iforyou

iTrader: (1)

^lol, honestly, if I were you, I'd definitely myself to be a very successful man....may be I'm still young? May be I don't have that many goals in life....having a house, an apartment as an investment, a nice luxury sports sedan, a decent job with a lot of money, and a mechanical engineering degree....those are the things I'm working towards...I guess once you have obtained those, you will have different, and harder to reach goals? And I think that's why your standards are much higher than mine.

biker

^ In the auto world I define success as making money - is Honda making money? It was only recently that we found out what a money pit the previous NSX was. Sure, it's nice to have a halo car, but not if it will ruin the bottom line. The money crunchers must think that this (going to RWD in the Acura sedan lineup) will make them money - they are not doing it because some customers are clamoring for it. They want the RL to sell 2K/mo like Lexus and Infiniti do, they gave it the Audi try, didn't work, so now they'll change plans. Or at least they say they'll change plans.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

As we can see, there are many opinions on what "success" can mean. This is becoming more like..philosophy..lol

Edward'TLS

Yeah, especially in developing countries. Many years ago, BMW even sold 725i (2.5L in a 7-series sedan) in India. But in wealthy North America (especially the US, less so with Canada), it's all big engines, high horsepowers rule. This is the American culture, with flat, long and straight highways stretching for miles and miles.

Iforyou, you're still young. By the time you reach our age, I'm sure you'll have a completely different mindset on what is being successful. Even different stages in life have a different criteria of defining successful.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

Yea, and the cars in the States are relatively cheaper too, compared to Canada, and I thought the cars in Canada are inexpensive too compared to cars in other countries. What I mean is that, when I was living in Hong Kong, an Accord would cost $200,000 HKD or so, back then, the exchange rate was $6HKD = $1CAD, and $8HKD = $1CAD, so that's about CAD$33333 or USD $25000. But in Canada, an Accord starts from CAD$24000, and in the States, it's under USD$20000. I think that's another reason why the States can offer more powerful cars, they are comparatively inexpensive.

Yea, I guess that's a good thing of forum, where you can see the opinions of a lot of different people.

TSX69

Acura Dealers on Board with Push for Luxury Buyers


By Sherri Cruz
Orange County Business Journal Staff

Acura isn’t a top luxury brand. But that’s the goal of Japan’s Honda Motor Co., parent of the Acura brand.

“We’re not quite at the level of Lexus, Mercedes or BMW,” said Mark McKellop, general manager for Norm Reeves Acura of Mission Viejo.

The brand is in the midst of a five-year plan to boost its luxury factor, McKellop said. It wants to be on the shopping list of auto buyers who are considering a Lexus or a Mercedes-Benz, he said.

Acura is encouraging its dealers to go upscale with their showrooms, he said. Norm Reeves Acura did just that.

It tore down its old building and built a nearly 70,000-square-foot showroom and now has the newest Acura showroom in the nation.

It doesn’t have waterfalls like Newport Lexus, he said. The dealership isn’t aiming for the four-star hotel feel, McKellop said. It wanted to be modern and state of the art, he said. Like other luxury dealers, it does have a coffee bar that serves Starbucks Coffee.

Norm Reeves Acura is targeting modest sales this year: new auto sales of 1,250 and 600 used. Construction put its sales goals behind normal levels, McKellop said.

“We were operating out of three facilities during construction,” he said.

Its 2009 sporty Acura TSX recently hit the showroom floor and the redesigned 2009 Acura RL luxury sedan and the 2009 Acura TL, a midsize luxury car, are due out this fall. Acura will soon be selling a “clean diesel,” a low-emission engine auto yet to be named.

Acura plans to add a new auto to the lineup every year, McKellop said.

The dealer is the top selling used Acura auto dealer in its district, which includes 13 dealers in the Los Angeles and San Diego regions. Used sales will be a focus this year, given the slumping economy.

Norm Reeves Acura also is a pilot store for “accelerated service,” which boosts services by dedicating dealer staff and service stalls for routine, minimal services, such as oil changes or minor tune-ups, to get people in and out quicker. It has 26 service bays.

By 2010, all Acura dealers are expected to make improvements at their dealerships, he said.

Dave Conant, founder of Newport Beach-based Conant Automotive Retail Group, owns Norm Reeves. The company owns nine dealerships altogether, McKellop said. There once was a Norm Reeves. He died in the 1970s and Conant bought the dealerships from Reeves’ wife.

godfather2

nice that they want pretty showrooms to display their new line up of not-so-pretty cars

F-C

About time. I'd say most of the dealers around here have absolutely disgraceful showrooms and service areas.

mrdeeno

And if Hyundai renovates its dealerships to be more upscale, then Accents and Elantras would be tier 1 luxury cars too.

Maybe if Acura designed a truly PREMIUM product (as in a real luxury car that can sell without heavy discounts), then maybe dealers would be willing spend to have PREMIUM storefronts.

Black Tire

what about making better cars by 2009? NO? Then a new showroom won't help then, will it?

chill_dog

I love how some people think these type of core business changes can occur over night.

PG2G

You guys done trolling? It's getting old.

Either way, this is something that we've said is necessary if they ever want to be tier-1, so its nice to see them taking some steps.

fsttyms1

Its a step in the right direction, now they need to make many service departments more accountable and treat customers better. That and make a better product

mrdeeno

Let's see...Acura's been around for 20 years, and only NOW are they talking about being tier 1, having better showrooms, and they still don't have a production V8/RWD. The NSX was HOW OLD, and they still don't have a concept to replace it. The RL has been around since the early 90's, and they STILL cannot figure out how to sell a $50k mid-luxury car.

I guess expecting core business changes overnight is asking for too much being that expecting core business changes to take place over 10-15 years is also asking too much of Acura.

Mansa24

It's the same ole ppl saying the same OLD sh!t. We get it. Acura isn't your cup of tea. Do you have to muck up every thread?

LuvMyTSX

Guys, this is just one part of their plan. Let's see where they are in 5 years, eh? Things could be a little different by then, especially if they really do add a new car every year.

runnerX

They still don't get it, don't they?

TSX69

Honda just wants nice showrooms for their upscale/luxury brand. Makes sense to me. Regardless of what one thinks of their products, this is their premium line ...

TMQ

People here of course care more about better cars, but improved dealerships and services are a good step towards a satisfying ownership experience.

Although it seems to be too little too late, given the state of the economy and the gas price. Acura has to think about how to build powerful, fuel efficient and good looking vehicles.

savage

this just in...

Acura Dealerships want Better Looking Cars and a Flagship from Acura by 2010...

Moog-Type-S

At least the buildings will be nice

The cars...not so much.

godfather2

luvmytsx, the consummate professional

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

This is definitely a step in the right direction. IMO Honda wanted Acura to be a premium brand, but not just luxury, but being sporty as well, and that was 20 years ago. That's why they had the Integra and NSX for the sporty (and even exotic) side, and the Legend to take care of the sporty/luxury part. Then Lexus came along, and we all know what it did, and it's so successful now. Infiniti basically followed Lexus, but failed until the introduction of the G35. Now Cadillac has joined the fight too, and simply put Acura cannot rely on its FWD platforms no more, and that's why they are coming up with these tier-1, improving image stuff.

Of course, some would argue that Honda intended to make Acura a true luxury brand back in the days, but from the cars they were making, I don't think so.

The NSX was old, but where's the replacement for Supra? Where's the replacement for RX-7?

Black TL

I hope the new dealerships don't have the new RL grill too. :-)

Infamous425

about time... all the local honda and toyota dealers here have gotten a full remodel and are nicer inside/out than the local acura dealerships

Ken1997TL

Apparently..

The newest Acura dealer (opening in Reno from what I hear) is going to have its own Starbucks built in it, three waiting rooms and waterfalls, marble and all that other stuff you see at Lexus

Trackruner228

iTrader: (1)

I have always thought my dealer had GREAT service. However, the showroom floor isnt great. Its not horrible but it stands a lot of room for imporvement.

Brandon24pdx

Not even close...

Customers demand better cars in Acura showrooms by 2010

Edward'TLS

There ain't no Tier-1 Acura cars before the new NSX replacement will be launching in 2010, according to Acura. So what craps are we gonna get from Acura in between now and 2010 ?

In my opinion, Acura should start releasing Tier-1 cars as soon as possible, not waiting a couple more years.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

They need to set some standard for training programs for their service department employees. Honda/Acura service department people are not as nice as Toyota/Lexus.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Thats vegas though, what about the rest of us? The dealers here are worse than hyundai showrooms.

Ken1997TL

Ouch...

And yes i understand. One dealer shares its waiting room with Kia..

VTEC Racer

Thats good to know. I didn't know it was gonna be so fancy. We've got a second home in Reno so I'm up there once a month or so for a long weekend. Last time I drove by it the sign said it would be complete in late-spring of 2008 so hopefully I can check it out when I'm back up there for Independence day. It's right next to a Mercedes-Benz dealer too. That could be a good thing and a bad thing lol. Maybe the same owner?

Ken1997TL

No its not the same owner. Its supposed to be open by next month apparently.

Mokos23

their showrooms aren't that bad, but infiniti's showrooms aren't like mercedes, bmw, or lexus either, but they're doing alright.

VTEC Racer

Edward, we have been over this SEVERAL times. Acura JUST announced it's goals of Tier One SIX MONTHS ago. To bring a car out to the market, you need to design, develop and test. All of that takes time. Your opinion is nice, but it is not possible. You make it sound like Acura already has these Tier One cars hiding in a closet and they are just waiting to release them when they feel it is time. Enough with the same dumb rant. What you will be getting from Acura before 2010 though is a FMC TL, MMC RL, MMC MDX, MMC RDX, and new TSX trim levels.

biker

Memo to dealers from Acura: Put up a new showroom and we'll give you a new NSX (a $199,999 value) as decoration.

chill_dog

If you're talking about Hendrick, their showroom sucks. The waiting area for service is ok (leather couches, flat screens, free food and drinks), and the service is great, but the showroom needs some serious help. Thankfully, they're moving out to a new place at Independence and 485.

msl82

Why are you guys so pessimistic? I don't think new Acura cars are bad. I checked out the new TSX in the dealership, and it looks very handsome and subtly aggressive. (yes, I know, more power would be better). It really look much better than 1st gen TSX.

RSX is probably best looking mid-size SUV also, IMO. MDX is nice too.

New RL is coming soon too. I bet its going to look nice considering the history of its design....

dom

This thread isn't about the cars, its about the showroom. Stick to the topic.