Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

The North American International Auto Show is just around the corner. Along with many of the announcements of new vehicles, prototypes, and new technologies come the questions.

I will be in attendance of the Auto Show this year on behalf of Acura and will have the privilege of being a part of the press conference where Acura will unveil 3 new vehicles. You may ask why this is important to you? Well, for years many of you have had questions for Acura. Here's your chance to ask them. I will be meeting with Acura execs along with other social media reps from other Honda and Acura enthusiast sites where we will have the opportunity to discuss topics related to Acura.

Post up your questions and I'll aggregate them and do my best to ask them when I meet with the Acura execs.

I shouldn't have to say this, but let's keep this serious. I know for years many of us have felt Acura hasn't been listening to our concerns and desires, well here is your chance. Make the most of it.

MR1

Does Acura actually target specific brands or models or do they look for niche spots to design their product for?

CLsuperhero

What is Acura's plans for the future of the company? Will it it go green, stick with luxury cars, or make more performance based cars like the NSX and RSX?

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

Everywhere you look there is a G35 or G37 coupe. Why doesn't Acura currently compete in the coupe market?

nspec_ya4

iTrader: (38)

What is the motive behind the way they desinged of all the new models.

Take a ZDX for example. A huge failure, mostly because if its looks.

KillerG

How does Acura see itself moving forward? Will the brand be moving to position itself as a "top-tier" beginning with the introduction of the new NSX, or does Acura plan to remain a sort of "intercept" brand that captures buyers on their way up to more expensive brands?

If Acura does plan to reposition as a top tier brand, how will they distinguish themselves from other marques? Will there be principal focus on fuel efficiency, price, technology, handling, or maybe a combination of those things that will sway buyers away from say a BMW or a Mercedes to an Acura?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Do they plan to put their cars on a diet, and if so, in what areas? Is there a reason why they dont offer options a la carte but instead load the cars up with nearly every option and sell it as the base model? Why can't I get a TSX "sport" wagon with a manual transmission or the V6? Why isnt the TSX V6 available with a manual transmission? When do they plan to offer the 6AT in the TSX line? Do they plan on killing off the TSX (as the rumors seem to indicate)? Do they plan on offering a TL-based coupe, or any coupe for that matter, to compete with the Infiniti G?

But most importantly, Acura, y u no design nice car?

savage

Their latest product trends is to distinguish themselves through efficiency and features. What is their overall confidence that the lack of performance related versions of their cars can still succeed? Although the automotive enthusiast is a small piece of their customers, have they considered more performance versions, like the Type-S or slightly more aggressive?

pttl

This.

Why no RWD coupe?

Why no S2000 replacement?

Rapture

Why isn't Acura doing more to try to make a clear distinction between the Honda and Acura brands?

or

Why is Acura focusing more on pushing styling rather than all else (functionality, practicality, overall performance)?

Aman

As other premium brands move their vehicles well past 300- and even 400-horsepower territory with new engines, Acura has stayed faithful to variants of the SOHC J-series engine, which has been with us for well more than a decade and produces 305 horsepower in its most powerful form.

How does Acura plan on keeping up or leading the horsepower race? A new line of engines? Electric/hybrid drive? Alternative fuels?

While sales of the Acura CL declined in its later years, the premium coupe market is lucrative right now, and many automakers introduced their own successful sports coupes after the CL's demise, like the Infiniti G35/37 and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Why hasn't Acura made its way back into the sports coupe market, and does it plan to in the coming years?


Sly, will you be at the public show as well? I plan on attending the second weekend.

RedRyder

iTrader: (1)

^Agree with the CL topic.

1) The SH-AWD was Acura's first venture into an alternative driveline platform, do you plan to expand in the spirit of performance? i.e. possibly RWD platforms?

2) Do you plan to have Type-S variants on TL's, TSX's and other car models moving forward?

Gfaze

Is Acura ever going to take a chance by introducing a top-tier car to compete directly with MB, BMW, Audi, etc.? I.E. not FWD based?

Perhaps a new Legend with a V8 producing in excess of 400 HP to lay down the gauntlet and stun the established top tier brands. The V8 could be the premium level Legend and they could offer a standard level V6 producing 320+ HP. Just a thought.

Ken1997TL

Will Acura introduce a diesel engine to their lineup?

A SiQ TL

In for Acura's answers. I like the Legend idea.


Sly, when is the auto show?

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

meh......I'm done with Acura. They are getting overpriced. How about ask them to go back to their roots & make affordable cars that are reliable.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

The show is open to the public from January 14th through the 22nd.

I thought I included the link in the OP, but here it is again in case I didn't: http://www.naias.com/

Ken1997TL

Are they overpriced?

The TSX starts just under $30,000, a commendable price considering inflation and its standard content.

In the early 90's the Acura Vigor started around $28,000...

dom

Will we (and if so when) see the new DSG tranny make its way down the line to the TL and ILX?

Why won't the ILX with the 2.4 be available with an AT? It has 200HP, not 500.

More of a question for Honda, but will we ever see the return proper 4 cylinder high revving engine? The engine from a base Accord and CR-V doesn't qualify as proper.

Legend2TL

Acura has had inconsistency with their models and nomenclature. Besides the TL which has had 4 generations, most other models don't last long (CL) or change nomenclature (Legend -> RL, SLX -> MDX).

This is confusing to some auto buyers, why don't you create a model series and stick to it. This has worked so well for BMW (1/3/5/6/7) that Audi and MB copied the approach. The TSX/TL/RL sorta try this but they are also similar in size.

So the question is will Acura create a consistent model line that does not change in time?

rossv1

Have y'all fired the current design team yet?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Regarding the naming convention - many people could identify Legend, Integra, Vigor...the names actually meant something. Why has Acura decided to follow in the same footsteps as the Germans with meaningless, soulless names?

Moog-Type-S

Where does Acura "fit in" in terms of the other lux makes.

BMW, Merc, Lexus, Audi, and Infiniti (to an lesser extent) on many levels compete head to head in many categories, and the consumer can clearly see the make/model/market strategy.

Acura on the other hand is a bit of an enigma. It's not quite clear where they fit in/compete, and the consumer seems a bit unaware of Acura's identity, make/model/market.

For many, Acura has become Honda version 2.1. Similar to Honda, but with a slight difference. It appears for a decade more now that Acura has tried multiple different strategies, and many of them "apples and oranges".

Where and what is an Acura, and where is this company actually going?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

No offense to you guys, and I fully understand where youre coming from, but I want to hear Acuras reasoning for this direct from Acura, not just conjecture.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Let's keep this on topic guys, I want questions, not to turn this into a discussion. If you wish to discuss items brought up in here, take it over to the Acura thread (https://acurazine.com/forums/car-talk-5/honda-acura-versus-world-debate-839150/). The last thing I want is to have to sift through a bunch of posts trying to weed out the valid questions from those that are being posted to other members.

Thread cleaned.

Legend2TL

Another question

~5 years ago Acura had exterior styling that was well recieved by both consumer and auto media, then the styling became very bold and polarizing that was not well received by either.

Will Acura's styling revert back to less edgy but sporty (think 3G TL) and not bland (think 2G TL) or beaky (think 4G TL)?

neuronbob

Who the f greenlighted Power Phlegm and can we kick their ass?

Just kidding. Kinda. I'm past that, now. Maybe.

Seriously: Is it possible that there could be sporty variants of each sedan? In other words, bring back A-Spec and properly market it to enthusiast luxury car drivers like myself? My A-Spec'd RL was one of the best handling cars I have ever had the pleasure of owning, and without the penalty of a harsh ride. It was simply superbly engineered, and SH-AWD as executed in the RL was simply awesome. (Yes, I am still pining for my RL three years later even though I love my CTS-V.)

I 3rd, 4th, whateverth, the CL question even though I'm not in the market. It would certainly be a way to bring younger people or sprightlier old farts like me to Acura.

PS I will be in Detroit, too, though I guess Sly Raskal will be at the press days and I will only be able to go to the public show that weekend. Pics coming!

Professor

What's the status of production in Japan and it's role in the American market?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Where's the coupe? Seriously. Where?

phee

iTrader: (5)

Why can't you get your wheel gaps as perfect as BMW?

Why are you afraid to make the TSX more sporty? (turbo)

why not offer an MT on the RL like the legend?

phee

iTrader: (5)

Sly, why don't you print these out and hand them to the people?

Aman

Slightly OT: It would be great if the AZ members who are going could meet up at the show

What was Acura's reasoning behind prioritizing fuel economy over performance, especially considering much of Acura's loyal fan base of the 90's was formed because of its performance prowess?

neuronbob

That would be cool. I'll be there early on the opening day for the public (next Saturday). It's only a quick two-hour drive from Cleveland.

savage

Something to improve future communications with customers...

Does Acura monitor forums such as Acurazine.com for valuable feedback or metrics?

Have they considered a periodic Q&A through a medium such as Acurazine? Something that could be moderated and kept on topic, while answering questions for Acura customers and fans...

neuronbob

Acura does monitor our forum, or did in the past, though never openly.

Hey Sly, how about bringing this issue to Acura? On the Caddy board I frequent, there is an actual Cadillac Customer Service person who monitors the board on a daily basis to help people with problems that crop up. On some of the uplevel models like the CTS-V, GM Engineering has even occasionally delurked to address problems. This has led to considerable goodwill from site regulars toward GM even if sometimes Customer Service's answer is "have you gone to your dealer yet?" They have also openly noted sending feedback on to folks further up the foodchain. For example, I recently suggested that on a $70k car like a CTS-V, missing tilting rear side mirrors, a feature which had been in the regular CTS until 2008, was probably not a good thing. Caddy actually responded to my post, indicating that the feedback had been sent to those who make the decisions.

Such a presence could be valued by the community here.

savage

I figured that, but I know I had seen other manufacturers "delurk" here and there in the past for other brands in other forums. Thanks for providing that Caddy example! I believe I saw a similar Q&A with an Audi Exec, who answered some questions and even committed to bringing the RS5 over.

savage

This was the example I was thinking of. Hopefully the link works...

Questions and Comments for Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America

http://forums.fourtitude.com/showthr...di-of-America&

asianspec

iTrader: (1)

Hey anil, ask them with Korean cars on the rise, whats acura's respose to more bang for buck and very lucrative warranties Right now they just took a big back seat in a 16 passenger van behind most companies imo. I remember back 07,when they were unveiling the 4g TL in Tustin Acura, AcuraZine was invited to that event. One of their managers was saying they are trying to keep the in-vision of FWD and AWD luxury cars. Are they still keeping that vision?

HAWAII-TSX

Who does Acura see as their largest competition and how do they feel they compete with them.

Will the three new vehicles being introduced beat the target competition in performance and luxury or is their target to beat them in value.

Is Value a word that Acura wants to continue to be related to as part of its brand image.

jchan2

As mainstream brands (Hyundai/Ford) roll out pricier models and luxury brands (BMW/Mercedes) roll out less expensive models, where does that leave the traditionally in-between Acura? How does Acura plan to fight against this "squeeze" coming from both directions of the market?

How does Acura plan to reach out to the next generation of luxury car buyers, particularly in regards to social media?

EDIT: Does Acura plan to continue importing the TSX Sportwagon with the next-generation TSX (or TSX/TL combined model)? And have Sportwagon sales been meeting internal expectations?