Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

TMQ

Acura probably finds themselves too late to cancel this X6 fighter project.

Anyway, I guess it's just based on the MDX platform, trim a bit weight & size and it's good to go.

Seriously, I don't have a big problem with another SUV from Acura. If they can make a profit, good for them. As long as the front end doesn't get the TL grille, the vehicle is relatively safe.

The development cost is probably not that high. Acura MDX is a good vehicle, and it should have been offered in 2 rows, with 3rd row optional.

By the way, I think the X6 looks fine. Infiniti FX however looks quite ugly.

Costco

Bill and Bob


I love the part about the X6.... my sentiments exactly

TSX69

Honda Launches Dedicated Finance Arm for Acura

After more than 20 years of going through Honda Financial Services to provide financing to its buyers, Acura is finally getting its own finance arm. Honda sees the creation of Acura Financial Services as a major milestone in Acura’s history.

“This is just the first step of a multifaceted effort to further enhance customer service and raise the brand image for Acura, the luxury nameplate that pioneered the launch of Japanese luxury automobiles in the U.S.,” Honda said in a statement.

“With our most recent ranking in the top two, three and four positions in the luxury lease segment of the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates Consumer Financing Satisfaction Study, the timing is perfect to utilize our years of experience and expertise to create financial services that will meet the needs of Acura clients,” said Stephen E. Smith, senior vice president of American Honda Financial Services.

Smith said that “the creation of separate Acura-branded financial services parallels other moves to strengthen and differentiate the Acura luxury brand.”

stright-(paint)balling

this is my take on Acura(i work for Honda so i got a inside view):
Honda(Acura's parent company) is VERY conservative. we are just trying to weather through this storm known as the "economy." I think Honda and somewhat even Toyota is doing any bold changes or moves for a few different reasons.
#1.when you roll out new models it cost money. LOTS of money from the time the people in R and D sit down and say okay lets build this type or size of car or truck till it's ready to be in the show room.
#2. i think Honda and Toyota gonna win by default. what i mean by that is.
GM and Chrysler about dieing. Ford isn't making money(but not bad as the other 2) so when the american automotive makers collapse the japanese and euros will take over the scene.

chill_dog

I'm sorry, but having a separate financing arm is the last thing they needed to do to move into Tier 1. Nobody cares who they write the check out to, they care what they're writing the check for. Change the core products, not the irrelevant ancillaries.

Moog-Type-S

...because everyone was asking for a dedicated finance arm.....it was really the only thing missing from Acura.

Colin

Just another piece in the puzzle. Acura Financial Services makes a lot of sense and really doesn't cost much other than our spiffy new blue themed contracts. (actually the same but with blue in place of the older red...)

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I wouldn't care if I wrote a check out to Dodge, or Chrysler because today I learned I'm an idiot and now qualify to buy a Dodge, errr I mean Chrysler.

PG2G

...because Acura can only do one thing at a time

phee

iTrader: (5)

in related news. Dr. dre will be releasing his new album within the next 3 months

LuvMyTSX

It streamlines things. Makes sense.

Edward'TLS

Ok, let's figure out how much this separate financial arm will do to elevate the Acura brand's Tier-1 status : NIL !

and, how much damn good Tier-1 level cars will do to elevate the Acura brand's Tier-1 status : PLENTY.

VTEC Racer

This is the same thing as having Honda etched on the windows instead of Acura. I remember when people were bitching why their Acura had Honda windows. Now that it says Acura, it's one less thing to complain about.

With the finance department now saying Acura instead of Honda, it's pretty much the same thought as the windows. When your goal is to distance yourself as much as possible from your parents brand, this is an obvious and needed move.

I'm shocked at the fact that some people think that just because Acura made this move, they aren't actually working on tier one cars.

phile

^I think it's the fact that they're not working on making tier one products, or at least it doesn't seem like they are. And instead they are focusing on this.

LuvMyTSX

Just because we haven't seen a tier 1 car yet, doesn't mean they aren't working on it.

Afterall, they did say it would be a few years. They just announced their aspirations what, last year? Give it a couple years, guys. It's not an instant thing.

JD23

I think the people criticizing Honda over the establishment of Acura Financial Services are comical. Do you really think that Acura devoted its vehicle developmental budget and all of its engineering teams to the development of Acura Financial Services? I don't see how this impedes Acura's efforts to develop tier-one products.

Moog-Type-S

...but I thought the ZDX was tier one?

Nobody cares who they cut their checks to.

vybzkartel

+1 on that!

Honda(Acura) is damned if they do, damned if they don't!

When you jumped out of your mother's womb, did you start walking?
(My son just started walking 3 weeks ago. He 1y5ms...he's a preemie)

Relax people!

Moog-Type-S

That would make sense if Acura was new to the lux game....but this is not the case.....Acura is the OLDEST Asian lux brand.

They were in the game before Lexus, Infiniti....and yes...even dare I say Hyundai.

Colin

I swear some of you are delusional. This is a change in forms and letterhead and that's it. It requires no 'focus' to do this and very little cost.

Colin

No, the ZDX is not part of the Tier-1 development. Maybe Tier-1 customers care who they write their checks to? Obviously you don't, but that's ok.

Edward'TLS

LuvMyTSX

They may not be new to the game, but they just announced these new aspirations last year. That's why I say give it some time.

Edward'TLS

6-speed auto and Direct Gasoline Injection are something Acura should already be implementing in all Acura lines, even without it's intention of becoming Tier-1 nor without the "Advance" motto. We have already given Acura many couple of years, and during these times only we saw Acura continue to fall behind in terms of engine technology and true luxury brand recognition.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

x 2049484834

Acura is years behind where they should be compared to 1) how far their competitors have come along 2) how long they've been in the game.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Another set of new aspirations?

LuvMyTSX

Yes, we can all agree that they are behind and should be doing that and that and whatever. But they just announced last year that they are planning on changing!

PG2G

Regardless of what Acura is doing, you guys love to take any news (i.e. Acura looking to upgrade their dealerships, Acura specific advertising agency, Acura specific financing) and turn it into "OMG, WHERE ARE THE CARS??"

Colin

I disagree they are significantly behind on engine technology. They are behind from the 'magazine racer' point of view, but the J series can hold it's own, despite is relative lack of "paper prestige".

I wonder how long a competitors engine had been in service prior to them getting DI? Cause I think its a 'duty cycle' kind of thing. For example, Toyota was still using the straight 6 in in the IS, GS and SC. That engine dated back to Supras of the 80's and probably back to the 2000 GT of the 60's. They were well overdue for a new engine family and now they finally have it. The DI 'revolution' came up in the middle of the J series lifecycle and that's just bad luck. But lets not overlook that the J is still a very powerful and very compact engine.

chill_dog

Yeah, how silly of us to be focused on the cars . We should've been looking at the letterhead and types of muffins served all along.


I don't think anyone will deny that the J-series is a good engine; it's long in the tooth, but it's a solid motor. The problem is it's turned the wrong way.

Moog-Type-S

...because it is about the cars.

PG2G

Actually, it's not about the cars. The update to the thread is **Financing News (page 3)** Its about a piece of news that has nothing to do with cars. If you don't find the news valuable or interesting, why not sit around and wait until there actually is something car related to talk about?

I'm sorry, but it really is annoying for every update to these threads to be filled with a bunch of people crying about something unrelated.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I guess the financing is for a lawn mower.

Moog-Type-S

Please try re-reading the entire thread from page 1.
You will understand better what is being discussed over many pages.

It's not a big running pro & con about Acura financing.

Context to this thread is the key.

We voice our opinions because we want Acura to be perhaps what it once was....or what we all hope it will become.

Acura is very slow to change, and has tried many avenues it thought were paths to greatness.....so we comment on Acura as we do other brands.

We all have a "soft-spot" for Acura because most of us here either owned at one time or still own one of their vehicles.

If you can't deal with people expressing their opinions.....stay away.

PG2G

I understand exactly where you're coming from, but don't you think its silly to attack one part of what the article says (and we are seeing) is a multifaceted effort?

There really is nothing in this article worth complaining about.

phile

Fine, then do it after they've released a true tier-1 vehicle. Why do it now and wait until a few years later to introduce the real cars? Seems like a smokescreen for now, which is why it's being met with such scrutiny and cynicism.

phile

You make it seem like all the negativity is coming from idiot drunk posters. the fact is, the enthusiasts have been waiting for Acura. We understand it's a multi-facted effort, but if THIS is the best they can come up with at this time it's pretty disappointing. I mean do you see that RWD V8 sedan from Hyundai?

Moog-Type-S

No.....I'll complain about something I don't agree with...no matter what.

I don't agree that Acura needed its own finance arm to move up to the same level as the other big boys.

Acura can build out new trendy showrooms, customer lounges, come up with new finance arms, change their logo from red to blue......etc and so on.

I don't really care.

I want to see Automobiles! The kind that make your jaw-drop.....in a good way....(not like the "beak" designs.)

This forum is filled with automobile enthusiasts....this is why you have to wrap-your head around the "attacks". We love cool cars. We are excited about them.

We hope and pray Acura will begin to produce these types of cars.....sooner than later.

Colin

Why not do it now? None of the next gen products are ready to ship. They're going to do is sooner or later so what is the loss in getting it over with?