I came across this new updated video of the Ries report about why Acura has failed as establishing themselves as a luxury brand, while Lexus overtook them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhK_yTtCgOA

Al Ries just keeps emphasizing 3 things:

1. I don't know what an Acura is.
2. 20 years too late for Honda to put a V8 in an Acura model.
3. Honda should've never sold the Integra and just sold the Legend only because it the Legend spells out luxury.

 

It's too bad that Honda chose to make Acura as both sporty and luxury, but didn't quite work out in the end. They are changing direction now and focusing more on luxury, this is gonna take a lot of time. While Lexus, it has always been luxury, even the IS, it's more luxury than sporty. I think that's one of the reasons why Acura didn't work out as well. But image aside, Acura still has some great cars!

 

Yeah, when I think of Acura the word "luxury" doesn't immediately come to mind. I think of the Acura brand as a slightly upscale brand, but nowhere near the level of luxury as Lexus.

Honda needs to kick their Acura image up a bit. But don't make them into boring drivers like many Lexus' are either.

 

God, I hope Acura NEVER means 'luxury," as opposed to "luxo sport" or "upscale sporty." I thought Acura went sideways when it introduced the underpowered TL, CL and RL post-Vigor post-Legend cars (sorry, all of you 1st gen owners...). I originally thought that Acura and Infiniti were bringing out nice-driving cars to battle BMW, while Lexus could take on the Benzes and Cadillacs driven by those collecting Social Security.

I thought the RSX, TSX and 3G TL were what typified Acura, until the current RL and SUVs came out to muddle the brand. Geeze, I hope Acura doesn't decide it's the "high tech luxury" brand and give us a bunch of floatly, underpowered navi-equipped Lincolns.

 

 

Oh, don't forget, along with all that crap, you'll get SH-AWD too (whether you want it or not)

 

I agree with 1 & 3. No 2 though, I disagree. It's not too late for a V8 (hey that rhymes!!).

And I don't know if anyone's keeping tabs, but Acura is moving up the price ladder. I am willing to bet the next TSX will have an MSRP close to 30k or more than 30K, and there will be no other Acuras beneath that price slot. He'll soon know what an Acura is.

 

And I would be willing to bet teh new TSX will still be a fourbanging well into the next decade...

 

okay this guy an assbag
#1. does he not pick up car magazine or drive. if he did he would have either seen or read about an Acura
#2.the only car i could see the v-8 going into is the RL due to it going up against like Benz E class v-8's or a BMW 5 series v-8. the TL Type S i feel can pretty close hold it's own against a 335 or C class 350. If Honda/Acura offer a supercharger or turbo for the TL type S 3.5 you'd have a M3 fighter/ IS-F fighter. I could see this WAY before a v-8.
Little does he know Honda a very fuel effient company. a V-8 will TOTALLY go against what Honda stands and believes in. I know Toyota/Lexus have been making v-8s for years but as fuel economy they preach (like with the Prius and all that) i'm surprised they went V-8 when they did.
#3. okay the Integra Type R in my opinion in the mid-late 90s kind of kicked off turn up your import car scene. the integra wass something classier and sportier than Civic Si at the time. then the Si got the LSD and eventally RSX-S didn't and resulting in the RSX dieing. but i really don't feel the Integra was a mistake.

 

i could see them putting a RDX engine (the turboed 2.4) in the next gen TSX.

 

Brilliant observation water-s. This has been widely anticipated on many forums.

Ries summary is that Acura has not differentiated itself enough from Honda's core principles of value. A $37,000 turbo'd fourbanger doesn't represent "upscale luxury" which is why the RDX sales are dismal.

 

I just want someone to tell Acura to take a peek over at the Infiniti camp, look at the upcoming EX...that is what the RDX should've been.

 

I can't speak for other people, but the fact that Acura is somewhere between luxury and sport is what attracted me to Acura. I like all the nice touches of a luxury car, but those other brands are out of my price range. I also wanted a step up from Honda though.
So, for me anyway, Acura is fine just the way it is.