Mpunk

I have to admit, even though I still don't like the styling (esp. the rear), even I was caught off guard by this report, released a few hours ago.

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- In its first full month of sales, the all-new 2009 Acura TL is off to a good start with October sales of 4,340, up 22.2 percent over October 2007 sales based on daily selling rate*. Month-to-date, Acura total car sales were 6,426, up 2.0 percent. Total Acura sales for October 2008 were 10,108, down 24.5 percent versus October 2007 sales.

"The TL has long been Acura's best-selling sedan and the all-new TL is continuing that trend," said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales. "With bold new styling, two engine choices and the first-ever availability of Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM), the 2009 TL is the perfect vehicle to advance the Acura brand."

The new-for-2009 TSX was Acura's next best selling sedan with 1,844 sold in October followed by the RL luxury performance sedan with 272 sold. The MDX luxury SUV led Acura light truck sales with 3,005 sold while the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV tallied 647 units. Acura year-to-date** sales are 125,936 units, down 16.2 percent versus 2007 sales.

For media information and high-resolution photos of Acura vehicles, please visit www.acuranews.com. For consumer information, please visit www.acura.com.

* The daily selling rate is calculated with 27 selling days for October 2008 and 26 selling days for October 2007.
** Year-to-date sales based on 257 days for 2008 versus 256 days for 2007.


American Honda Vehicle Sales For October 2008

Month-to-Date
October October DSR**
2008 2007 % Chg.
Acura Division Total 10,10812,886 -24.5%
RSX 0 0
TL *4,340 3,421 22.2%
TSX 1,844 2,308 -23.1%
RL272 365 -28.2%
MDX * 3,005 4,855 -40.4%
RDX *647 1,937 -67.8%
Selling Days 2726


Year-to-Date
October October DSR**
2008 2007% Chg.

Acura Division Total 125,936 149,612 -16.2%
RSX 1 295 -99.7%
TL * 39,99948,493 -17.8%
TSX27,98228,315 -1.6%
RL 4,038 5,284 -23.9%
MDX * 39,89347,809 -16.9%
RDX * 14,02319,414 -28.0%
Selling Days 257 256

* Honda and Acura vehicles are made of domestic and global sourced
parts.
** Daily Selling Rate

SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Mpunk

To clarify, Acura doesn't differentiate sales by model years (automakers usually don't release this info), so presumably left-over 3G TL sales are included in this mix. Acura has had more than a few of this left in inventory so how many of these TL sales were '09s vs. 3G-ers remains an open question. But undoubtedly the '09s are selling pretty good even in this crummy economy.

This is pretty notable considering how controversial the new TL's styling is and how bad the credit markets are. But then again the '09 TSX outsold the TL sales prior to the '09's introduction so it remains to be seen if this holds up.

KeithL

So I'm a bit skeptical here, first the overall number is TL not 09 vs. 08 TL, so they sold 4,340 TLs combined, so there is no 09 breakdown, seeing as the 08 has a bargin price with $3500 rebate I wonder how many of those are 08 vs. 09. I have seen more NEW 08 models ont he road (temp tags) than 09 (only seen 1). What is interesting is the TSX is down so much, it is year one body for 09 and they litterally have no 08's left so that says TSX is tanking, sure some of it is the poor economy.

KeithL

I woudl say they are selling OK overall, not to say 09 is, but I thought in 05 or 06 Acura sold like 70K TLs, so at this rate, yse economy is hurting them, but the new model and deeply discounted 08's are not boosting sales, I want to see G35 sales, as over the summer Infiniti G35 was outselling the TL. And of course Infiniti is stupid now, they keep delaying the G37 sedan until they clear out more 08's so their HP king is not here yet in any quantity.

KeithL

Looks like G35 Sedan sales are way down as well, only 2642 last month and only 37,545 YTD down from almost 45,000 YTD last year so Acura may still hold the lead here.


http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...03/216316.html

http://www.autospies.com/news/Nissan...id-28-6-36968/

Mpunk

Excellent point. Yes, Acura dealers are selling the remaining '08s at pretty good deals so I would agree with that. I guess we'd have to wait for 1Q09 (Jan-Mar '09) results to see how this trend continues.

For the record, I don't think automakers have ever released year-specific info - after all, why should they? If they publicly release internal info that shows that their remaining '08s are outselling the more plentiful '09s, that would be a PR disaster! I'm not saying that this is the case, just that if it is, then Acura would not be wise to admit it. No automaker would.

I am surprised at how much the TSX sales have tanked, however. The TSX started off to a very strong start and now plummeted.

Baapo

They were offering ridiculous incentives on the 08 Type S when I was shopping for my TSX...so, we won't really get a good idea of 09 sales figure and impact till next month...

On a totally different note, I'm shocked at the TSX sales decline...given the fact that it's the only car with a grille that works...

DivinDude

Seems that TSX are down as are the RL .. could it be that the cheese-grater grille isn't catching on? I expected higher TL sales as the 'must-havers' would have lined up already. My local dealer is loaded full of 09 TL's .. they've started sending grilles out for painting as people are making comments of not liking the cheap-look of a huge chunk of primer-gray plastic on the front

KeithL

I don;t think we'll know until early 09, I suspect there will be pockets of 08s around through year end. Look at Infiniti, they have now twice delayed the 09 G37 sedan due to excess 08 inventory. Until you purge 08 inventory the sales numbers will be skewed.

KeithL

Ironically the only 09 Acura sedan I think looks good is the new RL. Although I have to say I don;t know if Acura can reclaim the mojo of the 1G TSX and 3G TL, both were really styled great, they appealed to a large audience, I supect the grill and more bold styling wis too polarizing for some. Every day I wake up and hope I can like the 4G, I have owned 5 3G TLs and want a 4G, but won't buy what I don't love.

CL6

The 08 TLs are inflated the sales numbers by huge amounts. Just look at the numbers on the TSX... now that all of the 08s are gone it dropped like a rock. And the TSX should be selling well what with its 4 cylinder engine and all...

I bet as soon as the 09 TLs have to sell themselves because there'll be no 08s left you'll see that number drop like a rock, too.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I'd say the drop with the TSX is mainly due to the economy as well as the discount you guys are talking about on the 08 TL. The MSRP for the 08 TL is $33k I believe. And I think one of you said there's a $3500 rebate on that, making it $29.5k. A brand new TSX is around $29 I think. See the problem? I doubt there's any incentive going on with the TSX, a typical buyer when going into the dealership, shopping for a $30k entry luxury sedan, I'm pretty sure a lot of them would buy the 08 TL instead of the 09 TSX simply because the TL is supposed to be a class above and it got a V6 while selling at the same price as the TSX.

In short, some potential TSX buyers bought a TL instead, while some couldn't afford it due to the economy.

shooter

I haven't seen any 09 model on the road here in the bay area & i drive 25 miles on 101/880 daily one way .... so the Tl numbers no doubt have 08 numbers mixed in it ... also the discount in 08 TL will lure quite a few TSX buyers into buying a TL instead ....

overall this economy is kiiling auto sales across the board ....

Code3forJC

The spokesperson from Acura, quoted in the OP, is full of it. The 2009 with two engine choices and SH-AWD...blah blah blah...IT AINT EVEN OUT YET! How many SH-AWD's did they sell in October?

What a crock! The 2009's at my local dealers are piling up and I still haven't seen one on the road and I drive almost 100 miles a day round trip and at least another 40 patrolling the mean streets of Long Beach.

I see at least a dozen 3G's EVERY DAY. I have yet to see a 4G, and I see very few 09 TSX's... so few that it is still a novelty.

I hope the SH-AWD saves the brand, all this talk about the economy is NOT making up for the lackluster sales...if they aren't using that excuse now, they won't be able to use it later.

Slash the price on that $40k TL and we will see.

I am skeptical...at best.

Linnley

Relax, breath deep, relax....

The SH-AWD version is not available yet....and the volitile markets have everyone running for security.

OBAMA will win today and the dawn of a new USA will begin...........

KeithL

Good point, deep discounts on 08 TL is probably swaying some to skip over the TSX. But then surprisingly not everyone knows about the rebate. I was in my dealer a few weeks ago talking to my sales guy and telling his customer how much I loved my Type-S and he woudl love one too esoecially since you get $3500 rebat now, sales guy looked like he wanted to kill me. Afterward he told me the guy did not know about th erebate and he was not planning on telling him unless it woudl make the sale. Sales guys are sales guys and they prey on the still large quantity of uneducated shoppers!

kobi2002

I think acura is covering the #'s because of the mixed sales of the left over deep discounts of the 08's and 09's. honda across the board did bad as well as the whole US car companies. if acura is doing good this month, next month will be a diffrent story.

kobi2002

Do you expect any diffrent. I saw a salesman almost sell an 08 tl-s for sticker last week. it was only when the customer found out that the 09's came in and found out that there was a rebate. he got up and left. Sales people are worst than lawyers

KeithL

No, what always amazes me is how many stupid people there are. In these days of Internet where you can find our invoice, holdback and incentives, 15 minutes of searching can save you thousands and yet people are dumb!!

Ikko

Could not agree more, lol!

LuvMyTSX

Only 647 RDXs sold? WOW. Sounds like it's becoming the next RL.

I've only seen 1 new TL on the road since it came out. Saw it last Thursday night. Doesn't seem like it's selling well, at least in my area.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

My neighbor has one. That's the only one I've seen on the road.

mickey3c

personally I am not worried about the sales numbers or acura's numbers vs infiniti. I could care less unless they cut out a model that I would want to buy in the future. It had not been good and I know that many of the sales going on right now have to do with getting rid of the 08s. When you hear auto sales at an all time low for more than 30 years, it's bad for everyone.

Type34

Hmm, these sales figures are interesting indeed. I would venture a guess that the majority of those TL sales are still '08s. There are approximately 250 Acura dealers in the U.S., so with 4,340 TL sales, that means each dealer averaged about 17 TL sales last month.

About a week and a half ago I was at a popular Acura dealer in Orange County and they had sold 2 '09 TLs thus far and just had 2 on the lot (one being a dealer-optioned $43K showroom model). At a quick glance, I would say they had about 10-12 '08s left. The inventory is just not there to support record TL sales for the 2009 model.

It's also amazing to me that even in this market, the MDX outsells the RDX 3-to-1 and also outsells the TSX by 63%. Weird time in the auto industry...

Sonor Kid 2

Acura should be comparing 2009 model sales with 2004 model sales, first year release versus first year release.
I will be the difference in the numbers is huge favoring the 2004 model year sales.
2009 sales with drop like a rock once the 2008's are gone.

Colin

Doesn't surprise me one bit. The MDX and RDX get virtually the same fuel economy, and the MDX is a lot more car. IMO, there are a lot of buyers that are not affected by the economy in their day to day paycheck. These people still have money (in the near term)

'08 TLs "stealing sales" from the TSX is not a 'problem' it's part of the plan. Why do you think they released the cars in the order they do? Look, the same thing happened back in 2003, outgoing TL sales slowed the sales of the (then new) TSX and everything worked out OK. The only thing different now is the uncertainty in the economy.

LuvMyTSX

My dealer has 81 TLs on the lot right now, 78 of which are 2009s. They've been sitting for a while now.

Colin

The pending release of the SH model may have something to do with this. Lots of folks go into a 'holding pattern' just before a new release. If you could afford both, would YOU buy a FWD weeks before you could see the AWD?

LuvMyTSX

That could be the case. Although most of the "average folk" might not even know an AWD model is coming. Who knows.

Colin

It might also be the pending new G37 or new A4. I see it all the time. Whenever something suddenly slows, I look up from the 'Acuracentric' lives we live and scan the horizon. For example, before the Mini debuted, the RSX suddenly tanked. Things picked up nicely once the car came out because people made one choice or another.

jmaikamon

I counter your skepticism with reality! What EXACTLY would Acura gain for reporting false numbers? Except maybe hell from stock holders as to why they report more money than they actually made!!!

CL6

The facts say engine/model/year choices are not broken down in sales so the rest is conjecture but my buddy at Acura says they've been selling tons of 08 TLs but he's only sold 1 09 TL.

kobi2002

I can agree on that

nhousepro

The Acura Dealer here in Pensacola is having a hard time selling them! They however have sold alot of 08 TL which have been discounted $4000 with the release of the 09 TL.

Code3forJC

Okay in the spirit of honest and full disclosure. I finally saw a 4G TL on the road today as I took a couple of miscreants to juvenile hall.. It was the gray color and it looked better in motion than it did sitting still.

I knew it was the TL by the grille..be that good or bad, its the facts.

As for those advising me to relax, chill, take a breath, etc. I am relaxed. I am chilling. And last I checked, still breathing.

I think the 4G will sell eventually, I do not think it will approach the 3G due to the higher pricing and weaker economy. What better reason to give the people what they want?

If the numbers are still low in six months, Acura will blame the economy and I am sure the economy will have a part. They have not yet acknowledged the polarizing effect of the new design on sales, interest, or even test drives! They are using 4G's for loaners for god's sake! The car is not a lost cause, I would like to upgrade to one, but I am going to wait...I waited for two years for this, I can go a little longer.

mickey3c

I think people would be better off waiting regardless of the economy to buy the 4g. I have had experiences buying a new generation model from acura and while nobody builds a perfect car, let's just say I would wait till the 10s are out...

Colin

It's not that much more than the car it replaces. Yes, it is more on the top end, but it offers more too. I think the car is nicely positioned if the economy continues to flounder. I've already seen a few situations where customers in an Mercedes E class are giving the Acura a second look. Realtors who are preparing for a downturn are not necessarily going to re-lease a new E but still want the size and features. Ironically, the traditional Acura values might be back in vogue?

If the numbers are low relative to the competitors, then you can start to draw some conclusions. If the entire market is depressed, then I doubt the styling had anything to do with it.

Our store uses all the cars as loaners, from TSXs to MDXs, so it's reasonable you'll see some showing up as loaners soon. Dealers cannot 'turn' a regular car into a service loaner. It needs to be ordered from the factory as such so it's not an accident.

Master47

Great point...I did a quick search to find out...

Oct. 2003
Article Excerpt
TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Record sales of the all-new 2004 TL drove October Acura sales to 14,731, a 21.7 percent increase compared to last year, Acura announced today. In its first month on sale, the dramatically redesigned TL sold 6,031 units, eclipsing the previous October...

(I would assume the 6K number includes the 2003 model in the same way that the 2008 model is counted for this Oct. sales, but it doesn't read that way...)

Oct. 2008
"The luxury sedan, designed and built in central Ohio, sold 4,340 units in the first full month of the redesign, up 22 percent from the same month last year."

Granted, we are in a different economic time

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

bingo.

KeithL

Having owned a 04 TL I woudl absolutley agree!!