Down 23% from last year.

Also, for the whole year, RL sales are down 23%.

Could be worse, I guess.

 

I still wonder how many of those were 08 RLs vs 09? It will be difficult to assess what the 09 MMC impact is as bigger issues are affecting auto sales in general.

But the largest drop in the Acura line up from last year to this year was the RDX (-28%). They better hurry up and uglify it to justify those numbers.

 

I guess its better than -40%.

When is the redesigned V8 RL (and hopefully long wheelbase) coming....2011....they might want to get that out sooner.

 

Honda sales were down 24% so I guess the RL is doing well...relatively.

LL

 

So who were the guys that thought the 09 would improve sales?


Gm down 45%.

 

In keeping with the sales numbers, I have yet to see any '09 RL's or TL's on the road, other than what's been parked at the local dealer. I also just returned from a Florida vacation, and didn't see any down there.

 

I was one that thought it would improve sales a bit. But I'm not sure you can draw any conclusions yet on whether it was money well spent giving it a face lift. This economy and the recent spike in fuel costs is killing sales on all cars, especially the sub 20mpg ones.

 

"...giving it a face lift."

Actually, I'd call it a "face drop!"

LL

 

That too

 

I finally saw 1 of the road today coming at me in the opposite lane. The very 1st thing that I noticed, w/out question, was the power plenum grille. Acura was very successful in creating something that would get noticed & would immediately make u think of Acura.

Unfortunately, I could tell what car it was until after I passed it & saw the rear lights. Just to let u know, it took me a loooong time to pick out a 2004 TSX from a 2004 TL when they were coming @ me in traffic. It will probably take another year for me to tell the 2009 RL, TL & TSX apart. Well maybe not the TL bc they made the blade extra large on that 1.

Anyhow, I thought it looked very nice in motion ... maybe bc it was in my favorite color: black. Regardless, I am just glad that I finally saw 1 of the road.

 

Yesterday I was at the dealer for an A1 service and had some tires installed etc. It was 8:30am and while in the customer lounge, I saw the sales people head off to a meeting. I went out to the showroom where they had a 2009 TL, RL, and TSX, side by side. This was my first opportunity to view the '09 RL up close. My opinion of the design has not been swayed much, but I think it looked better in person because you can see much more detail than a picture can offer. It also looked better because it was beside the TL .

I then ventured outside where I saw an '05 RL with a $15K sticker on it. I wasn't able to see the mileage, but the color was black and the car looked to be in excellent shape.

I was surprised to see the salesman who sold me the RL. We talked, and I was tempted to vent my distaste for the new design trend, but given the state of the economy and the auto industry, he didn't need or deserve to hear that.

My car was ready at 10am, and I never saw another customer.

 

Much like Robarsan, when I was at the dealer, the floor was empty. No 09 RLs on the floor, but a white 08 Tech which they had discounted to $38,900. Did not know how many miles on it, but they were selling it as new.

The TSX seemed OK, the TL, did not do much for me. I saw several TLs on the lot that had the tooth painted body color.

The service area was full, so people still continue to care for the cars...

 

Shame they sold so many, I enjoy driving car that I rarely see on the road. After 2 weeks in LA traffic I only saw 1 RL-by my house no less.

 

My dealer only has 2 '09 RLs on their lot.

 

Mine has none. They sell RL's now by order only

 

Which gets back to my point that for the RL to be relevant it needs a rwd variant because the awd no matter what the perceived handling advantage will never be a big seller in the south.

 

I've actually seen a few 09 RL's on the road in Northern NJ. Car actually doesn't look that bad in person, perhaps a bit more "stately", when compared to the 08-05 RL, which looks more "sporty"