As a newer car brand, Acura has had to prove themselves to the world. Compared to other luxury car brands, they are not as widespread across the globe; but, that doesn’t mean that they are any less of a quality brand. This article will tell the history of Acura, the current models available, and more interesting details about the car manufacturer.
How the Company Got Started
Beginning in 1986, Acura was developed by Honda as a luxury sector for their company. Acura made history as the first luxury brand to be created in Japan,
although the cars are not sold there. As a whole, the country is considered an American brand despite its Japanese origins. Several attempts have been made to introduce the cars to the Japanese market, but since 2008 when the economic crisis happened in the United States, they have been unsuccessful. These unsuccessful attempts have not been in vain, though. Where the company has lacked in having vehicles on Japanese territory, they have made up for it in American sales.
When the company first launched, they released two different vehicles: the Integra and the Legend. Just three short years later, they released the NSX – a supercar that was meant to be driven on a daily basis rather than viewed as a sports car that is only brought out on special occasions. In 2000, they created an SUV model in an attempt to become a more family-friendly brand. This was an immense success, with their SUVs still being some of their best selling vehicles of all time. By 2013, the company had evolved so much that they were able to create their own supercar factory called the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.
The company is also heavily involved in the motorsports industry. Before Acura had even released or sold a car, they had built a racetrack called the Suzuka. Here, they are able to test drive cars and create the perfect race car. While these models are not meant to be driven as everyday cars, they are meant to astound people on the track. The company is also the “premier sponsor” of the 2022 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The Logo
In its short history, the Acura logo has not changed significantly. It has remained simple, straightforward, and classy. Designers meant for it to be a “paraphrase” of the Honda logo, meaning that it would be similar in look but not quite the same. In 1989, it was changed from being only the name of the company to having a spaceship-like, modified “A” encased in a circle above the company name. This symbol was created by Ira Bechrech from Namelab Studios. According to 1000 Logos, the name of the company means “thoroughness, accuracy, and meticulousness.”
Sales
According to statistics compiled by Car Sales Base, Acura has consistently sold over 90,000 units per year since 1988 – only two short years after the first models were released. In fact, the company has been so successful in sales, that they sold almost 60,000 units in their first year alone.
Many Different Models
Acura has a wide selection of vehicles available for purchase. Here’s a list of the ones currently available:
Model | Avg Asking Price | Picture | Description |
Used: $10,885 New: $25,990 |  | With 201 horsepower, the ILX is a fuel-efficient, sleek, and modern vehicle. It features an “athletic aesthetic,” an i-VTEC engine, and an 8-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. It is a premium sport compact sedan. | |
Used: Not Available New: $22,300 |  | This sedan will be available in Spring 2022. | |
Used: $19,400 New: $53,990 |  | The TLX is available in two different engine types: a 272 horsepower 2.0L VTEC turbo or a 355 horsepower 3.0L turbo V6. Drivers can personalize their ride in many ways by customizable features such as the interior and technology. It is a premium sports sedan. | |
Used: $19,990 New: $41,590 |  | The RDX is a premium sport crossover vehicle that is perfect for small families. It features a 272 horsepower 2.0L VTEC Turbo engine and gets up to 22/28 MPG city/highway. | |
Used: $17,000 New: $60,990 |  | This premium performance SUV is also a great vehicle for families, as it can seat up to seven people. It has three comfortable rows. It also comes in two different engine options: a 290 horsepower V6 or a 355 horsepower 3.0L turbo V6 (type S). | |
Used: $70,800 New: $194,950 |  | The NSX type-6 is a next-level supercar. Its sleek design will leave other drivers in shock as you cruise down the road in style. It is completely customizable, combining “aggressive design and aerodynamic components to create more downforce that helps keep you glued to the asphalt.” |
Most Popular Model
Although Acura itself is a very popular brand, there is one model that has outshone the rest. The Acura MDX is Acura’s best-selling model by far, selling over 1 million units from its origin to now. It is also considered “America’s best-selling 3-row luxury SUV of all time,” meaning that it is considered the best option out of all car brands in existence. The MDX is the perfect vehicle for families who want to have a luxurious vehicle that does not sacrifice on space or functionality.
The Acura RDX is another popular model. Both it and the MDX were rated as 2020’s “Best Family Luxury Cars” by Parents magazine.
Geographic Popularity
Although Acura is a Japanese-based company, it was introduced to both the United States and Canada when the first round of models were released in 1986. It was then released to:
- Hong Kong (2006)
- Mexico (2004)
- China (2006)
- Russia (2014)
- Kuwait (2015)
- Ukraine (2015)
However, several of these countries no longer sell Acura products for various reasons – mainly due to economic situations in the respective country.
The company has two headquarters: one located in Torrance, CA in the U.S. and another located in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. There are factories located in East Liberty, Ohio, Marysville, Ohio, Greensburg Indiana, and Lincoln Alabama.
Sustainability
Helping to create a more sustainable world is a huge part of Acura’s mission. Following in their parent company Honda’s footsteps, they have gone to great lengths to reduce their carbon footprint and establish sustainable practices within their organization. They have created the Acura Environmental Leadership Program, which gives different awards to car dealerships that follow their sustainability practices. There are three levels to the program:
- Silver: “must achieve a 10% reduction in total energy use and meet a threshold of 30 points.”
- Gold: “must achieve a 30% reduction in total energy use and meet a threshold of 45 points.”
- Platinum: “must achieve a 50% reduction in total energy use and meet a threshold of 60 points.”
By 2036, the company hopes that they remain “young at heart, taking bold risks through bold innovation, setting new standards with precision manufacturing, and following our dreams no matter how improbable.”
Safety
Like sustainability, safety is also a large priority to Acura. Ultimately, their goal is to create a “zero-collision society,” which will create a safer environment for everyone on the roads. They equip their vehicles with the following safety features through AcuraWatch:
- Collision Mitigation Braking System (featuring both radars and camera)
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Keeping Assist
- And more!
They also offer the following features for their vehicles:
- Jewel Eye LED Headlights
- Vehicle Stability
- ACE Body Structure
Their website even offers videos about their virtual safety tests so that you can get an idea of how they evaluate their vehicles for safety.
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