si might not exist.
Or it might return with updated tech.
Or updated emissions systems.
We won’t know until Honda says so.
The company promises both trims will return.
They didn’t say when.
American Honda is keeping cards close.
This is common in auto manufacturing.
Supply chain issues.
Regulatory uncertainty.
Profit margins.
Everything plays a role.
What’s certain is that the manual gearbox is dying in America.
Each pause makes it rarer.
The Integra A-Spec and Civic Si are two of the last affordable sporty compacts with a stick shift.
Their absence hurts drivers who prefer engagement over automation.
It hurts the joy of driving.
For now, enjoy what you have.
Because the window is closing.
