Has anyone heard anything about the return of the CL?

 

yeah i heard that there wont be one...have you heard anything different?

 

nobody has heard anything definitive.

 

Our district rep has said that they have nothing in the plans for a replacement as of yet. The CL was such a bomb for the company in the last 2 years that it's tough to want to test that market out again. Especially with a company so against having a rear-drive platform.

 

that's so stupid to not embrace rwd cars, V-8, or even AWD for that matter. that's why lexus and infiniti have caught up and has overtaken acura as the premier japanese luxury brands, even if Acura was the 1st Japan luxury brand. i wish Acura would come out with a AWD car, please Acura.

 

Infiniti hasn't "overtaken" Acura, though it is true Toyota sells more Lexus brand cars. And isn't it pretty much certain the new RL will have AWD?

 

Lexus: 19834 +19% over 2003
Acura: 13131 +25% (new TL has 45% increase in sales)
Infiniti: 9392 +17%

 

Lexus sells more because they have more vehicles in their line up. More units to sell can equal more units sold. Besides, they also have more SUVs which are what really sell these days. A buyer doesn't look at an RX330 and say "Well, I'll go with the Lexus because they offer a V8 RWD sedan."

If Acura hits the mark on the new RL and puts out another SUV or two, we'll see some serious gains on Lexus. Regardless of cylinder count and drivetrain format (but AWD would be nice ).

 

SUV's are definently where its at. Toyota sales reports continually boast about record small truck sales specifically the Lexus brands. However, that does'nt mean Toyota will remain complacent. They have already announced the next IS will come in Coupe, Sedan and Convertible form and of course be RWD/AWD. As much as it is about making cars that the population will buy its also about creating an image. And right now Acura image is value not nessesaralty seat of the pants performance and luxury.

Honda has to do a better job of creating image cars IMO. Think about the shot in the arm they got when they released the NSX.

 

I couldnt agree more. Look what the MDX has done for Acura.

 

SUVs are the real reason Toyota outsells Honda so much. Did you guys know they make EIGHT different ones? EIGHT! Sheesh!

 

The Corolla and Camry are outselling the Civic and Accord.

BUT I will agree SUV's are definently where Toyota is dominating today. But they foresaw the market alot better than Honda (and everyone else) did 10 years ago. Honda could have had a few more SUV's out as well by now. Toyota should be given full credit for making the right moves.

 

I only count 7 Toyota SUVs to Honda's 4 (if you consider the Element an SUV which I don't ).

 

You probably forgot one of these:

1. RAV4
2. 4 Runner
3. Highlander
4. Land Cruiser
5. Sequoia

6. RX330
7. GX470
8. LX470

Isn't that incredible? And still no Supra....

 

Yep, I forgot the Sequoia...thanks.

 

Thank their blessings that they have the Prius to somewhat help their fleet MPG average down to a reasonable number.

Toyota definitely has gone ute-happy these days, and it seems like they are betting that the trend won't go away soon.

Junkster, whose not too fond of SUVs, even his Pathie.

 

Remeber...that's jus the SUVs. Trucks aren't included.

 

Actually, I think pick ups get some sort of loophole in MPG for fleet due to something dealing with heavy duty equipement. I forget...
But that is one of the reasons Ford and Chevy get away with creating so many pick ups and V8 vehicles.

Junkster, whose is looking for a wagon revival soon.

 

That's because Camry and Corolla are both fleet cars. Go to any rental car company and you'll see them, especially Corolla.
As much as I want Honda to outsell Toyota, I don't want Honda to become a fleet-car-company (i.e. GM, Ford, Chryslers, Toyota).

BMW, Audi and such are doing just fine. A car company doesn't have to sell boring fleet-like cars (Corolla, Camry, Echo) or unnecessary SUVs (Highlander vs. 4Runner vs. Sequoia vs. Land Cruiser) just to outsell everyone.

 

i don't know if it matters, but they include matrix sales in the corolla numbers.

 

Have you seen the Jan BMW numbers? They might not be fine if that trend continues (down 19% vs 2003, even with a brand new 5 series and X3 available).

Unless the new RL and other models start selling, Infiniti will probably overtake Acura by this time next year. I mean they only have the G35 and FX to sell now (I35, M45 , Q45 and current SUV together only sell about 1500/month), but once the QX56 (starting this month) and new M series (late fall) start selling the numbers will go way up.
So Lexus will stay in the lead and be neck-neck with MB at the top of the luxury pack. Infiniti will be the Japanese BMW and Acura will be the Japanese Audi (near-luxury with one flag ship car: RL in case of Acura, A8 for Audi). Like Audi, Acura will stay with its formula of upmarketing Honda FWD models. Not a bad model but just don't know how long that will keep folks interested.

 

I didn't know about 19% down, it's probably because of all these new controversial designs though. What I meant was that Acura or Honda doesn't need a dozen of SUV models or sell cars as fleet to catch up. You said it yourself, Infiniti is making a great comeback with just 2 models and they have only 1 SUV (this huge Q56 is a joke). I think TL and TSX are fine, just continue refreshing the whole line with similar vehicles. And Honda just has to work on better exterior designs (and implement Accord-like interiors in all new models). Also, do something about brakes, they are down there with the worst in the industry.

Doesn't sound like a lot to me.

 

I personally don't like SUVs, and I'm not saying they are required for Acura to succeed. What I am saying is, Toyota is one of the largest because they have so many SUVs. If Honda/Acura wants to hold onto their market position and not lose ground...then you're right; refresh the lines and make them better cars. But if they want to gain any ground on the leaders...they're going to have to expand with what the American market wants: SUVs.

 

Civics and Camrys also have much more incentives than Accords and Civics.

Per car Honda makes more money than Toyota still. In fact, Honda is at the bottom of the list when it comes to manufacturers doing discounts. The RL is the only car to receive any significant ones.

 

A new CL would be nice however the coupe market is very iffy. Last year my local Infiniti dealer couldn't keep G35C's, now come and pick out the one you want...auto/manual, Brembo, non-Brembo, etc.

Too many CLs were made I belive which is why the sells numbers to Honda looked bad. Coupes are image cars yet not every one wants one. SUV are where it is at for the foreseeable future. I for one would like to see another Acura coupe as good as the Legend coupe was. Acura needs to limit production, hit styling square on the head and drop FWD.

 

though they do sell fleet cars, no one recognizes a toyota as a "rental car". It's all about the way they present themself... Honda/Acura needs to step up

 

 

Damn...that looks pretty good. The front door could stand to be a tad longer to shorten the look of the rear fender but overall, a nice chop job. Whoever did the photoshop on that deserves a round of applause.

 

agreed, for the record it was NOT me

 

Seriously Someone should send that to acura- that looks damn nice!!!!!!!!

 

im pretty sure Jaydef from acura-cl.com did that

 

ya. http://www.acura-cl.com/forums/showt...hreadid=115581

 

Quick, tell him to photochop the 18" A-Spec rims on that thing.

 

dang that photochop looks sweet!

 

If Acura is going to make the next CL like that, they can go ahead and sign me up. Damn! It looks so good!

 

do you think anyone could photoshop what a Tsx coupe would look like? just wanted to see how a Tsx would look as could as that photoshopped TL!

 

i have one but i have no host

 

you can email to me and I will host it ... provench@yahoo.com

 

Good stuff ... thanks d-rock

 

^ Is that the new civic coupe??