Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Great questions guys, keep it up. Been busy all day, will respond to individual posts at another time, but I'm liking some of what I'm hearing.

the-G-ride

1.Why do all Acuras post 07 look like medieval war horses? Do they ever plan on changing their design in coming years?

2. Will they ever venture into the rwd department?

The design and the rwd is what's holding them back from being a top tier company. Then again top tier may not be their goal. Just my

Treblig

Why no SH-AWD option for the TSX "Sport" Wagon?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Since Honda vehicles have been closing the gap in the performance and luxuries (not saying much though), what does Acura plan to do to shake the "more expensive Honda" aura that they have?

Do they have any plans to keep manual transmissions around (preferably in an exciting car) or are they intent on completely alienating their original customer base?

Are they trying to compete with Lexus, Infiniti, BMW and Audi or are they targeting the Buick and Volvo drivers?

Moog-Type-S

As far as interior infotainment technology goes, does Acura/Honda have any plans to partner directly with any software/hardware companies?

Like Ford and Microsoft Sync, Kia and Microsoft UVO.

or even coming up with their "own" system

Like Toyota Entune, Hyundai Bluelink, BMW iDrive ConnectedDrive, Audi MMI

shelite

why have the looks become somewhat like an older persons car. where is a good sporty car, like a rear wheel drive v6?

Legend2TL

That's a good question, I was thinking of also asking it.

Costco

Dual-clutch transmissions are on the rise among the car manufacturers. Does Acura plan to roll out new transmissions soon, and do they plan to stay faithful to the enthusiasts who still want a proper three-pedal manual transmission?

thelastaspec

Second this. Many first car buyers started with a "entry" acura and moved up models (integra->rsx->tl).

When I am ready to buy my first new car i will be looking for something safe, quality built/reliable, fuel efficient, and has a "sporty" feel to it. The new lineup is sporty on paper, but looking at it from afar - it does not have the same feel as a rsx or previous generation tl.
Nothing seems to be aimed at 20-35 year old folk. (who want a bit of fun)

Also, Does acura plan on changing their current advertising program/model?
(incorporating more excitement, while getting safety and reliability points across?)

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

When is the 7 or 8 speed auto coming out?

Moog-Type-S

Acura: What ad agency are you under contract with?

If so, end that contract and get with another agency ASAP!!!!

Seriously, Season of Reason?!?!? Bette Midler?!?!? To sell cars?!?!? For crying out loud who greenlighted that?!?!?

...and the "It works with people....it works with cars" commercials....Huh? Athletes changing clothes in time lapse......that is going to sell your cars?!?!?

Acura, why not create LUST for your vehicles when producing a commercial?
...or perhaps your vehicles don't have the merit to stand on their own without some sort of goof or bit about something else to try to tie into them.

Acura, why not follow Jaguar, BMW, Audi, Mercedes Benz....heck even those Hyundai Genesis commercials? Look at how they create and build LUST and desire for their product.

Seriously, what exactly is your approach to television advertising?
I'd like to know.

p.diddy

iTrader: (3)

i couldnt agree more with this statement.

DivinDude

Would Acura ever allow Honda dealers to do basic warranty work beyond simple maintenance for markets that do not have an Acura dealer. I could have sold about 6 cars to friends and family, but the 100 mile drive to get a rattle fixed was prohibitive.

RDX guy

Looking at the history of Honda/Acura their successes have traditionally started with the innovation of their engines. It appears in the past decade their focus has switched on a couple of occasions and Honda/Acura has found themselves behind in the engine performance department i.e. highest horsepower with smallest engine, greatest torque curve, most fuel efficient.

Does Honda/Acura plan to compete again in the innovation of engines again? If not what is the companies direction or niche in the years to come?

jchan2

I think Acura really has to think about the 20-35 demographic, especially as the Germans come down in price and get serious about building a sub A4/C-Class/3-Series lineup.

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

I agree. The belief used to be that youd buy a Civic, then Accord, then get into a TL then an RL.

Most people that are making the jump from a Honda to a luxury car seem to be going to BMW or Audi. Acura is Hondas Buick (before the turbos and nice designs).

What segment are they trying to compete in with the upcoming ILX? In the past 10 or so years, its very difficult to see which direction Acura is going. What buyers are they trying to target?

NIGHTEHAWK

Will Acura ever build a EVO/STI competitor, or a RWD car that will actually surpass the european cars in luxury and perfomance? maybe even a CTS-V competitor?

jchan2

Agreed- previously I guess people would have gone Civic-Accord-TL-Germans but with the Germans coming downward (and to a lesser extent, the mainstream brands coming upwards), it's getting easier to just jump from an Accord to the Germans (and it'll get even easier when you can lease an A3 or B-Class sedan).

As a follow up, how does Acura plan to deal with the price creeping from the mainstream brands? It's getting to an age where for $30k, you can have either an Accord (or Altima, Optima, Fusion, Malibu, etc) or a TSX, and there are people who cross-shop the two.

A lot of people may ditch the luxury badge and just stick to the mainstream brands forever instead of jumping over into Acura and the luxury market.

loulinjai

Many automakers are taking a new approach to meet the new CAFE standards. Mazda has been well praised for the new Skyactive program, totally redesigning new engines and transmissions. Subaru has stayed with their trademark AWD systems and still achieve remarkable fuel consumption ratings with reduced friction in drivetrain losses.

Toyota/Lexus has amazing hybrid systems, and GM, Ford, Hyundai/Kia, and the Europeans have reduced the number of cylinders but improved output by turbocharging and direct injecting. It seems like Honda has none of these plans by constantly just carrying over R series, K series and J series engine generation after generation with marginally better fuel consumption and/or output. Honda's hybrids are a joke, where they don't beat the competition in output or fuel consumption. FCX's hydrogen technology isn't accessible to many customers.

Honda has many excellent programs, but they are not accessible to many consumers, what's the game plan to keep customers from going to other showrooms?

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Why does Dave Marek still have a job?

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Thank you everyone for taking the time to not only ask some really great and insightful questions, but for keeping this thread focused. I've compiled the list of questions and will do my best to try to get as many of them answered as I can without ruffling too many feathers.

I fly out tomorrow morning and upon my arrival, I'm having dinner with other Acura/Honda reps from other social sites with the Acura Execs. I really don't know what the setting will be, but this will be one of a few opportunities I'm hoping I will be able to ask these questions.

Aman, to answer your question, I will be attending the show during their press event days (monday and tuesday) and I fly back home on Tuesday afternoon. The show opens for general attendance on Friday IIRC. From what I've seen, my schedule is really tight between the press conference and trying to squeeze in viewing the rest of the floor during my short stay. As much as I want to bring you guys as much info about Acura and Honda as I can, I also want to bring back info and pictures about other brands if at all possible.

In the meanwhile, sit tight and you'll all be hearing from me soon.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Im not sure if your aware but you can take the tunnel bus round trip to the show for like $7. Your insane if you don't go while living in Windsor.

pttl

Wow Sounds like an awesome opportunity. Travel safely. Looking forward to your thoughts and pics when you get back.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Yea, about that traveling safe thing....

About a minute into our flight out of Ontario Airport, the #2 engine decided to have a heart attack and spewed fireballs with some loud bangs that shook the plane a little bit. I was a few rows behind the right wing in an aisle seat. I didnt get to see the fireballs, but i did see the flashes of light. We were diverted to LAX to make an emergency landing where we were greeted by firetrucks that checked out the plane to make sure everything was fine upon landing and were then sent to the gate to deplane.

So now my flights have been rerouted and I do not get into Detroit until 11PM tonight which means I wont make it to the dinner with Acura execs. I dont know what is planned for Monday night but i am hoping i can make something happen now or in thr future to still get your questions addressed.

pttl

civicdrivr

iTrader: (9)

Holy shit. Glad you're ok.

sleepinxlionhart

Aw, that sucks. But glad you are okay.

I don't know if I'm a bit late, but I have a question.
If Acura is striving to be "green" and fuel efficient, yet at the same time be "sporty" why is it that there isn't a RWD drivetrain that uses the torque vectoring system for the rear wheels like for SH-AWD. I would imagine it would have better performance than a FWD car, yet more fuel efficient than SH-AWD. I am aware that there's a new hybrid system that utilizes electronic motors on each wheel to emulate SH-AWD, would that be a viable option for a RWD biased hybrid?

knight rider

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad to hear that you're okay. That sounds like it could have ended badly. I hope you enjoy your time at the car show.

Legend2TL

glad you're OK

savage

Glad you're ok! Safe travels buddy!

neuronbob

Glad to hear you're OK Raskal. This nervous flyer would have shat his pants.

dom

just glad everything worked out ok for you Sly.

Have some fun today!

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Sensory Overload!!!!!

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the concern by the way guys.

leedogg

damn glad to hear your ok! My question: Has acura considered integrating with iPhone where the guts of the car's navi and communications utilize the iphone's software as long as it is linked? imagine google maps, emails, internet, car apps galore, all interfacing through the car's display and siri.

Rugel

Sly, Did you get some of the questions answered by Acura??

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

No, but I did summarize why and what went down here:

https://acurazine.com/forums/showpos...postcount=2849

This doesn't mean that these questions won't get answered, I just need to work with our contacts to figure out another avenue to have this questions addressed.

I wanted to go there prepared, but I didn't expect the schedule to be as tight as it was. This just wasn't the right place to raise these questions. The execs are busy meeting with Media, other execs from other manufacturers, doing interviews, shooting video spots, talking with fans. It was a very challenging situation to be in.

Xcepticus

The 3G of Acura TL was a great design and is still stunning. What Acura should be focusing on is the regular problems with the transmission system. Some people say the transmission is the heart of a car, and I concur with them.

When I'm looking up cars, the first things I favor and check for are the dashboard features:

-Built-in Bluetooth v3.0+ (to allow driver to sync his/her cellular phone to his/her car by simply tap or press the answer button on the steering wheel which I love on the Mazda3 because I hate answering phone calls while I'm operating a vehicle),

-Backup camera with night vision capability,

-Backup censors,

-GPS Navigation system (free live traffic updates) optimized,

-Six (6) airbags,

-Parking assist (like in the Ford Focus which can park itself when put on backup).

***If the new cars being manufactured right now could have a computer maintenance e-mail reminder system that could be linked to Google Mail or Microsoft Windows Live Mail or even Yahoo! Mail so owners or drivers could be really informed of the maintenance required on their vehicles, that'd be awesome.

I know Mercedes Benz, BMW and Lexus already have features like:

-Park assist,

-"Proximity censors" when the vehicle is approaching another stopped car it slows down by itself,

It's amazing how Volvo has been successful at its wileress driverless vehicles. Recently, I've noticed a test or experiment that Volvo conducted in Spain with one trailer truck, two sedans and one SUV approximately 20 feet distance between each other traveling at about 53 mph without any accidents. That was marvelous! I think this kind of technology is vehicles will be very good for businesses with truck fleets, but would require less drivers on the roads. More importantly, it'd be a disastrous news for truck drivers who could be fired from their jobs...

Where there's a profit for the businesses, there's also a loss for the employees.

Another feature that'd be worthwhile and great is to have built-in Android anti-theft system that would allow the owner to unlock his/her car using a similar application like Viper SmartStart or Directed SmartStart apps by Directed Electronics...

And last, the new car computer should be able to pinpoint exactly the location of any problem detected in the vehicle while displaying the exact trouble codes. This would make it easier for auto owners to waste less money at the car dealerships and elsewhere.


Posted from Acurazine.com App for Android

dallison

For god sakes, when will we see another desirable coupe?

juniorbean

iTrader: (5)

Why is this thread still stickied when the event was almost 9 months ago?