As we've expected for a few months, Honda will update its Civic for 2013, just one model year after redesigning the popular compact. It's a response to criticisms, including ours, over the car's lackluster handling and cheap interior, though we still recommend the Civic for its roomy cabin and comfortable seats. The criticism fell on receptive ears. John Mendel, head of American Honda, acknowledged the missteps in the Civic's quality late last year.

Honda says the Civic now has "interior and exterior refinements" for 2013. What exactly are they? The automaker remains mum. "This is the only info we are going to release," company spokesman Chuck Schifsky said in an email. "Our plan is to hold a media briefing regarding the changes to the Civic for the '13 model year close to the on-sale date late this fall." The Civic's downfalls have done little to stop sales, which are up 23 percent through May with slight dealer incentives. Naturally, we'll detail what's changed once Honda releases more info.

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TRAVERSE CITY -- The next generation of the Honda Civic for sale in the U.S. will be developed in North America, said Erik Berkman, president of Honda R&D Americas. Honda executives made the decision last month, Berkman said at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City. The next generation is expected around 2016. It will have multiple body styles ---- a five-door hatchback is under consideration for North America -- as well as many powertrains. It will be built in 14 plants and sold in 160 countries although 55% of global sales are in Canada and the U.S., Berkman said.

The current Civic debuted last year to mixed reviews, with many critics labeling its design bland.

"We will continue to refine the current model this fall," Berkman said. "It's the right thing to do.

"They are fairly substantial styling changes ... most notably in the interior but also some sheet metal. It's been 'sportified' a bit more but is still sophisticated."

Lessons learned have been applied to the all-new 2013 Accord that goes on sale this fall. Pricing has not been released for Honda's highest-volume vehicle. The current model starts at $22,270, including delivery charges.

The Accord plan was done and being executed when criticism of the Civic came out, prompting changes before the concept was shown in January at the North American International Auto Show.

Wednesday, Honda released teaser photos of the production versions of the new sedan and coupe.

The ninth-generation Accord goes on sale as Honda celebrates the 30th anniversary of manufacturing in the U.S. at the Marysville, Ohio, plant that will have been building the Accord for three decades in November.

But Berkman said Honda did not plan the timing, nor are there anniversary editions in the works.

The Accord competes in the largest and most hotly contested segment with strong entries including the new Ford Fusion, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima and the Hyundai Sonata as well as the perennially strong Toyota Camry.

Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota Motor Sales, would not say whether the Camry can maintain past volumes of 400,000 sales annually, but he said he welcomes competition in the segment that accounts for 1.8 million sales annually.

So far this year, Honda has sold more than 183,800 Accords in the U.S. -- up almost 28%.

At this year's Detroit auto show, Honda announced that its revived NSX supercar will be developed and built in the U.S. in a dedicated facility.

Honda has engineered more than 20 new models in North America over the years, including the Odyssey minivan, Ridgeline and Pilot and Acura MDX, Berkman said.

About 85% of the vehicles Honda sells in the U.S. are assembled in North America, Berkman said, and about 30% of the North American lineup was developed here.

Eventually, virtually all Honda products sold in North America will be built here, he said.

2013 Honda Odyssey: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: A backup camera is now standard across the lineup 
• Price change: TBA 
• On sale: This fall 
• Which should you buy, 2012 or 2013? The 2012 is the winner of Cars.com's Ultimate Minivan Shootout; there's no need to wait for 2013. 

For the 2013 model year, the Honda Odyssey gets a standard backup camera on all trims. Previously, a backup camera was only available on the EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite trims. For 2013, the Pilot, Accord, Crosstour, CR-Z and Ridgeline also get a standard backup camera.

Besides the backup camera, and some minor, yet to be specified, content changes on some trims, the Odyssey carryovers to 2013 relatively unchanged. The 2013 Odyssey will be available in LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Touring Elite trims.

The 2013 Honda Odyssey goes on sale later this fall. There's no word yet on pricing.