Acura Focuses on Niche To Bolster Lineup

Acura sales were down (partially) because, with the exception of the nicely drawn Tl-Series, their vehicles either look completely ridiculous (MD-X/RD-X) or sadly nondescript (RL-Series)...

I drove a friends new MD-X, and came away very disheartened that such a wonderfully well-sorted performer could have been given such an unsightly look.

And People, looks do count in this game...

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 4:20:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I Found the MDX to be handsome looking. I like the lines. Especially at night when you see it heading towars you. It looks imposing

— SoSnootySo (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 5:15:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

People complain when Acura designs cars that "look like Honda's" and then they complain when they give them a bolder look. WHich is it people? I thought the MDX was hideous when I first saw it too. But it's looking better everytime I see it, AND you won't mistake it for a Honda :) I think Acura needs to do more like the MDX and less like the RL. Develop your own style. Unique designs are often not well liked at first.

— SpicyMikey (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 6:02:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I agree I think the MDX is one of the best looking SUV'S on the market and people keep dogging the grill, Acura finally got brave and now they are getting knocked. The grill adds character to the truck and inside is every mans dream buttons. "Advance"

— mikeydred20 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 9:35:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I hope all of their new models carry the MDX's design language. The RL is a nothing, and the TL seems to be getting more bland by the day. Inject some spice into these sedans! When the '07 MDX came out, I thought it was terrible, but now I can tell that I will never get tired of seeing it- completely unlike the old model.

I'm surprised that their sales are down this year. I thought the MDX would give them all of the boost they'd need.

— S4cabriofoxone (View Profile)

Posted on 9/25/2007 11:34:03 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

acura started going downhill, imho, when they abandoned the distinctive Legend and Integra names and started using non-descript alphabet soup names.

the styling then followed down the road to anonymity.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 9/26/2007 5:27:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Acura's problem isn't styling per say, it is the lack of product. You have a bunch of boring sedans and suvs, what do you expect to happen to their sales? Then on top of that, other Japanese luxury makes are killing them in the sedan area, particularly Infiniti in the entry-level to mid-size market. Acura has absolutely no answer to the M45, GS460, GS450h and of course nothing to combat the king of Japanese sedans, the LS460/L. Acura on paper is a loser brand if there ever was one. Back in the day they had a swagger about themselves with the Legend, Legend Coupe and NSX. What type of luxury brand doesn't have a single coupe, convertible, sports car or anything with less than 4-doors. I would cry if I had to buy one Acura after another. What other luxury brand do you know of in which their lower level car (TL) shows up their supposed to be flagship (RL). Who would buy a RL over a TL? For what reason? Acura has gotten by on quality and reliability for years and years, but their time is up. Infiniti makes better looking, way more fun to drive cars, Lexus makes higher quality, better built car with more refinement and offers way more choices. Either Honda is going to have to start to think big and give Acura something other than a re-worked Accord platform for all their models (count them, they're all based on either some variation of the U.S. or European Accord!) Could you imagine if Lexus or Mercedes or BMW tried to build all their models on one or two different platforms? If it weren't for Acura's cheaper prices and quality they'd be out of business by now.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 9/27/2007 8:20:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Talk about a real dummy with no reading comprehension to be found. Silverarrow2, did you actually read what I said? I said imagine if Lexus, BMW or Mercedes built all of their models on just 2 platforms. Meaning that Lexus, Mercedes, BMW use multiple platforms, not the same 2 for every model. This has nothing to do with where the platforms come from or whether or not those platforms make certain Lexus models a real Lexus or anything like that. Learn how to read and comprehend before posting. No one said a thing about who had an original platform, only the number of platforms used. Once again this site proves to be a blissful place of the most uninformed, so-called "car" people on the net.

— Mercedes (View Profile)

Posted on 9/28/2007 1:39:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

good points, Mercedes!

having studied a little psychology, here's how i analyze the alphanumeric fad:

if a car is notable on it's OWN MERITS, people will take note and accept any name the maker gives it, short of totally goofy ones.

if a car is NOT notable, no one will bother to clutter their brain with MEANINGLESS letters/numbers. a REAL name in this case is at least easier to remember.

back in the day, car makers spent BIG BUCKS to come up with interesting and memorable names. often animals or whatever. like with so many other components, seems like now they just "cheap out" on easy to slap together alphanumerics.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 9/29/2007 5:18:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

maybe some makers/marketing depts think by switching from real names to letters/numbers, buyers will ASSOCIATE the cars with other cars with established reps which also happen to have alphanumerics.

just how DUMB do they think consumers are? such makes DESERVE sales declines.
lincoln seems to have followed acura down this stupidity path.
even hyundai seems to know better, taking the OPPOSITE tack and replacing the XG350 with Genesis.

— XYZZ (View Profile)

Posted on 9/29/2007 5:25:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2