Acura to make ‘huge-shift’ to tier 1 luxury, will offer Acura-only vehicles
We’re not at all impressed with the new Acura RL or the new TSX, but it seems like Acura is having dreams of a “huge shift” next year that will move the brand closer to tier 1 luxury brands such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus.
In a 45 minute meeting with dealers Acura said that the brand will be adding one new vehicle a year (including changes to existing models).
“In the next year there will be a huge shift toward tier 1, and the dealer body is excited about that shift,” said Valerie Voyles, CEO of the Ed Voyles Automotive Group in metro Atlanta.
“We’re not up there with Lexus, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but a big shift is coming,” Voyles said. “You’ll see more separation of the brands (Acura and Honda), with more Acura-only product.”
Acura dealers will learn more about future product details at the dealership meeting in New Orleans in April.
Well we hope we’ll see more from Acura than just more overpriced Hondas.
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)
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Mixx it!
Stumble it!
Agreed with that last statement.
If they really want to be Tier 1, they need to offer REAR WHEEL DRIVE. Do you hear me, Acura? Rear-Wheel-Drive.
I don’t even think Acura is Tier 2
At least they know they are way off the mark.
They have A LONG WAY to go.
DrFill
“Hi my name is Acura…I lick Balls…”
That’s all I hear when I see one coming…and also this at the end…
“slrrp”
Acura’s are nice premium vehicles. They don’t have the image as does Lexus, BMW and MB, however they currently offer more features for the price -sometimes considerably so. You just aren’t going to get the image or RWD. And saying Acura is just an overpriced Honda is a very ignorant statement. Call them a more expensive Honda no doubt, but they have the features to match. Otherwise why would people even buy Acura instead of a Honda?
Yeah, Acura should shift to RWD to please the car mags, websites, and the 2% of drivers and enthusiasts who care about it. I’d rather have SH-AWD any day of the week over RWD. Those who clamor for RWD here obviously haven’t driven a SH-AWD car. And RWD is a non-starter for those of us who live in the Northeast, where Honda and Acura do huge business.