Seems to me that Acura is actually pushing the '09 RL. I've seen commercials on TV and a number in print and came across the RL in online ads a few times. It would have been nice to see the '05 - '08 pushed a bit more but I guess if it were, we'd lose some of our exclusivity.

LL

 

Haven't seen a TV ad yet! Only in car mags.

 

That 09 commerical is not that great. It mentions the weather, but unless you knew what it was talking about it you wouldnt know the RL had weather XM. Its better than nothing but I am still not a fan.

There was a clip of an 05 commerical on youtube and it was much better. However, it is gone now.

 

I uploaded it. Its crappy quality but it was the first day it came out. All I did was rewind my DVR. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGPZOD0_nw

 

There is a variation of the two page print ad on the outside back cover of tennis magazine, which is somewhat ironic since the La Costa, CA tournament was eliminated from the tour last year. La Costa was one of the most poplular Tier 1 women's tennis events and was sponsored by Acura. Drive there in an Acura and get free parking.

 

Finally saw the RL ads on TV last week. Acura is really pushing the car, more so than the 05-08.

Gotta get this car in front of eyeballs to bring them into the dealerships.

 

acura airs about 5 commericals in 1 show at around midnight - 4AM here.

 

Yep, I'm seein a lot of tv commercials. Guess it depends what channel you watch most often.

I also agree with others, the commercial is not good. Dark night shots with lots of quick moving closeup shots of the car, like the TSX commercials. Unfortunately, it probably works for the demographics on the TSX. The RL commercial should have probably been different.

 

Acura's TV ads, on a whole, suck! I've been saying that for the past 5 years now. They really need a different marketing team.
Ever listen to a Lexus, or Infiniti TV ad? The guy who talks in those ads(Lexus), his voice(to me) exudes luxury! And Infiniti's ads are just too cool with that water thingy.

 

This MDX commerical is great IMO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNeQhTkc4S8

 

Our local PBS station usually airs TSX ads on almost any evening of the week. But, lo and behold, on the season opening of "The Closer" on TNT; there were ads both for the RL AND the RDX.

 

The 09 RL ad is on TV a lot. Doesn't clearly show the exterior much. mostly shown sideview. and what is it with steaks, every Acura commercial has a cooked steak on a plate.
I guess the good life is going to eat steak in your Acura, and then to the cardiologist.

 

I've seen a ton of the RL commercial this month (July). At least Acura is finally getting the hint to market their vehicles. The reason why the M is such a smash is because of the advertising same goes for Lexus. Those two companies make some good commercials.

 

The BMW drives great and every car mag goes off about it. Lexus is the 'cheap' Mercedes but their sales are down. Acura, well, they're in their own category I guess. Lexus got that way by 20 years of solid advertising and top notch dealer service. BMW, well, I guess it's a combination of things. Still can't believe people swallow the price of a 1 series.

 

Bob, I don't know if they are pushing or not, but to explain people buying an RL MMC and not a 310 hp AWD TL 2009 for 8k less, seems to me harder even than before... what are they thinking about? Maybe the 4.5L 2011 RL...

 

I am hearing from my dealer that the 2011 thing you are referring to will not be called an RL....the RL will remain in the lineup in its own right. How about that? Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Moreover, and even more salacious is the suggestion that he floated that they may even call that 2011 vehicle everyone is waiting for....yup, you guessed it ....Legend.

That came from some info he heard at a meeting.

 

I know, I know. I think you are absolutely right, and many here agree with you.

The better build quality of the RL may not be enough to save sales this time.

 

I don't know. In Europe the Legendi is the RL, they are 100% the same car, except for the grill and the 5hp of difference...
They can call the 2011 model as they want, the question is HOW to save such a good car like the RL from oblivion, and a new car in the lineup will not help it...

 

Everyone seems to be writing the RL's epitaph based on low sales numbers. By what strategy would Acura advance its goals wrt the RL by limiting supply (as several here have stated they seem to be doing)?

 

cutting supply makes it look like less of a failure if you go to the lot and there are 4 not 24. it's not about advancing the goals so much as not losing too much ground. in 2006 the RL was scarce because production was cut back. also, fewer RLs out there unsold means less money Honda will have to put up on each one in the form of trunk money to make them go away.

 

Acura needs to talk more about quality and reliability in their ads. I'm sure most advertising execs think that people don't care about longevity because many don't keep cars very long but the opposite is true in my opinion. If they get people to understand the stellar quality of Acura automobiles, maybe the residuals will creep-up and the leases will be better. That'll sell more cars.

Instead of advertising for steak, they should throw JD Power stats and show owners of some of those high mileage Acuras that are still on the road and had few to zero problems.

As we all know, high residuals mean great lease deals.

 

I like the high-mileage user idea.

They should find FN P90 and his 205k mile RL.