RE: Acura Claim Uber Premium Status
Tuesday 28th August 2007
It looks good, but it's hardly a Conti GTHonda’s US only (so far) luxury brand, Acura, has declared that they want to rival Bentley and Maybach for performance and design.
Acura Claim Uber Premium Status
Can they really take on Bentley and Maybach?
It looks good, but it's hardly a Conti GT
This comes after speculation that it’s front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder engine heavy range couldn’t really match the image of brands like Lexus, BMW, Mercedes and Audi – despite that being their aim.
However, Dave Marek, chief designer for Honda R&D Americas claimed that: "We want to rival Bentley and Maybach in performance and design."
We have no idea how they’re going to match the most premium of premiums, seeing as their range isn’t exactly brimming with potential – though the new NSX would make a good start.
Can you see yourself at a posh dinner surrounded by Bentley and Maybach drivers proudly proclaiming that you’ve got an Acura NSX? No, us neither.
Source: Leftlane News
Discussion
Hendry said:
I don't see why not? I mean, what are Bentley and Maybach anyway? A VW in a posh frock and a Mercedes (that's THE Mercedes that produces hatchbacks and taxis) that has been beaten to within an each of its life by ugly stick wielding youths.
You havent been in an Acura then?They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
Fidgits said:
Hendry said:
I don't see why not? I mean, what are Bentley and Maybach anyway? A VW in a posh frock and a Mercedes (that's THE Mercedes that produces hatchbacks and taxis) that has been beaten to within an each of its life by ugly stick wielding youths.
You havent been in an Acura then?They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
Fidgits said:
Hendry said:
I don't see why not? I mean, what are Bentley and Maybach anyway? A VW in a posh frock and a Mercedes (that's THE Mercedes that produces hatchbacks and taxis) that has been beaten to within an each of its life by ugly stick wielding youths.
You havent been in an Acura then?They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
ETA: I am not saying it is possible, just that the competition are hardly "all that" - posher Mercs and VWs - so it isn't quite the task it may outwardly seem.
Edited by Hendry on Tuesday 28th August 11:11
Haha! What tat. As much as I dislike the monsters like Bently and Maybach, they do look very prestigious. As said, that Acura looks like a spec'd up Jap car (which it is). It's not big and imposing enough. It looks too... sporty? Big pointy front end etc.
They'll end up in the hands of people trying to look rich for the sake of it. A bit like new Jag drivers
They'll end up in the hands of people trying to look rich for the sake of it. A bit like new Jag drivers
Hendry said:
Fidgits said:
Hendry said:
I don't see why not? I mean, what are Bentley and Maybach anyway? A VW in a posh frock and a Mercedes (that's THE Mercedes that produces hatchbacks and taxis) that has been beaten to within an each of its life by ugly stick wielding youths.
You havent been in an Acura then?They are literally, a specced up Honda.. they do very little to seperate the brand from the base cars - how on earth they are going to compete with Bentley is beyond me!
ETA: I am not saying it is possible, just that the competition are hardly "all that" - posher Mercs and VWs - so it isn't quite the task it may outwardly seem.
Edited by Hendry on Tuesday 28th August 11:11
i always liked the G35 - but then that was just the Skyline GT350 (which we didnt get) with leather seats.
Having been in an Acura Integra - it was exactly the same as the Honda we get over here - only over there no leather seat option on the Honda, only the Acura.
At least Lexus sold different cars (at least outside japan) with the premium badge.
I think Honda have had their chance and lost it with the Acura brand. It was supposed to be the luxury premium brand and as mentioned it's nothing much more than a different name. If they want to establish a set of models which rival the high end marques like Bentley, especially in the states, they're going to have to rethink their approach, as it stands now they're in Skoda / VAG territory, rather than Bentley / VAG territory. Great cars, not much prestige and a large brand trading under the name of a smaller brand.
Though I do belive if the Acura brand was launched worldwide with some original models it might have some success, as it's a relative unknown on euro shores, but it's too familiar in the USA to be taken seriously as a prestigous marque and contender to Bentley et al's throne.
I've no doubt they have the ability to make some truly unique and high quality cars with some great materials, they've certainly got the creativity and technology to do so, but wanting to take on established high end marques in their own territory is ambitious to say the least considering their current line up and concept portfolio.
If nothing else it's exciting to see the Japanese manufacturers stepping their game up and acquiring increasingly larger interest all over the world, and with Nissan bringing the Infiniti brand to Europe I'm sure others will follow.
Though I do belive if the Acura brand was launched worldwide with some original models it might have some success, as it's a relative unknown on euro shores, but it's too familiar in the USA to be taken seriously as a prestigous marque and contender to Bentley et al's throne.
I've no doubt they have the ability to make some truly unique and high quality cars with some great materials, they've certainly got the creativity and technology to do so, but wanting to take on established high end marques in their own territory is ambitious to say the least considering their current line up and concept portfolio.
If nothing else it's exciting to see the Japanese manufacturers stepping their game up and acquiring increasingly larger interest all over the world, and with Nissan bringing the Infiniti brand to Europe I'm sure others will follow.
Edited by Stu R on Tuesday 28th August 11:57
Perhaps a little ambitious, Bentley and Maybach are established premium luxury brand names along with Rolls Royce. If premium marques like VW, Mercedes and BMW have to buy another brand name to compete in the segment I think Honda are clutching at straws thinking they can drag the badge engineered Acura brand up there with that lot.
Maybe they should concentrate on trying to at least equal Lexus first, a RWD platform would help for a start, even Hyundai recognise that is necessary in this segment.
Maybe they should concentrate on trying to at least equal Lexus first, a RWD platform would help for a start, even Hyundai recognise that is necessary in this segment.
Honda are Toyota are learning though. Toyota's Lexus (Luxury EX-ports to US) fell on its arse, they developed a different angle - more luxury with service and build better than rivals. JD Power proves it is a promise that is met every time. BUT, when you look at American premium cars, Chrysler and Caddy, well, with the greatest of respect, are well BEHIND of Europe in terms of quality, premium finesse and luxury. So it is easy to see why Lexus was so well targeted and received in the US. Lexus hybrid technology is fantastic. You may laugh at a Prius, but you are not the customer. The Prius is a fantastic car, full of goodies, satnav, will run on battery only so 0 emissions in congested traffic and can even park itself. Nothing I would want, but many do!
I'd rather have a RWD euro chassis based drivers car. But know and respect some want a mobile luxury office, and couldn't give a flyin 747 as to what wheels put the power down.
I think Acura and Lexus has it's place. A different luxury - for a different customer. Bring it on I say, lets have some more creative approaches and innovation.
I'd rather have a RWD euro chassis based drivers car. But know and respect some want a mobile luxury office, and couldn't give a flyin 747 as to what wheels put the power down.
I think Acura and Lexus has it's place. A different luxury - for a different customer. Bring it on I say, lets have some more creative approaches and innovation.
Edited by brandguru on Tuesday 28th August 14:44
Nissan are aiming for the same with Infiniti too .. Looks like they are after a halo car.
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6215240/car-news/infin...
http://blogs.motortrend.com/6215240/car-news/infin...
Gazboy said:
brandguru said:
Honda are Toyota are learning though. Toyota's Lexus (Luxury EX-ports to US) fell on its arse, they developed a different angle - more luxury with service and build better than rivals. JD Power proves it is a promise that is met every time. BUT, when you look at American premium cars, Chrysler and Caddy, well, with the greatest of respect, are well of Europe in terms of quality, premium finesse and luxury.
Odd, when I went to the states 4 years ago I was shocked at the amount of European & Japanese cars around, actually making a significant dent into the 'population' of their domestic cars. Can't say I've ever heard of Chrysler & Caddy being ahead of the Europeans in terms of quality, premium finesse and luxury before, unless were are comapring toys per $ spent but hey every day is a school day.The problem I see is that both Bentley and Maybach have been hand crafted by specialists that cared about their work and delivering the best. Their factories had bags of history with the right ethos. Both of the brands might have been taken down a peg in terms of desirability by VW and Mercedes respectively, but they still have their history before them.
Honda, though they make good cars, are a conglomerate that has the ethos to make money. That means instead of "no expense spared", it's the oposite. Which is fine for most cars, but doesn't work if you're after "uber premium status".
Honda, though they make good cars, are a conglomerate that has the ethos to make money. That means instead of "no expense spared", it's the oposite. Which is fine for most cars, but doesn't work if you're after "uber premium status".
There's some intangible about a premium brand that you can't simply acquire. An NSX, although nice, pails in comparison to any Ferrari. A Lexus is just another Toyota, a nice one granted, but it will never have the breeding of a Mercedes.
It's very hard to explain isn't it? Lamborghini might have been bought out, but the name brings with it years of excitement, you think of the classics, the rivalry between them and Ferrari, the Countach in Cannonball Run...it's stuff you can't just make up by building something and selling it at a high price.
Another good example is the Koenigsegg and that american car, Saleen? They are good cars but I would choose a Ferrari over them every time, just for the sense of occasion, history...and all of those other difficult to express emotions a Ferrari makes you feel.
It's very hard to explain isn't it? Lamborghini might have been bought out, but the name brings with it years of excitement, you think of the classics, the rivalry between them and Ferrari, the Countach in Cannonball Run...it's stuff you can't just make up by building something and selling it at a high price.
Another good example is the Koenigsegg and that american car, Saleen? They are good cars but I would choose a Ferrari over them every time, just for the sense of occasion, history...and all of those other difficult to express emotions a Ferrari makes you feel.
the acura brand should be more lexus field rather than the bentleys,
and anyway, we might not totally like jap luxury cars now, but give it 10/2o years, then i think the story will be different.
in the end, some people look for reliable cars,, and thats what the japs give us. so we can't complain. i would like to see them trying it out in europe. if it doesn't work than it won't. i mean even intially in the US, small jap cars were disliked. but once toyota brought out the corolla, everything changed. lexus seem to be doing well as a global brand, so maybe just maybe, b ut it will take time
Acura = Lexus = BMW = Merc etc, does NOT = Bentley etc
and anyway, we might not totally like jap luxury cars now, but give it 10/2o years, then i think the story will be different.
in the end, some people look for reliable cars,, and thats what the japs give us. so we can't complain. i would like to see them trying it out in europe. if it doesn't work than it won't. i mean even intially in the US, small jap cars were disliked. but once toyota brought out the corolla, everything changed. lexus seem to be doing well as a global brand, so maybe just maybe, b ut it will take time
Acura = Lexus = BMW = Merc etc, does NOT = Bentley etc
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