A horrendous body styling from 09-11 that was made only palatable in 2012 with the mid year refresh. No new information on the TLX. The lackluster RLX is likely a harbinger of what the TLX will be, lackluster. Acura is done as it relates to sedans.

 

Because potential buyers are hanging on to wait for the TLX to come out.

So the longer the current 4G TL model drags on, the more sales Acura is gonna lose.

And for those who run out of patience, they will simply go to buy from another auto brand.

 

Problem is TSX didnot recieved push button start and 6speed auto. and there is not LED drl either. it is 2014 and even such basic things that are available in other brands are missing. There is no 3D google navigation system like Audi A4. There is no AWD system. there is no sport suspension option. No ventilated seats. TSX needed Advance package.
BMW 3, Audi A4, IS, G37 all has AWD along with alot of options.

instead Acura wasted time on dead on arrival cars like ILX/RLX/ZDX (market is simply non existent for such cars). what is that nonsesne ILX hybrid. losing 10K value in months at used car lot.
4G TL is biggest failure considering car that was maintream in sales is now at the bottom despite extensive MMC and deep discounts.

 

^ Who kidnapped SSFTSX and forced him to say all these nasty things???

 

Dude is like bipolar. Mostly manic, for Acura. This is just a phase.

 

As far as I know, Honda/Acura aren't unionized. So...who's the product planner for the RLX? Time for the pink slip.

 

^ not unionized but they have job security in Japan where the RLX got greenlighted.

 

^ not unionized but they have job security in Japan where the RLX got greenlighted.

 

From....


to

WTF?



Yummy gave this avatar yesterday to the wrong person.

 

Sad part is most people around here and other car forums etc...saw this coming. How people who work for Honda/Acura didn't is baffling.

 

Now, now!!! You are just a Honda/Acura hater!!!!!

 

Seinfeld Pledges to Help Make Acura Master of Its Domain

What’s the deal with auto commercials showing cars driving through the desert? Who does that? Not Acura, if Jerry Seinfeld has anything to say about it.

“For the most part, car advertising is a total turnoff to the consumer; I think it needs a complete reboot,” Seinfeld said in a phone interview. “It’s too commercial-y and fear-based. Stop showing us the cars driving through the desert.”

Seinfeld, the comedian whose show about nothing featured a Soup Nazi and “yada, yada, yada,” is in a budding alliance with Honda Motor Co. to inject some fun into Acura and give it a sportier luster. Acura is sole sponsor of Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” Web series, the result of a bond formed with Honda’s U.S. marketing chief, Senior Vice President Mike Accavitti.

Seinfeld tie-ins are part of a strategy by Accavitti to enhance emotional ties to the Acura brand that has had a meandering image since its 1986 debut. New models and more memorable ads are key to Tokyo-based Honda’s goal to rejuvenate its premium line, eclipsed by German competitors and Toyota Motor Corp. (7203)’s Lexus.

The online-only series joins other Internet-based efforts to promote cars. The automotive industry also is responding to consumers’ increasing inclination to research potential purchases online, said Brad Adgate, senior vice president of research at Horizon Media in New York.

Mobile Communications
Mobile phones and tablets in April accounted for about 13 percent of all video-viewing, up from less than 3 percent in August 2011, according to a study by Ooyala Inc., an analytics firm that measures Web viewing habits for advertisers and other customers. Because of larger screens and faster wireless networks, advertisers can target people at specific times, on specific devices, the company found, and those people tend to watch live video almost twice as long as video on demand in the home.

Car companies “want to be in the mindset of the consumer when they go online to look up a car,” Adgate said. “They want to try things out and see what works and doesn’t work, and because of the size of their marketing budget, they more than other industries are open to experimenting.”

Acura Retools
Acura’s U.S. sales shrank 25 percent from the brand’s 2005 peak of 209,610 to 156,216 last year. While sales are up 4.4 percent in 2013’s 1st 9 months, competitors had even bigger gains. Lexus rose 12 percent, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (BMW)’s BMW is up 14 percent and Daimler AG (DAI)’s Mercedes-Benz had a 12 percent gain. Audi is also catching up to Acura in the U.S., trailing by about 6,000 units this year as the Volkswagen AG (VOW) unit’s sales rose 14 percent.

Honda is retooling the line, releasing the new RLX premium sedan this year to replace the slow-selling RL and revamping the stalwart MDX sport-utility vehicle, the brand’s consistent star since its release in 2000. A replacement for the TL sport sedan is in the works, and Acura is bringing back the NSX supercar in 2015 to give the line a halo.

In Seinfeld’s initial Acura commercial, he and fellow car collector Jay Leno, the “Tonight Show” host, competed to get the 1st NSX. The spot ran during the 2012 Super Bowl, 3 years ahead of the car’s release, to “get people talking about Acura again,” Accavitti said in an interview last month.

‘Cool Car’
“It was such a cool car and they thought it would be fun to do it on the Super Bowl,” Seinfeld said. “They needed somebody who people associate with cars.”

He was given a free hand to work with the director to script the commercial.
“There is nothing better for a guy like me, obviously, than when you connect with a client that understands humor is the ultimate weapon in advertising when used properly,” he said.

How so?

“Don’t sell me your product, sell me you,” said Seinfeld, 59. “You’re trying to make people like you. You don’t have to sell them your product. You have to make them like you.”

Accavitti, a 55-year-old Michigan native who spent much of his career at Chrysler, arrived at Honda in 2011 as the Tokyo-based carmaker was reeling from a string of unfavorable product reviews and stalled production because of natural disasters in Japan and Thailand. The Seinfeld Super Bowl commercial, and 1 with actor Matthew Broderick behaving like his character in 1986’s “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” to promote the CR-V crossover, were two of his first projects.

Accavitti’s Strategy
“We continue to see this unmet need for new Seinfeld material,” Accavitti said. “That was the genesis of the Super Bowl ad we did with him a couple of years back.”

Accavitti and Seinfeld began talking about working together again with “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” because the show needed a sponsor and Acura was seeking alternative channels to promote itself.

“The 1st season, Jerry didn’t have any sponsors. We reached out and said, ‘What we’re after as a company is we want to own things,’” Accavitti said. “We don’t want to be 1 of 40 sponsors.”

A typical episode of the program, available on a website set up by Seinfeld and the Crackle video streaming service, features him calling fellow comedians to meet for coffee. Seinfeld picks up guests in vintage cars he has selected to fit the personality of entertainers, including David Letterman, Chris Rock, Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.

Viewership Rises
An Acura ad appears at the start of an episode and vintage Honda and Acura commercials from the 1960s and 1980s have run at the end of episodes that typically average 15 minutes.

Since Honda’s involvement began, “viewership is up 40 percent from year one to year 2,” Accavitti said. “We’re seeing a steady growth. It’s gone viral. Over 3.5 million people have viewed it.”

The arrangement runs through next year. Both Seinfeld and Accavitti declined to discuss how much Acura is spending for it.

Compared with cost of airing ads on traditional television or cable channels, “it’s a very, very fair price,” Accavitti said. “It’s very efficient.”

“He’s always generating ideas for us, to help him add greater value to our partnership,” Accavitti said. “I can’t go into greater detail, but you’re going to see some stuff this next season.”

Neither he nor Seinfeld would say whether he’ll appear in future Acura commercials separate from the web series.

Ideal Fit
Seinfeld, who says he regularly calls and messages Accavitti to share ideas for “Comedians,” said the sponsorship is an ideal fit.

Acura said, “We’re not going to interfere with the show,” Seinfeld said. “Other people did not say that.”

In the 1st Acura-backed episode, Seinfeld and comic Sarah Silverman walk through the Silver Lake neighborhood in Los Angeles on their way to a coffee shop, when they see a 2013 RLX sedan parked on the street. Seinfeld points out the car and mentions Acura’s support for the show. Silverman simply says it looks like a nice car, and joins Seinfeld in mocking the overt product placement.

Acuras haven’t reappeared as part of the show.

“From a traditional viewpoint, a lot of car companies or marketers would have dismissed this opportunity because he has other cars in it,” Accavitti said. “I appreciate the old Porsche that he wants to show or the big Rolls-Royce that he wants to go pick up someone up in, the old Beetle he uses to get Larry David.”
David, co-creator of the “Seinfeld” situation comedy, was featured in the initial episode of the web series. In a diner reminiscent of the 1 on television show, Seinfeld explains that his concept for the web series is nothing more than comedians going for a ride and talking over coffee.

“You have finally done the show about nothing,” David said.

 

Well, Honda/Acura if you stay with that logic, you will continue to fall behind in the car advertising game.

People want to lust after your vehicles.
Hence, why they drive stunning cars through exotic locales.
It helps to spur the lust for the vehicle.

Having Bette Midler sing Christmas carols certainly does not bring lust for your vehicle, and at the same time probably makes people not like your brand very much either.

....and I don't see how having unknown athletes change their clothes on TV makes you want to lust after your vehicle or like your brand.

....nor do steaming tea-pots make you want to buy your vaporware sports car either.

Acura needs to stop trying to be the red-headed step child.
Beat the other makes at their game. Stop trying to create new games that nobody wants to play or follow.

There is a reason why the top-tier makes are at the top.

Lexus was later to the game than Acura, yet they figured it all out.

 

Acura will never get it.

 

I take back what I said earlier. Instead of the RLX's product planner, just get rid of the whole Acura team and start with a clean slate.

 

This. There's something wrong culturally with Acura's management and decision making teams.

 

And open the windows, turn on the TV and come back to reality

 

Yea, like this is going to make people want to buy the car Put down the bong. You got some bad stuff in it. Just like when you thought this was a good ad/slogan

 

^^^^^

"Acura - Made For Mankind".

I guess Acura finally wake up to the fact that it's products are no longer "ADVANCE".

 

The smartest post of the year award.

 

Honda October Sales Rise on Record CR-V and Strong Civic Sales; Acura Posts over 17-Percent Increase on Record Sales of Truck of the Year Candidate MDX

11/01/2013 - TORRANCE, Calif.

CR-V boasts record October sales
Civic sales up 32.1 percent over October 2012
Acura light trucks post record October sales on strength of all-new MDX and RDX

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. today reported October 2013 U.S. total sales of 114,538 units, an increase of 7.1 percent compared with October 2012 (up 3.1 percent based on the Daily Selling Rate, or DSR*). Year-to-date sales reached 1,273,550, an increase of 8.5 percent. Honda Division October sales reached 100,242, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to last October. Acura Division posted sales of 14,296, an increase of 17.5 percent compared to October 2012.

Honda

CR-V surpasses the previous October record set in 2006, with sales of 22,554 up 11.6 percent from October 2012
Civic sales for October were the best since 2001 and up substantially over the previous year with an impressive 32.1 percent rise, posting sales of 27,328
Accord posted October sales of 25,162, with America’s best-selling retail model handily passing the 300,000-unit mark for year-to-date, up 11.2 percent versus 2012

“Despite consumer uneasiness early in the month, real demand remains strong across the Honda brand and we remain on track to achieve number one retail sales this year for our core models: Civic, Accord, CR-V and Odyssey,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of sales at American Honda. "With the all-new Accord Hybrid arriving at dealerships this week and a significantly updated Civic coming later in the year, we anticipate sales will continue to be hot even as the weather cools down heading into winter.”

Acura

Acura posted October sales of 14,296, an increase of 17.5 percent compared to last October with Acura light trucks recording their best October since 2007
MDX sales set an October monthly record with 5,608 units, up 48.7 percent compared to last October
RDX also set an October record with sales of 3,333, up 25.3 percent compared to last year
RLX posted its best sales month since its release in March

“The poise and power of Acura’s line of light trucks continues to win over an ever-increasing number of discerning SUV customers,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales. “With MDX recording its best October since 2004 and RDX continuing to set sales records month over month, Acura has the strongest one two punch in the industry.”

 

Corrected, Acura's SUV's sell and compete in their respective classes very well. Not true for the cars currently.

 

While they do sell well, I'd say only the MDX is a true stand out amongst its class. I feel like the RDX is getting by on price. The Lexus RX is a better crossover if you're looking for something that size IMO.

 

TL sales are completely in the tank. The TLX will also be lackluster. Acura is basically now known for its SUV/CUV. It's done in relation to sedans.

 

I wouldn't rule the TLX out - if it's basically the RLX but more youthful, and 10-15K cheaper, it'll probably sell in numbers Acura had hoped the RLX would. For the most part, I like the RLX's design and I think the styling direction Acura is taking with their sedans is solid. It's just the overall package that doesn't add up to a solid product, and that price tag.

 

Ya the RX350 has more options/packages to choose from. If you are willing to pay, it has more features. But man..it's not cheap. A similarly equipped RX350 is about $50k while a top of the line RDX AWD with tech is just below $40k. At $50k, you can get a MDX AWD with tech and entertainment pkg.

 

Since we are beating dead horses around here. One obvious, easy and relatively low cost fix that stands out to me to differentiate Acura from Honda would be to slap the Jewel Eyes and LED tails on every Acura.

It clearly will take some time for Acura to correct some design miscues and up their game in the powertrain dept. Not to mention their somewhat vague and schizo marketing plan.

Still somewhat hopeful that the NSX will be pleasant surprise. Maybe its just ful thinking.


Isn't Lexus in a bit of a rut now too?

 

The RDX is a compact CUV whereas the RX is a midsize (albeit on the smaller side), while the MDX is a 3-row midsize CUV.

The RX is about the size of the previous BMW X5 which is why it sells well - a midsizer for the price of an X3.

Supposedly, the next RX will get larger as Lexus will add a compact CUV to its lineup - so will likely see more alignment with the RDX and MDX in size (Lincoln will be doing the same as well).

 

Just had a look at some numbers. It's interesting to note that the X5, even though it's bigger in most exterior dimensions than the RX350 and RDX, they are all relatively close to each other when it comes to interior dimensions. In fact, overall speaking, the RX and RDX seem to be bigger inside than the X5.

 

X5 is bigger inside and out than RX and RDX, not by much but bigger.

Personally checked.

 

Not true, each are the biggest in some categories for interior measurements. No clear winner in that group.

http://www.edmunds.com/car-compariso...atorId=9795128

 

Damn the MDX FWD is really light at just 4025lb.

 

we were talking about RDX, not MDX.

I have sat in 13 X5, RX and RDX back to back to back.* X5 definitely feels roomier than RX and RDX.

*too many friends popping out kids lately, that is how it happened"

 

The RX is 188 inches in length while the 2G X5 is 191 inches.

The RX has a more efficient FWD layout but is hurt by its sloping rear window.

The RDX is 184 inches while the MDX is 194 inches - so basically, the MDX is a bit longer than the new X5 (192 inches) but has greater room primarily due to the greater efficiency of its FWD layout.

 

Ya that's pretty much it. I don't think space would be too much of an issue for cars like the RDX, MDX, RX, X3, or X5.

 

It's always been that way, the X5's cabin has to make room for the inline engine so there's a sacrifice. That's why I compared the RX to the RDX. Yeah Acura bills it as the entry level SUV compared to the MDX, but size-wise it's about the same as the Lexus (which is not to say Lexus bills the RX as its entry level, but simply because due to its age it's behind the times when it comes to the size of what's now considered a midsize).

 

The upcoming RAV-4 based Lexus CUV (probably will be very similar to the new Toyota Harrier) will be close to the size of the RDX and the next RX will get bigger and closer to the size of the MDX.

 

If you've ever checked out the X5's third row, you quickly will conclude it is damn near useless other than for five year olds. Probably the main reason we crossed it off the shopping list.

Back on topic, looks like the RDX is selling well but I bet it might sell better after an MMC upgrade to jewel eyes. I still strongly dislike that Acura subtracted the SH-AWD from it. But it really makes even more sense for the Acura sedans (and coupes *echo chamber) to have the SH-AWD option.

 

Problem with RX is its price. it is quite expensive for its limited internal capacity and is very slow compared to RDX/MDX and handle alot worse.
bigger RX will practically make it uncompetitive.

 

MDX also has shortest turning circle of 37.6 feet. X5 turning circle is 42 feet.