jhr3uva90

Here's a thought. . .

Honda sells the U.S. version of the Accord as the upscale Honda Inspire in Japan. I believe the next model up from the Inspire is the Legend. That might explain why the Inspire (U.S. Accord) looks so much like the Legend (U.S. Acura RL), because they are very close rungs on the same ladder.

What do you think?

Motohip

Well, I think they look similar is because they were designed by the same people?

03TL-S

ya, they all share the same designers

hondamore

Familial resemblence is a desired trait when your family is attractive, well-respected and reliable.

jhr3uva90

Yes, but does the TSX look like the U.S. Accord and the RL? Also, should the California people who designed the current TL have also designed the RL?

mrmako

Living here in Japan, I can tell you that car wise, the Inspire is one car "below" the Legend. The Legend, however, is still a $20,000 premium over the Inspire, so I don't think the Japanese consumer wants a Y5,000,000 car to look like a Y3,000,000 car.

However, as pointed out earlier, family resemblence is something Honda goes for. And customers like familiarity.

A thought that has two sides of the street. Here, the Legend is not marketed to the younger generation, but to the 50 and older crowd. A group of people that will pay a premium for a luxury car with sporting intentions (for more on this, see the Toyota Celsior / Lexus LS430 and Toyota Aristo / Lexus GS 430).

Honda markets the TSX here as the Euro Accord, and that is the sporty car. This car is for the younger generation. The US has a much broader base so it can have classes within classes (TSX being a smaller / cheaper alternative to the TL).

my 2 Yens worth.