John Walker asked:


ClubCorp, the World Leader in Private Clubs, announced that Acura was going to be the title sponsor of two Acura ClubCorp Team Championships for the fourth year in a row. The team championships would be held in July and September, at Pinehurst in Pinehurst Village, North Carolina.The event will witness 50 business clubs, sports clubs and societies with over 330 members participating at the2008 Team Championship from July 9 – 13. Another group of 440 members representing ClubCorp’s 80 country clubs and resorts will meet on Sept. 3 - 7.Dallas-based ClubCorp, the world leader in Private ClubsSM, owns and operates more than 150 golf courses, country clubs, private business and sports clubs and resorts. Frank Gore, ClubCorp’s executive Vice President of membership said that the Club’s members greatly enjoyed the Acura test drives, the skills challenge and the hole-in-one opportunities, ever since the beginning of the 15-year old partnership with Acura. Acura is Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company’s luxury division and is renowned for its lineup of technologically advanced Acura sports vehicles. The Acura sports car brand is represented by a nationwide network of 268 dealers in the United States. For 2008, the new Acura lineup includes the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle. Acura’s models, TL and TSX were well received by car buyers and the motoring press and became Acura’s top selling vehicles; the TSX was on Car and Driver’s Ten Best list from 2004-2006.

Dawn

Anthony Fontanelle asked:



Honda’s luxury division Acura is not as popular as other luxury brands especially European ones. But the automaker is moving in the right direction by addressing the need for more quality vehicles by consumers.

The luxury brand has proven itself well in the past with Acura vehicles receiving praise and awards in the industry. Today, the automaker is on track to produce more quality vehicles which will propel them to the top of their class.

Already, Acura’s dealers in the United States are hyped up with the possibility of Acura competing directly with such brands as Lexus, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. These automakers, one being Japanese and the two others German, have been considered to be the leaders in the luxury market both in North America and other regions of the world.

The automaker promised a “big shift” to its dealers for next year. This shift is said to be geared towards catching up with the three most popular luxury brands. This means not only in terms of quality and reliability of their vehicles but also in its appeal to the consumer public. Ultimately, it will result in an increase of sale and production. It would be during that time that they can call themselves to be at the same level as Lexus or BMW or Mercedes-Benz.

Automotive News reported that in a meeting of Acura dealers in San Francisco, this is the message that was sent by Acura. The message is clear and hopefully for the automaker, their existing dealership base will help them in marketing the new vehicles that they will produce.

And indeed, Acura will be producing vehicles, new ones in the very near future. It is one of the promises given by the automaker to dealers. A new vehicle for every year is how the company aims to move closer to the tier 1 of luxury brands.

The automaker also announced that by next year, consumers and dealers alike will see a difference in Honda and Acura. As Lexus has been separated from Toyota, so will Acura be to Honda. This does not mean though that Honda will be letting Acura go. This means that there will be more distinction in Honda and Acura models.

Since Honda targets ordinary consumers, it is obvious that they will manufacture vehicles which almost everyone can afford. For Acura though, they have to focus on the upscale market, the consumers of which are those who can afford pricey vehicles.

If this promise by the automaker materializes, it is safe to say that more auto parts like Acura CL alternator will be mass produced. The automakers though have not yet announced whether they will be cutting production of some current models.

Agnes

Anthony Fontanelle asked:


Most car companies have their individual lines and divisions that cater to specific group of clients. Ford Motor Company has Lincoln and Aston Martin, General Motors with Cadillac and of course Honda with its ever beauteous and grandeur Acura. This luxury car of Honda started producing cars in 1986 and has already produced millions of vehicles distributed around the world. It is also known in the manufacturing of Honda and Acura parts that are widely sought after as replacement parts. Luckily, Acura was considered as the first to have successfully sold luxury Japanese car.

In the infancy of Acura, only two models were introduced?the Legend and the Integra. The Acura Legend was design similarly with the Honda Accord. With this, utilization of certain auto parts was made possible. Later, as the market grew, Acura started to manufacture parts to accommodate the increasing claims of clients. During the establishment of the Acura and the further development of the division, it managed to compete with the Infiniti of Nissan and Lexus of Toyota.

Acura for this year marketed 5 models, two of which are the successors of the ceased Legend and Integra. The most expensive from among its models is the Acura RL which is priced at $46,500, followed by Acura MDX, TL, RDX and TSX respectively. Acura RL was the direct remake of the Acura Legend. Though it no longer carries the original Acura Legend design, Acura RL still managed to be associated with its predecessor as well as it still has the original Acura parts. Integra’s successors on the other hand were the RSX and the TSX which ceased production in 2006.

By the end of this year, Acura is set to be introduced in Russia. Following this, a company headquarter will be put up on the said country. Acura parts assembly line will also be established to answer the needs of Acura owners. By that time, future vehicles of Acura like the 2009 RL and TSX are as well will be first sold in Russia. Concept cars that were unveiled by Acura this year are still on the process of whether it should be produced or not.

Nathan

Robert asked:


Honda originally launched their Acura sport and luxury division during 1986, and the company has continually improved their product line ever since. The days of Acura’s driving and performing like their similar Honda counterparts are long gone. Numerous upgrades and enhancements have been made to the Acura vehicles to make them more luxurious and refined than ever before.

When the Acura product line first rolled off the assembly line they had a few top selling vehicles including the Integra, Legend, and Vigor that quickly became popular. Motor Trend even named the Legend coupe as the “Import Car of the Year” back in 1987. In addition they also named the Integra as one of the top 10 best cars to drive on the road. Considering this was a fairly new brand for Honda, the Acura series did exceptionally well in their first few years. This definitely raised the standards for Honda on all of its new models.

Up to this day, Honda’s subsidiary brand still remains a leader in providing high quality, luxury sport coupes and vehicles. Many of the older models, however, have been retired and others replaced with newer models that are being marketed under a few new names such as:

- Acura RL: A midsize, luxury sedan that seats up to 5 passengers

- Acural TL: A midsize, 5 passenger sport luxury sedan

- Acura TSX: A midsize, 5 passenger lower priced alternative to the TL

- Acura RSX: A 4 passenger, sporty coupe priced at around $24,000

- Acura NSX: A fairly expensive 2 passenger exotice sports car

- Acura MSX: A larger 7 passenger luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV)

The new models have definitely changed drastically since the car manufacturer’s line was first introduced in ‘86. Interior improvements, technological improvements, and additional standard and luxury features, have been added over the years and especially in the recently released models. Acura is definitely providing some stiff competition for two similar competing Japanese luxury brands (Infiniti and Lexus).

Acura has also created a very stong following for car enthusiasts and aftermarket “tuners” looking to spice up or “trick out” their sport compact. The Acura Integra (now the RSX), is still an ever popular choice among these enthusiasts. Although, this car is probably not quite as popular as Honda’s Civic, it offers many of the same features at a slightly higher price point.

In summary, Honda has clearly brought out an excellent and constantly improving line up of vehicles for consumers both young and old. With everything from small sport compacts to large luxury SUVs, with high quality features and added extras, they are sure to appeal to just about everyone. Loyal Acura enthusiasts and car lovers alike will surely continue to follow the company’s strong brand and well known quality line of vehicles for years to come!

Darrell

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Cars are beautiful objects that can take us places or we can make them look exotic. The Acura is one car where a body conversion can make an interesting difference. The various Acura body kits which are available will provide you with a host of options to try out. You can see various types of these body kits at prices which are relative to the kit. You will also find a host of places where you can buy these car body kits.

There is one factor you should take into account before you charge headlong into buying Acura body kits. This factor is the make and model of your car. While there are universal Acura body parts, certain parts will need to have a custom look. This look can only be achieved with the use of correct model and make, kit parts.

Once you have checked this option out the next step is to decide where you will do your shopping for the best Acura body kits on the market. As there are a number of options you might want to list the changes you want made to your car and the maximum price you are willing to pay. While this can narrow your options initially it will give you an idea of what to look for.

Once you have made this list call or visit the nearest auto body shop and find out if they sell Acura body kits. Once you have ascertained this fact you can proceed to the next step. This is looking to see if the various parts you require to give your car a complete face lift are available. The next step is to find out if the body shop will be able to install and paint your new Acura body part.

The body kits which have been made for Acura cars can be installed onto your existing car body using a welding method. The Acura body kits also have the option of being screwed on to your car bumpers. Now that you understand the procedure that is involved you should decide exactly what you are looking for. As you want a really great looking car it is best to choose the various accessories that will provide a complete look to your new Acura car.

The various different parts that are available for Acura body kits can sometimes make your decision making difficult. To help you out with this dilemma there are body kits which will fit only certain makes and models of Acura cars. Choosing one of these Acura body kits and coupling this choice with universal body parts will absolutely give you a brand new car.

Shawn

John Walker asked:


The birth of a legend called Acura 1986 was a watershed year for the automobile industry. This was when Honda, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, introduced a division that would exclusively manufacture luxury cars. This enterprise, the result of ten years of research, was named Acura. Automobile luxury has never been the same ever since. This was the first ever luxury automobile from Japan. Through its introductory models, the Legend and the Integra that were sold and serviced through 60 dealerships spread across North America and 18 states in the US, Acura brand had heralded the arrival of a pioneering brand. Acura’s history makes interesting reading, because it is a history of success and innovation.
Making a habit of earning accoladesAcura had arrived with a bang, in a fashion befitting Honda. In just a year of its launch, the cars that had promised a heady mix of technological innovation; luxury and eye-catching design had won laurels. The first pages of Acura’s history were being written. The four-door Acura Legend coupe, the first Acura model to introduce an airbag, was chosen as the Import Car of the Year for 1987; the Integra figured in that year’s Ten Best List. With its three and five door models, the Integra had consumers in North America falling over each other to buy a piece of this technological marvel.
By 1988, the Legend had become the best selling imported luxury model in the US for the second year in a row, while the Integra won the International Sedan Championship. In 1992, JD Power and Associates Vehicle Performance Index gave the Acura the “Best Overall Car Line” title, while in the following year, the Legend continued its legendary run as the best selling import make for the sixth consecutive year.
Changing entrenched perceptions…for good, and foreverThis brand’s entry into the market was earth-shaking. So profound was the entry of Honda’s luxury division that it shook the automobile market like few other innovations had done earlier; more than anything else, it showed that a Japanese brand too, was capable of competing with European and American brands when it came to luxury automobiles. It permanently altered the image of Japanese cars being models that were economical and targeted at the lower middle income consumer. Acura’s history was now firmly in place. Leading the wayTaking a cue from it, other big names such as Toyota and Nissan launched their own luxury divisions. All the luxury Japanese brands we see on our roads today are the result of the bold step Honda took all those years back. Many features such as Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD); Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) are entirely owed to Acura.
More innovations; more awardsThe tradition of innovating and, with it, winning awards, continued unabated. The next wave to hit the market was the NSX Coupe in 1990. Short for “New Sports Experiment”, this was another first from Acura –it was the world’s first all-aluminum automobile, and the first automobile brand to integrate luxury and reliability into a sports car. It lived up to its name fully, being new in every sense of the term.
Not surprisingly, it went to on to win the supreme compliment: Motor Trend considered it the “best sports car ever built”. The innovation the NSX Coupe brought about was so overwhelming that it was billed as the “Everyday Supercar” for the kind of material it had used in packaging high technology. With this model, Acura had changed the face of sports cars, too. The year following its launch, the NSX Coupe was fitted with Honda’s path-breaking VTEC technology, taking it further up the ladder of sophistication.
With the introduction of the Vigor sedan in1992, Acura brought in another high flying model into the market. 1995 marked yet another year of innovation –this was when the TL Series was introduced in the American market, and the CL concept premiered at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The following year was significant for another reason –the much hallowed brand; the daringly innovative Legend was discontinued, to be replaced by the 3.5 RL.    And the show continues…By the mid 1990’s, the Acura brand was firmly saddled in the minds of the consumer as popular tuner cars, especially with the younger age group. Starting in 2000, there was a flurry of new models from Acura. The 3.2 TL, which has been giving the makes like Lexus; Infiniti and the BMW a good run for their money is one of them. Here, too, Acura has innovated by adding more luxury standard features than any other brand. It usually incorporates as standard features what most others give as optional ones. The MDX Crossover came to redefine the crossover SUV market, winning awards from Car and Driver and Motor Trend. Some other models that have come to occupy a prime position in the consumer’s mind are the TL; CL, RSX and the NSX. 

Neil