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| Acura Logo |
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. The brand has been available in the United States and Canada since March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and near-performance vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, and China in 2006. Honda's plan to introduce Acura to the Japanese market in 2008 was delayed, due to economic reasons, and later withheld as a result of the 2008 financial crisis.
The creation of Acura coincided with the introduction of a Japanese Honda dealership sales channel, called Honda Clio, which sold luxury vehicles, joining previously established Honda Verno, followed by Honda Primo the following year. Acura holds the distinction of being the first Japanese automotive luxury brand. In its first few years of existence, Acura was among the best-selling luxury marques in the US. Though sales were down in the mid-to-late 1990s, the brand experienced a revival in the early 2000s, due to drastic redesigns and the introductions of new models.
Timeline
1986
- Acura debuts in North America as the first Japanese luxury marque.
1990
- Acura dealerships in the US win their fifth consecutive first-place ranking on the Customer Satisfaction Index by J. D. Power and Associates
- Acura announces that it will expand research and development in the US
- The second generation Integra is introduced
1991
- The Legend coupe wins Motor Trend's prestigious "Import Car of the Year" trophy
- Honda's VTEC technology is introduced in the NSX
- Acura is introduced in Hong Kong by Reliance Motors
1992
- The Legend and Integra are joined by the Vigor
1994
- The third generation Integra is introduced
1996
- The CL is introduced as a 1997 model
- The Legend is replaced by the RL and the Vigor is replaced by the TL
- 1997
- The Integra Type R is introduced
- The NSX receives 20 more horsepower with a larger 3.2L V6 engine and a new 6-speed manual transmission
- The Civic-based 1.6 EL replaces the Integra sedan in the Canadian lineup, while the Integra sedan continued U.S. sales until 2001
2000
- The MDX is introduced as a 2001 model along with a new CL
2001
- The MDX wins the prestigious Motor Trend "2001 Sport/Utility of the Year" award
- Civic-based 1.7 EL launched, replacing the 1.6 EL, in the Canadian lineup
2002
- The Integra is replaced by the RSX, which is a left hand drive version of the fourth generation Honda Integra
- The TL Type-S is introduced
- The NSX receives a cosmetic facelift, with the retractable headlights being replaced with fixed ones. The suspension is also slightly revised, and an automatic transmission becomes optional
2003
- The CL receives a new 6-speed manual transmission, before being discontinued later that year
2004
- Acura is introduced in Mexico by Honda de Mexico
- Third generation Acura TL is introduced
- The TSX is introduced and becomes a very competitive choice against popular BMW 3-series
- The MDX receives a mid-model change with more horsepower
2005
- The NSX is discontinued
- The RSX receives a mid-model change and more horsepower in the Type-S
- The new Acura TL wins "Consumer's Most Wanted Vehicle" at Edmunds.com
- Acura RL is introduced with the revolutionary SH-AWD system
- Acura drops engine size from 1.7 EL model name
2006
- Acura is introduced in China
- Acura RDX is introduced with SH-AWD
- Acura introduces CSX to replace EL, and is only sold in Canada
- The RSX (as well as the Honda Integra) is discontinued
- The TSX gets mid-model change with 5 more horsepower
2007
- Acura MDX receives a redesign
- Acura TL Type-S is reintroduced, and the CSX Type-S is introduced in Canada
2008
- Acura introduces the new RL, which receives a mid-model change redesign
- Acura introduces new TSX at the New York Auto Show
2009 model year
- Acura TSX receives a redesign
- Acura TL receives a redesign
- Acura RL receives a mid-model change
- Acura CSX receives a mid-model change
2010 model year
- Acura introduces all new ZDX
- Acura MDX receives a mid-model change
- Acura RDX receives a mid-model change
- Acura TSX receives an optional V6 engine from the TL and a minor mid-model change
2011 model year
- Acura TSX Sport Wagon is introduced
- Acura CSX is dropped
2012 model year
- Acura TL gets mid-model change
- Acura TSX Special Edition is introduced
2013 model year
- Acura ILX is introduced
- Acura RDX receives a redesign
