Honda will strengthen Acura's image
12-30-05, 09:10 PM
#1
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Honda will strengthen Acura's image
Honda will strengthen Acura's image
James B. Treece
Automotive News / December 26, 2005 - 6:00 am
TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. will try to give the Acura brand a stronger identity.
"We're going to differentiate the Honda and Acura brands and grow both," Honda CEO Takeo Fukui says.
As one step to differentiate its two brands, Honda is reorganizing its engineering staff. Engineers will be asked to develop features and attributes that clearly support each brand's identity. Fukui says Acura will continue as a sporty performance brand. It will not attempt to be a luxury brand like Lexus.
Honda will not separate Honda and Acura designers, he says. Toyota Motor Corp. separated Toyota and Lexus stylists before launching the Lexus brand in Japan in August.
Honda will launch its Acura brand in China next year and in Japan by the autumn of 2008. Stronger identities for each brand will be necessary when they are sold together in Japan.
The Acura brand debuted in the United States in 1986.
In China, the Acura lineup will include the RL and the U.S.-built TL. China also will get the successor to the NSX sports car. Fukui says the debut date of the NSX's successor has not been set.
Honda has not said what Acura models will be sold in Japan. The RL now is sold in Japan as the Honda Legend. Other Acura models also are badged as Hondas in Japan.
Automotive News / December 26, 2005 - 6:00 am
TOKYO - Honda Motor Co. will try to give the Acura brand a stronger identity.
"We're going to differentiate the Honda and Acura brands and grow both," Honda CEO Takeo Fukui says.
As one step to differentiate its two brands, Honda is reorganizing its engineering staff. Engineers will be asked to develop features and attributes that clearly support each brand's identity. Fukui says Acura will continue as a sporty performance brand. It will not attempt to be a luxury brand like Lexus.
Honda will not separate Honda and Acura designers, he says. Toyota Motor Corp. separated Toyota and Lexus stylists before launching the Lexus brand in Japan in August.
Honda will launch its Acura brand in China next year and in Japan by the autumn of 2008. Stronger identities for each brand will be necessary when they are sold together in Japan.
The Acura brand debuted in the United States in 1986.
In China, the Acura lineup will include the RL and the U.S.-built TL. China also will get the successor to the NSX sports car. Fukui says the debut date of the NSX's successor has not been set.
Honda has not said what Acura models will be sold in Japan. The RL now is sold in Japan as the Honda Legend. Other Acura models also are badged as Hondas in Japan.
12-30-05, 09:26 PM
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Another useless marketing and publicity attempt which=LMAO.
They should begin by not making every Acura a version of a Civic or Accord.
Then actually figure out "hey, we are the only ******** that don't offer a RWD car"
And "we are the only ******** without a V-8 or larger"
On top of that, its not like Acura is missing sales. With their cheap value pricing, anyone can get one and sales have never been higher. So why do they feel the need to take a jab at Lexus as "luxury only". Did they fogert the SC 300/400, IS 300, GS 300/400/430 and now the IS 250/350?
WTF??? Do u know what a Lexus press release about Acura would say..
Nothing.
They are concerned with true players, BMW and Benz.
They should begin by not making every Acura a version of a Civic or Accord.
Then actually figure out "hey, we are the only ******** that don't offer a RWD car"
And "we are the only ******** without a V-8 or larger"
On top of that, its not like Acura is missing sales. With their cheap value pricing, anyone can get one and sales have never been higher. So why do they feel the need to take a jab at Lexus as "luxury only". Did they fogert the SC 300/400, IS 300, GS 300/400/430 and now the IS 250/350?
WTF??? Do u know what a Lexus press release about Acura would say..
Nothing.
They are concerned with true players, BMW and Benz.
12-30-05, 11:32 PM
#3
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i agree...the japanese market will be a tough nut to crack since the acura branded cars that are sold elsewhere in the world are technically hondas...they need to seperate themselves like lexus did and come up with completely distinguishable cars that are only acura. And they do need a V8 bad
12-31-05, 07:45 AM
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1Sick: Step. Away. From. The. Keyboard! *LOL*
Seriously, you took this one a little hard, don't you think? First off, this isn't an Acura/Honda press release, it's a news article. The thing about Lexus being a luxury brand isn't a quote from the Honda CEO, it's a paraphrase. And the way I took it, it was a compliment. He's basically saying that Acura can't compete at the level Lexus does so they're going more directly after the route Infiniti has followed with it's recent products. Besides which, the Lexus brand stands for quality and luxury, NOT performance. None of the cars you mentioned when defending Lexus' performance heritage have a reputation as class leaders in the performance department. It's true that the 2nd gen GS was the quickest and best-braking sedan when introduced, but it lost those distinctions quickly and was never a contender when it came to cornering and handling. The IS350 has potential, but has pretty much been dismissed as "another nice try" by Lexus with the 3-series still seen as the benchmark.
As for RWD, are you forgetting about the NSX?
And you really dog Acura for their "cheap value pricing", but the "anyone" you say can get an Acura can just as easily get a cheap lease on an ES or IS. If you take a step back, you will see that this is simply smart business for Acura the way they are expanding into China and Japan without taking on Lexus head-on. They have ceded that market to Toyota and have found another niche which they feel they can dominate more easily.
Seriously, you took this one a little hard, don't you think? First off, this isn't an Acura/Honda press release, it's a news article. The thing about Lexus being a luxury brand isn't a quote from the Honda CEO, it's a paraphrase. And the way I took it, it was a compliment. He's basically saying that Acura can't compete at the level Lexus does so they're going more directly after the route Infiniti has followed with it's recent products. Besides which, the Lexus brand stands for quality and luxury, NOT performance. None of the cars you mentioned when defending Lexus' performance heritage have a reputation as class leaders in the performance department. It's true that the 2nd gen GS was the quickest and best-braking sedan when introduced, but it lost those distinctions quickly and was never a contender when it came to cornering and handling. The IS350 has potential, but has pretty much been dismissed as "another nice try" by Lexus with the 3-series still seen as the benchmark.
As for RWD, are you forgetting about the NSX?
And you really dog Acura for their "cheap value pricing", but the "anyone" you say can get an Acura can just as easily get a cheap lease on an ES or IS. If you take a step back, you will see that this is simply smart business for Acura the way they are expanding into China and Japan without taking on Lexus head-on. They have ceded that market to Toyota and have found another niche which they feel they can dominate more easily.
12-31-05, 08:17 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Another useless marketing and publicity attempt which=LMAO.
They should begin by not making every Acura a version of a Civic or Accord.
Then actually figure out "hey, we are the only ******** that don't offer a RWD car"
And "we are the only ******** without a V-8 or larger"
On top of that, its not like Acura is missing sales. With their cheap value pricing, anyone can get one and sales have never been higher. So why do they feel the need to take a jab at Lexus as "luxury only". Did they fogert the SC 300/400, IS 300, GS 300/400/430 and now the IS 250/350?
WTF??? Do u know what a Lexus press release about Acura would say..
Nothing.
They are concerned with true players, BMW and Benz.
They should begin by not making every Acura a version of a Civic or Accord.
Then actually figure out "hey, we are the only ******** that don't offer a RWD car"
And "we are the only ******** without a V-8 or larger"
On top of that, its not like Acura is missing sales. With their cheap value pricing, anyone can get one and sales have never been higher. So why do they feel the need to take a jab at Lexus as "luxury only". Did they fogert the SC 300/400, IS 300, GS 300/400/430 and now the IS 250/350?
WTF??? Do u know what a Lexus press release about Acura would say..
Nothing.
They are concerned with true players, BMW and Benz.
You speak of Acura/Honda as if they were GM. While Honda has made mistakes with their image and product offerings they have always produced a high quality product. If Acura is not doing something Lexus is doing it is more because they have not done it rather than they can't do it.
Lexus is still the best in the business and their are no contenders on the horizon. Just relax a little more.
12-31-05, 08:46 AM
#6
Originally Posted by Order66
I do value your opinions, but sometimes you do need to calm down a little. You seem to feel a need to defend Lexus or constantly say how much better they are then everyone else. I think everyone here knows how good Lexus is. A decade plus of awards and sales success proves it as well.
You speak of Acura/Honda as if they were GM. While Honda has made mistakes with their image and product offerings they have always produced a high quality product. If Acura is not doing something Lexus is doing it is more because they have not done it rather than they can't do it.
Lexus is still the best in the business and their are no contenders on the horizon. Just relax a little more.
You speak of Acura/Honda as if they were GM. While Honda has made mistakes with their image and product offerings they have always produced a high quality product. If Acura is not doing something Lexus is doing it is more because they have not done it rather than they can't do it.
Lexus is still the best in the business and their are no contenders on the horizon. Just relax a little more.
However, I find it hillarious that Honda is even thinking of doing anything with FWD cars in what is an luxury segment. It wont work, unless they move to RWD.
Look at Alfa's, most beautiful cars in the world, losing money like hot cakes. You cant charge premium for FWD torque steer.
Last edited by spwolf; 12-31-05 at 09:38 AM.
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12-31-05, 10:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Order66
I do value your opinions, but sometimes you do need to calm down a little. You seem to feel a need to defend Lexus or constantly say how much better they are then everyone else. I think everyone here knows how good Lexus is. A decade plus of awards and sales success proves it as well.
You speak of Acura/Honda as if they were GM. While Honda has made mistakes with their image and product offerings they have always produced a high quality product. If Acura is not doing something Lexus is doing it is more because they have not done it rather than they can't do it.
Lexus is still the best in the business and their are no contenders on the horizon. Just relax a little more.
You speak of Acura/Honda as if they were GM. While Honda has made mistakes with their image and product offerings they have always produced a high quality product. If Acura is not doing something Lexus is doing it is more because they have not done it rather than they can't do it.
Lexus is still the best in the business and their are no contenders on the horizon. Just relax a little more.
Seems even Acura fans know this is more b.s than anything.
This is a good read too, on the RL failing again. Acura diehards know something is wrong, its not me.
http://www.acurazine.com/forums/show...&page=28&pp=25
Last edited by LexFather; 12-31-05 at 10:45 AM.
12-31-05, 11:09 AM
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Iceman
As for RWD, are you forgetting about the NSX?
.
.
12-31-05, 12:18 PM
#10
Lexus Fanatic
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Honda just doens't have sufficient money to really fund Acura to compete but I still love Honda for their innovation and doing things no one else would consider. They didn't make the NSX to make money, but it's *STILL* an unbelievably innovative car given it's built almost entirely of aluminum and is an easy daily driver as well as being an extremely capable sports car.
12-31-05, 02:53 PM
#11
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
Honda just doens't have sufficient money to really fund Acura to compete but I still love Honda for their innovation and doing things no one else would consider. They didn't make the NSX to make money, but it's *STILL* an unbelievably innovative car given it's built almost entirely of aluminum and is an easy daily driver as well as being an extremely capable sports car.
More recently, in 2000, we saw Honda beat Toyota ( slightly, by just a few months ) introducing a hybrid gas-electric drivetrain ( IMA ) into the American market...though, granted, the parallel-hybrid system in the first Prius was more sophisticated and flexible than the simpler series-hybrid Honda system in the Insight and Civic Hybrid. Both Honda and Toyota / Lexus are expanding their hybrid offerings faster than any other manufacturers...the Ford Escape Hybrid uses Toyota technology and equipment under license.
Now....Honda is on the threshold of being the first manufacturer to offer a hydrogen / fuel cell car for general public use...the FCX . Currently it is available only to a few select groups and agencies, but that may soon change as production costs come down. Right now, however, the lack of an extensive nationwide refuelling system for hydrogen is holding up the FCX's production more than the car itself.
01-01-06, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Seems even Acura fans know this is more b.s than anything.
This is a good read too, on the RL failing again. Acura diehards know something is wrong, its not me.
This is a good read too, on the RL failing again. Acura diehards know something is wrong, its not me.
01-01-06, 10:07 AM
#13
agree with what most said here. but on the positive side, i am glad that honda is at least able to read what we have said (or some others) and realized the problem. i just wish them success in able to further out the distance between acura and honda -- they need it bad
01-01-06, 10:50 AM
#14
Lexus Champion
RWD, V8, and drop the TL, or completely revamp it. The TL is a hot selling car, but it's a poor example of what Acura stands for. It's an American vehicle, that has the duribility and quality of an American Vehicle. Just read anywhere about the TL's transmission history, 04+ interior quality, and the 04+ tires.
On the plus side, Acura has by far the best nav systems in the world, hands down.
On the plus side, Acura has by far the best nav systems in the world, hands down.