In what DeLorenzo calls the Brand Image Meter here's his take on Acura...
I think thats where the problem lies. With Acura locked into the US and World Honda handling the upscale slack globally Acura is often forgotten back in Japan. I think Acura NEEDS to be let loose outside of NA. However, because they have been ignored they don't have the product needed to even keep pace with rivals in Europe or Asia. The perfect Catch 22, they need to compete outside to NA to create better product, but they can't escape NA because they don't have the product to get them out...
I think he sums up what the real problem with Acura is. Honda. I don't think Honda is content with allowing Acura to be the best Honda has to offer, at least not anymore. Perhaps in the early years yes, but Honda has figured out that they can encroach on Acuras territory more and more without missing a beat. The new Accord is plenty upscale, and world Honda products have been superior to Acura's for some time now.Believe it or not, Acura is supposed to be the best that the Honda Motor Company can muster when it comes to car making. At least that is what it says somewhere in the brief that underpins Acura’s existence. But it’s safe to say that the brand has excelled only intermittently over the years, with the misses far outweighing the hits. Acura executives are **** bent on fixing all of the wrongs that have been perpetrated by the brand prior to right now, but it will take years of product goodness to make consumers forget about the boneheaded decision-making, the crushingly mediocre design efforts and the incomprehensibly average entries that wore the Acura nameplate. Acura’s new formula for future success? Technology for technology’s sake and a steadfast belief that they can deliver a genuine driving difference with real conquest appeal, even though they’ve demonstrated repeatedly that they can’t. As for Acura design? It’s still an oxymoron. Remember, we’re supposed to be talking about the best of Honda here, but it sure doesn’t look or feel like it. Where does the spinning wheel stop on the AE Brand Image Meter for Acura? Well, let’s see, “memorable” is right next to “forgettable.” Good luck ladies and gentlemen, you’re up.
I think thats where the problem lies. With Acura locked into the US and World Honda handling the upscale slack globally Acura is often forgotten back in Japan. I think Acura NEEDS to be let loose outside of NA. However, because they have been ignored they don't have the product needed to even keep pace with rivals in Europe or Asia. The perfect Catch 22, they need to compete outside to NA to create better product, but they can't escape NA because they don't have the product to get them out...