neuronbob

Acura calls it "building momentum" in the press release.

Jeff Conrad (director of sales) says "With the ILX gaining its stride, Acura is sure to see robust sales increases for many months to come."

Discuss.

4cruizn

ILX June 1,081 units
ILX July 1,410 units

TSX June 2,602 units
TSX July 1,980 units


So yes, ILX is picking up. What's interesting is how TSX dipped, though. Are people who would potentially going to buy the TSX now buying ILX? But what about all that talk of "TSX is much more car for the same money"?

I'll be anxious to see what August does.

iforyou

iTrader: (1)

I thought there are some good incentives with the TSX...no?

Acura_Dude

This is very interesting. The more I see the ILX the more it grows on me. Can't wait to see how much the mpg's increase with the Earth Dreams motor(s).

Colin

Not bad, $500 dealer cash, good lease rates and 0.9 and 1.9% financing. This number is short of the monthly number needed to reach their stated annual goals. However, while they are planning for 40K a year, they've also said that the number will be smaller in this (2012) calender year. All I can say is that we couldn't have sold any more than we did. We sold our last one two days before the next shipment arrived.

terdonal

Up here on the TSX it is a $2000.00 rebate with 0.5 percent financing over 3 years 0.9 percent financing over 4 years. Still went for the ILX, even with the optional wheels, trunk mat, rear mud guards, we still paid over $2000.00 less than TSX and got 1/4 percent financing over 3 years and we have 6mt. Mind you if we were really interested in the TSX I am sure he would have done better. We were going to pay cash but we can make around $1000.00 on our money over that same 3 years so financing was a no
brainer.

Still I am not overly impressed with their sales to date myself.

neuronbob

A good point. I may be one of those to whom you refer. I still want a TSX wagon but will probably end up in an ILX 6MT at this point.

So Colin, what's a lease on an ILX 6MT look like nowadays?

SSFTSX

TL sells droped by 1000 from June. i guess people buying ILX

Rocket_man

Full figures... don't forget the hybrids...

May (Partial month): 168 + 34 (hybrids) = 202
Jun (not 100% build rate?): 1,081 + 115 = 1,196
Jul (should be full production): 1,410 + 110 = 1,520

Combined sedan sales in Jul are ~1,400 less than sales in Jun. Got to be some other reason other than the ILX. Maybe just seasonal. SUV sales are lower too.

RL+ TL + TSX + ILX + Hybrid
Jun: 32 + 3377 + 2602 + 1181 + 115 = 7307
Jul: 40 + 2358 + 1980 + 1410 + 110 = 5898

SSFTSX

ILX total 1410 includes 110 hybrids.
It is even poor performance for Hybrid than CRZ which is not a practical car.
TSX is essentially one engine car. as V6 is 1 or 2 per dealer.
ILX started with 3.

TSXKid2010

Do you guys think that ILX sales are directly affecting TSX sales?

Colin

Still pretty stout. I'm out of the office but I believe it's still 63% for 10K miles per year. The special is for 39 months so keep that in mind as you compare. BTW, they added 0.9% (36) and 1.9% (60 months) financing to the ILX today.

TSX69

If memory serves, the recall caused a stop-sale ... is it still in effect? If not, how long did it last?

Ken1997TL

Get the wagon, you won't regret it!

I'm a bit biased though...

4cruizn

Correct
Yeah, I think they are
I'm not sure. When I went in to have the recall performed on mine on 7/23/12, this is what every ILX on display had in the front window.

Colin

You are correct, it did cause a "stop sale" for the ILX. However, for us it didn't affect the total number of sales, it just delayed the deliveries of the cars already sold. This is not to say that other dealers didn't have sales pushed back into this month if they were unable to get the necessary repair parts.

crcendo

iTrader: (3)

Last week when I went to drive the ILX, my wife and I studied both cars on the showroom floor. We concluded that yes, the TSX has more power, more room, and is likely the best value. Although we preferred the ILX due to its new technology (tech pack), fresh styling, and size. I'm wondering if Acura will actually change the engine for 2013 to the new dream series. That could potentially delay my purchase.

Ken1997TL

I wouldn't be surprised if the Earth Dreams motors were added for 2013.

Honda needs to introduce them all ASAP. It's nice to see direct injection "done right" with the long-term reliability and real-world fuel economy we expect from Honda.

crcendo

iTrader: (3)

I was just thinking the ILX first model year is 2013. Would you think they would consider a mid year change or wait for 2014?

Ken1997TL

Ahh, I meant calendar year 2013/model year 2014. Sorry for the confusion. I'm taking a wild guess here, but since the ILX and Civic are related - the Civic getting extensive changes very soon - it wouldn't surprised me to see Earth Dreams engines added. Strike while the iron is hot.

Unfortunately, Honda has a bad history of leaving cars on the vine...

Rocket_man

My mistake, mis-read that.

Acura_Dude

Can't wait to see how the Earth Dreams perform. I agree for the most part, and the more I see the ILX the more it grows on me. Very nice car imo. With the 6spd it has the same powertrain as the TSX just less room. Either way Acura will sell more of these in the coming mos from my guess, so I expect good things out of this car.

Colin

I want to temper my ED expectations a bit. I have no doubt that the new family will better but we need to be realistic. The current (allegedly) antiquated R Series + 5AT combo delivers equal or better fuel economy in the REAL world to the Hyundai's vaunted Nu + 6AT combo.

If the suggested 10% improvement comes to pass, we could see a 1.8 Civic making 154 HP and 42 mpg over the current 140hp and 39 mpg. I can already hear the collective internet taking a deep breath to whine about it. In fact, I bet the complaint articles are already written over at Edmunds....

Acura_Dude

So true. I'm not expecting something earth-changing, but hoping Honda gets back to its roots and class-leading engineering. 10% could be a great thing. I'm pretty sure the ILX sales will pick up also.

gonzo08452

fyi....July 2012 sales

Verano 4,235
CT 1,499 +4.6%
ILX 1,410; hybrid 110

IS 2,296 +7.9%
TSX 1,980 -7.3%; wagon 316 +37.5%
Regal 1,784 -49.4%
A3 651 +49.3%
1series 379 -42.9%

3series 7,653 -11.4%
G 6,078 +88.8%; coupe 1,287 +1.3%
Cclass 5,663 +24.4%
CTS 4,743 +6.6%
LaCrosse 4,001 -33%
ES 3,759 +42.9%
A4 3,449 +51.7%
TL 2,358 -7.7%
MKX 1,724 -10%

5series 5,700 +32%
Eclass 5,089 -.5%
XTS 1,739
A6 1,691 +66.8%
GS 1,662 +452.3%
MKS 878 -19.7%
M 652 -6.5%
RL 40 -38.1%

7series 1,696 +158.9%
Sclass 852 -3.9%
LS 536 -7.2%
A8 401 -10.9%
Equus 362

RX 7,357 +45.7%
RDX 2,664 +162.4%
X3 2,311 +4.7%
Q5 2,090 10%
GLK 1,880 +15.5%
EX 215 -61.6%

SRX 4,911 +18.8%
Enclave 4,360 -29%
MDX 4,288 +35.1%
X5 2,283 -31.4%
JX 1,999
Mclass 1,790 -35.6%
Q7 891 +12.8%
GX 813 +6.1%
FX 498 -23%

X6 259 -55.4%
ZDX 85 -9.7%



Spark 1,460
Smart 780 +138.5%
iQ 557

Versa 7,451
Sonic 6,278
Accent 5,257
Fit 4,608 +2.8%; EV 7
Fiesta 4,059 -23.4%
Golf 4,008 +13.5%
500 3,710 +22%
Rio 3,646
Yaris 1,271 -1%
2 905 -15.6%

Civic 25,004 +934%; hybrid 471 +64.1%
Corolla 23,640 +45.7%
Elantra 18,512
Focus 16,454 +10.5%
Cruze 14,954 -39.3%
Jetta 13,629 -13.3%
Sentra 9,888 +13.3%
3 9,027 -2.8%
Forte 6,216
Impreza 4,553 +110.6%
Dart 772

Camry 29,913 +20%
Accord 28,639 +84.3%
Altima 26,602 +24.7%
Fusion 23,326 +20.7%
Sonata 20,978
Optima 13,317
Malibu 12,345 -36.8%
200 9,287 +43%
Passat 9,007 +661.4%
Avenger 5,188 +43%
Legacy 3,321 -8.9%
6 1,289 -49.3%

Impala 9,359 +27.7%
Charger 6,440 +21%
Taurus 5,256 +15.3%
Maxima 5,118 -14%
300 3,399 +41%
Avalon 1,690 -32.1%
Azera 977

Mustang 7,371 +8.3%
Camaro 6,926 -9.7%
Challenger 3,631 +3%G
Genesis 3,103
FR-S 1,649
370z 654 +18.9%
BRZ 498

Prius 16,643 +128%
Volt 1,849
Insight 419 -54%
LEAF 395 -57.6%
CR-Z 330 -59.3%

Juke 2,960 -8.1%
Veloster 2,781

Soul 10,063
xB 1,708 +55%
Cube 578 -48.5%
Caliber 520 -84%

Outback 9,282 +10.9%
Venza 3,995 -8.1%
CrossTour 1,874 _37.5%

Escape 21,572 -11.6%
CR-V 20,554 +59.7%
Equinox 19,906 +16.5%
Rav4 15,248 +87.4%
Rogue 13,193 +17.2%
Grand Cherokee 11,571 +22%
Forester 6,453 +3.78%
Patriot 5,870 +28%
CX-5 4,208
Compass 4,099 -7%
Tucson 4,062
Sportage 3,606
Tiguan 2,966 +26.2%
Grand Vitara 2,266 +23%

Explorer 11,313 +14.3%
HighLander 10,669 +21%
Sorento 10,045
Pilot 9,757 +6.2%
Edge 9,177 -5.7%
Terrain 7,595 +4%
Acadia 7,390 -29.1%
Journey 7,051 +69%
Traverse 5,746 -59.8%
Sana Fe 4,619
Murano 4,363 -1.2%
Durango 2,736 -49%
CX-9 1,979 -25%
Veracruz 1,370
Touareg 740 +41.8%
Tribeca 151 -35.74%

Odyssey 11,953 +104.5%
Sienna 9,636 -1.7%
Caravan 9,247 +43%
Town & Country 8,106 +25%
Flex 2,318 -3.1%
Quest 1,369 -4.1%
Sedona 1,181
Routan 1,094 =31.9%
5 994 -16.2%

Acura_Dude

Odyssey is slamming it in sales. Of course it isn't the only one that is.

SSFTSX

Problem for ILX sales will multiply. once new A3 sedan is lunched that will get closer to 40mpg with 1.8TFSI.(180bhp) You have engine with better torque than 2.4L and better fuel economic than 2.0L.
Even the new 2.0TDI will exceed 2.0L ILX performance.
It will take alot of discounting from Acura for ILX sales to consistently ever exceed 2000.
ILX is simply not good value. It is more than $7k expesnive than loaded Civic
while TSX is $3.5K more than EXL-Navi Accord.
slight upgrade to Civic and upcoming new Accord will take the rest of sales.
There is very small market for ILX just like CRZ.
Even the MMC A4 is getting 3500 sales a month.

Mowgli

Compared to the Buicks in June then July..

Verano 4091
TSX 2602
Regal 2326
ILX 1081

Verano 4235
TSX 1980
Regal 1784
ILX 1410

Colin

Only folks on the internet and car journalists really compare Acura to Buick. Even with the improvements and (attempted) changes to their image, Buick is a non-starter in our town. It's only a rental, no 'real' customers buy them.

crcendo

iTrader: (3)

I don't know what you mean by "real" customers, but Buick is very real competition to the Acura brand. Your comment sounds pretentious. If you were to cross shop the ilx to the verano dollar for dollar with an open mind, it would be a close call. I found the verano to be very well equipped, faster, and overall more solid feeling than the ilx. It even offered heated steering wheel.

Colin

By real people I mean "not rental car companies". And I'm not trying to be pretentious. Just trying to be factual. For all of the comparisons I see online between the Buick and the Acura, the reality is no customers in the showroom ever mention a Buick. Maybe one or two would cross shop the Enclave against the MDX, but Buick sedans? Never. I love how people like to post the sales numbers for the Buick which has heavy fleet sales, as if that is supposed to be an advantage. When in reality, it's only hurting the resale value of those vehicles (like GM always does). Okay, so the Buick has a heated steering wheel, how about if they added a power reclined to the seat to make it a fully powered driver seat? Also, what is with the huge ugly grill that is totally nonfunctional? Same with the portholes. Totally nonfunctional.

neuronbob

I don't know anyone in my offline life who compares Buick with Acura, or cross shops the two. In Cleveland, people who buy Buicks are typically folks who would never set foot in an "import" showroom. People who buy Acuras nowadays are Honda loyalists or people who know of or own the Japanese brands. Colin is right for his market. What I state is likely true for where I live.

I know of the Verano because I'm a "car guy" and pay attention to these things. I, myself, would love to give a Verano Turbo a try upon release.

To Colin's side of the argument I would say that GM recently stated that they would not be fighting loss of Cruze (Verano's cousin) sales with incentives because they now realize that doing so seriously hurts resale value. It seems that GM has learned something from the old days. Smart on them!

crcendo

iTrader: (3)

I will bow out of this one, but the new buicks are no slouch. Their smaller cars are all euro platforms with potential. Most auto manufacturers are recognizing if they aren't competitive, they will lose their loyal fans. I never thought I would have purchased a Hyundai until the 2011's were released, and now we have one in the drive way. Looking to replace my cl in the next year or so with a new 2013, but there is so much competition in the 28-35 range that I believe it will be a tough decision.

Just to name a few hard hitters:
Vw cc
Vw jetta gli
Kia optima sx turbo
tsx
Ilx
New accord/altima (top range cars)

Mowgli

I would argue with the ILX and RDX, Acura is still targeting a younger market than Buick, but now Acura feels youth want tech features instead of responsivenes while companies like Buick are obviously putting more of an effort into the latter ...still not realistically a gen-y car except for those who ignore the badge.

CoquiTSX

I agree with most of your comments. But I would expect the A3 sedan, as much as I like the "prototype" photos to be quite more expensive than the ILX, unless you get a bare bones model.

Acura_Dude

smarty666

I might be in the market for a new ILX 4cyl with the tech/prem package before the end of this month.

Anyone can tell me how much you were able to knock off the msrp so I can be armed with numbers when I go in to negotiate?

Spirited Driver

I'm thinking of leasing the 6 speed then possibly buying it after and sending it overseas. I believe I was quoted a couple of hundred over invoice.

spdandpwr

^could you find out more on what lease rate you're getting? I was quoted $330 w/ 0 down, first months payment made, for 38 months, 10k miles...I will pay for documentation and registration, though. ($504)

Spirited Driver

I was quoted: $300 per month, $1,800 down, 12k miles per, 38 months