Acura aims to deliver big-league luxury
12-10-08, 05:29 AM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
I agree that Acura could build a very nice flagship that would compete with the LS. There are many families that are Honda / Acura families that would buy into this.
I hope they do it!
I hope they do it!
12-10-08, 01:24 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 1,534
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I really like Acuras, but it seems like their current marketing and product line-up contradicts with the stated goal of being a luxury brand. All their cars are marketed as full-featured and packed with the latest gadgets and technology, almost a niche product for a younger crowd that is tired of traditional brands. I believe Lexus is more modeled after Mercedes and Infiniti is modeled after BMW, so Acura just needs to find its own identity, but one that is synonymous with luxury as well as technology.
It also works against them that their line-up slots right in-between the competitors' models, which makes it hard to compare for consumers.
It also works against them that their line-up slots right in-between the competitors' models, which makes it hard to compare for consumers.
12-10-08, 04:01 PM
#22
Pole Position
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Colorado
Posts: 293
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would love to see it happen. I was telling my buddy back in the Alex Zanardi days of Cart that when Honda decides to bring out a V-8 the world better watch out.
I guess world domination is just not in the cards for Honda/Acrua.
I guess world domination is just not in the cards for Honda/Acrua.
12-10-08, 09:08 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
good to hear they are going to step it up. They are not equal to lexus in total luxury. They need to develop a RWD car to be a true competiror imo.
12-11-08, 06:19 AM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it's too late for Acura to catch up to Lexus in the luxury car department, as far as imige is concerned. For many consumers, imo, the perception is that Acura is somewhere between Lexus and Toyota/Honda, and that will be difficult to change. It's ironic because Honda created Acura as the first upscale Japanese car. Toyota and Nissan copied Honda with Lexus and Infiniti, respectively, and have since surpassed Acura, leaving Acura as the also-ran.
It's similar to American cars. American passenger cars these days have improved and are a lot better than the 80 or 90 but still many consumers are not giving American cars a chance, because they just can't shake off the perception that American cars are crap.
It's similar to American cars. American passenger cars these days have improved and are a lot better than the 80 or 90 but still many consumers are not giving American cars a chance, because they just can't shake off the perception that American cars are crap.
12-11-08, 06:44 AM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
I think it's too late for Acura to catch up to Lexus in the luxury car department, as far as imige is concerned. For many consumers, imo, the perception is that Acura is somewhere between Lexus and Toyota/Honda, and that will be difficult to change. It's ironic because Honda created Acura as the first upscale Japanese car. Toyota and Nissan copied Honda with Lexus and Infiniti, respectively, and have since surpassed Acura, leaving Acura as the also-ran.
It's similar to American cars. American passenger cars these days have improved and are a lot better than the 80 or 90 but still many consumers are not giving American cars a chance, because they just can't shake off the perception that American cars are crap.
It's similar to American cars. American passenger cars these days have improved and are a lot better than the 80 or 90 but still many consumers are not giving American cars a chance, because they just can't shake off the perception that American cars are crap.
But, there is still a lot of truth to the old adage that American-designed vehicles are inferior, Yes, some improvements have been made, especially in the Cadillac CTS, Chevy Malibu/Saturn Aura, some GM SUV interiors, and the reliability of a lot of Ford products. But there is still a major difference, overall, in general quality between American-designed and Asian-designed vehicles. That is not an "image". It is a fact.
12-11-08, 11:44 PM
#26
Somewhat ironically, considering their historical sales in recent years as the #2 Japanese luxury brand, they logically could take the #2 spot in prestige, image etc. in this category. But instead it's kinda a wash, just as the recent customer retention numbers and other stats indicate. Funny thing is that the Acura TL ads recently remind me of the Infiniti ones...a metaphoric display of something (diver/wave/etc) followed by the car. The current styling is polarizing, but there is potential here. I'd start by getting a better slogan. "Advance" is nice but too short.
12-12-08, 03:59 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 7,864
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"The most powerful Acura ever built" is also a disappointing ad campaign to me.
Anyone can build a car with a lot of HP, so this ad is lacking. The new TL is extremely sophisticated (just drive one to find out) and I think Acura should show many more aspects of this car in it's launch ads. Power doesn't distinguish you in a market flooded with high powered cars. They should be talking about their advanced tech, SH-AWD, superb quality, ect...
Anyone can build a car with a lot of HP, so this ad is lacking. The new TL is extremely sophisticated (just drive one to find out) and I think Acura should show many more aspects of this car in it's launch ads. Power doesn't distinguish you in a market flooded with high powered cars. They should be talking about their advanced tech, SH-AWD, superb quality, ect...
12-12-08, 08:43 AM
#28
Somewhat ironically, considering their historical sales in recent years as the #2 Japanese luxury brand
12-12-08, 12:15 PM
#30
Somewhat ironically, considering their historical sales in recent years as the #2 Japanese luxury brand, they logically could take the #2 spot in prestige, image etc. in this category. But instead it's kinda a wash, just as the recent customer retention numbers and other stats indicate. Funny thing is that the Acura TL ads recently remind me of the Infiniti ones...a metaphoric display of something (diver/wave/etc) followed by the car. The current styling is polarizing, but there is potential here. I'd start by getting a better slogan. "Advance" is nice but too short.