jhr3uva90

I know we've discussed this before, but I recently found a quote from Mike Spencer, Acura's executive VP of sales. He stated, "We expect to sell around 12,000 new RLs in the first year." What do you all think of this? Is this a misquote? Did he mean model year or calendar year?

http://www.autobytel.com/content/res...cle&aid=139069

vp911

I assume this means for the model year, but if that is the case, maybe resale values won't tank for the 06' model year. It would be a great improvement.

jhr3uva90

By the way, Mike Spencer is a PR guy/spokesman, not an executive VP.

hondamore

My estimate of total model year 05 RL sales is over 22,000. They sold about 5,000 (5218 total RL sales less the straggler 04 RL sales)before Jan 05, and 15,000 in the calendar year (17,500 total RL sales less the new 06 RL sales in Nov. and Dec.) PLUS a couple of thousand or more up here in Canada (the only other market where the RL is sold). The RL was initially targeted at "older" buyers but the wonderful handling soon made buyers out of many "younger" test drivers. Even at discounted prices in some markets, the RL did it's job for the overall Acura brand. Guaranteed that those who bought the RL for $40,000 still consider it a $50,000 car and that was the role of the RL. Slowly Acura will raise it's brand image and this was the first step. The new RDX, new MDX and new NSX will continue the upward movement of the brand. If they can ever reach the level of Lexus or Mercedes is inconsequential - the primary goal will be to increase sales of the Acura models to upwardly mobile former Honda owners as well as luring over some BMW, Mercedes and Audi owners in the process.

Steve C

First time I ever saw that figure!
A definate misquote or misprint!
It would be unusual for him to speak in terms of a calender year I would think.

No car manufacturer on earth would tool up for a new model year to only build only 12,000 units at 50k a pop!

jhr3uva90

For one thing, Honda isn't building just 15,000 units; that's just the number for the U.S. market. They will build for Japan and eventually Europe and Australia. That should enhance the economy of scale for the car. In addition, Honda can get away with selling fewer of the RL because it is based on the Global Midsized Platform, so most of the car's parts are shared with other models. Think about this: how many M3's does BMW plan on selling in the U.S.? How many CLK's does Mercedes plan on selling? Hell, how many of the Mercedes minivans do you think people will buy in the U.S.? These are are niche products.