THe monthly Acura b.s press release...
http://www.motorauthority.com/...rands/

Apart from Lexus, Japanese luxury brands still pale in comparison to their German rivals in terms of the number of models they produce and the prices they can command. As demand for premium cars continues skywards, execs at carmakers like Infiniti and Acura are becoming more eager to get their piece of the pie. Earlier today we reported about Infiniti looking at launching a new halo model based on Nissan’s GT-R and now we have reports of Acura dealers getting ready for a “huge shift” that will see the brand move closer to tier 1 luxury brands such as Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Speaking at a recent dealer seminar, Ed Voyles Auto Group CEO Valerie Voyles said “there will be a huge shift toward tier 1 next year, and the dealer body is excited about that shift.” According to Voyles, the shift will come about by the launch of several new models including cars that are unique to the Acura brand instead of just being rebadged Honda models.

The first of these new models include the recently revealed RL and TSX sedans, reports Automotive News. These will be followed soon after by a new TL model and eventually a new NSX supercar. Another problem Acura suffers from is a lack of badge-cred. To overcome this, officials have established a separate R&D team from Honda as well as a new Acura racing team that’s competing in the American Le Mans Series.

If Acura is really serious about competing with brands like BMW and Mercedes it will need to expand its lineup beyond the sedan segment and will also require more premium options such as RWD powertrains and high-output engines.


http://www.acurazine.com/forum...pp=25

The poor Acura guys feel the same way, they get press releases all the time but the product isn't even close.

 

This post there was pretty good

Acura has been out since 1986.. the same year that the Hyundai brand started... Acura was spun off of Honda, while Hyundai started from scratch. You would think Acura would have their **** in order by now

You don't hear Hyundai talking about a "huge shift to tier 1 luxury"... but they have a V8 RWD luxury sedan before Acura does... and Hyundai isn't even considered a luxury brand...

Acura is just lost, while those Koreans don't talk the talk, but instead walk the walk...actions do speak louder than words...

 

wow indeed, VERY GOOD post there....

acura shouldn't think too far off first about all the motorsport and racing team... they are not there yet. it's a good start if they have a separate design team from honda, that might help. but having a better separate between models is the first step imho. and admit what cars they need to really enter the luxury segments. not cars like tsx. not cars like the rl as flagship.

i started out with acura tl-s, and over the last 7 years i almost don't see major improvements in acura as a brand. and that poster is so damn right about hyundai. i didn't know when they started, but with the new genesis, indeed, they are here for real

and seeing how acura forum people are also criticizing their own brand as is, that says something

 

Hyundai may have started in the US in '86, but they've been in Korea much longer. I rode in Hyundai taxis in Korea in 1981.

 

Sorry honey bunch but your RL and TSX are called the Legend and Accord in other parts of the globe...hardly unique. Also, I don't really know what kind of Acura-only models they could produce since their entry level/entry level II/Midsize sedan range is already Honda clones, and they don't need another SUV. Only thing I can think of is an NSX and flagship luxury car.

 

I am assuming he meant both Acura/Hyundai came to America in 1986 and Hyundai at this point 22 years later, has more of a luxury vehicle than Acura does.

 

Which is of course a ludicrous statement.

Frequent posters here will know that I am one of the more fervent Hyundai defenders. I have watched their brand totally change, first in product and now (finally) in perception in the U.S.

Acura doesn't need to totally change. They simply need to get back to what they were 15 years ago, which is "precision crafted performance". The brand is currently muddled, and despite that they have a lineup of truly excellent (in some cases class-leading) vehicles at a tremendous bargain price simply due to brand perception.

What I like about that original link in this thread was the statement that they recognize they need a big shift in thinking, product, marketing, customer service, EVERYTHING if they want to seriously play in Tier I. What makes me skeptical is the statement that the RL and TSX we've been widely ridiculing here are the first cars to take them there. Those lackluster efforts will NOT do the job. They need to invest the money in R&D and engineering to produce cars (like the Legend and NSX were at their introduction) that simply blow away the competition.

It's like an Armani suit. You don't have to go around bragging to everybody that you're wearing one--the fabrics are so fine, the tailoring so perfect, the colors and patterns so subtly executed that the excellence of it speaks for itself. I'd love to see Acura start coming out with cars that they don't have to CLAIM are world-class, but that they just roll out on a showrom floor and the public and the automotive press collectively drop their jaws.

 

This is not an actual press release from Acura. It is a news article written by a fairly irreputable company.

Let me explain... FACT: There was a meeting among Acura dealer owners and Acura corp. In this meeting, the dealers were told scant details about Acura Corps future plans with the brand. Part of this meeting involved Acura acknowledging that they are not a tier one brand. They stated (in quotes) that the huge shift to tier one will be in the NEXT YEAR. In April, Acura will again meet with the dealerships to discuss the products that WILL be revealed in the next year. The new TSX and MMC RL are NOT a part of this "huge step" and are not being referred to when speaking of Acura-only vehicles.

If you read the article, you will see that Acura did not say that the next TSX and MMC RL is a part of this "huge step." It is simply one lackluster automotive site (MotorAuthority) referencing the false information of another even more lackluster automotive site (Automotive News).

Part of me wonders if the Voyle family was even allowed to reveal that this meeting and the information discussed took place. Anyways...

 

This is just pathetic - they are talking about a huge shift to "Tier 1" with unique models, the TSX and RL??? They need to fire their marketing department, find the people that designed the original Legend and NSX, hire them back, and let them do some work. And then let their products speak for themselves instead of press releases.

 

As a former owner of 2 Acuras and a Honda before that I'm certainly hoping Acura can impress us all. It all started with that crap 5 cylinder 'Vigor' and then the lame first gen RL. The TL has been a runaway hit essentially because of the value at its price point and great reliability, but a TL still doesn't make a 'statement' like, say, a 3 series. It still comes across, and is, a tarted up Accord.

But I'll never forget my 2 Legends - they were great - both manual trannies, too (first a 5 speed and the second had the amazing 6 speed, pretty rare back in '94, especially for a pretty big sedan!), and who can ever forget the NSX which still turns heads and has respect of enthusiasts. The original Integra on the other hand, was a BIG mistake by Acura - it may have given them a 'volume' model, but it was FAR too cheap looking in and out and hurt the brand.

Today, the RL is actually very nice, and technically very sophisticated, but it's too small for a flagship, too expensive, no V8 option (maybe now they could do a turbo V6?), and too bland from the outside.

The MDX and RDX are very nice too. I'd consider an MDX next time I'm looking for a new SUV.

The TSX is pleasant enough, a bit like an 'economy' A4 or something, but not exactly inspiring.

So at this point Acura needs a new flagship, a MUCH better TL to compete with the G35 and Hyundai Genesis, or maybe 2 models if they want to go after the FWD Lexus ES. The new TSX, depending on all specs (I couldn't be bothered to read the pages long release) may be ok as an entry level vehicle for the brand. It's certainly WORLDS better than the old Integras.

Anyway, fingers crossed here for Acura...

 

Actually the old Integras were ok for Acura at the level where Acura wanted to be. But if Acura wants to be Tier 1, then TSX is just pathetic.

And the old Integras were great. They came in 2 and 4 door, and GS-R and Type R models rocked

 

If Acura really wants to be a tier 1 brand then they need to at least implement RWD and a V8 into at least two of their cars. Or come out with a totally new flagship as the RL just doesn't cut it.

 

The original ones were basically slightly upgraded Civics.



Not bad, but NOTHING luxury about them.

 

Well, I was talking more about the last integras, with double projector headlights, these were hot.

 

So Acura desires to be considered a top tier brand? IMO, it will take something pretty special for the public to perceive Acura as the equal of Lexus, MB, BMW, etc.