Acura/HPD's future plans

[chewymonster]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Still cant make cars that would attached the American consumer let alone pass all the US saftey requirements and emission laws. Renault with the past few years was looking to get back into the American market but their cars did not pass the crash test saftey standards. Nor did the Nissan dealers what the cars to do all the repairs.

But I think a few of you guys missed the point about Acura coming to Europe, and a NEW BRAND name.

The Accura brand name is of high quality and affordable luxurey. It should do well in Europe. May hurt some of the european brands as to which may requite a step up in quality though to compete with Accura.

BS. Renault cars can easily pass US safety and emission laws. It does cost quite a bit of money to certify cars for US sale, but I really doubt that modern Renaults would have problems. But like you said, the brand name is very weak so there is no point in selling cars in the US for them. And French cars have "funky" design so that wouldn't help either.

The Acura TSX is the Honda Accord sold in Europe, so that's one model they can't really sell as an Acura in Europe. The Acura RL (top of the line flagship Acura) is currently sold as a Honda Legend in Eruope. So again, that creates yet another problem. Basically I think this is the reason for the delay of Acura in Europe.

You can't charge more for a different badge when people have already been bying the same exact product for less for years.

As for diesels, the VW Jetta TDI meets all US requirements and is good for all 50 states. But yes, American car emissions are fairly tight and pretty hard for passanger car diesels to meet. Yet, US has less stringent emission regulations concernnig "pickups" so the diesel heavy dutys might not meet European rules.

[The359]

Actually, Toyota merely rebadged their existing models (Altezza, Soarer, Harrier, etc) as Lexuses (IS350, SC430, RX350, etc) when they launched Lexus in Japan, so there's no reason Honda couldn't rebadge current Hondas as Acuras.

[cmk]

Just as European Accords were sold here in Canada as Acura TSXs, I believe.

[Ted bennett]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

But I think a few of you guys missed the point about Acura coming to Europe, and a NEW BRAND name.

The Accura brand name is of high quality and affordable luxurey. It should do well in Europe. May hurt some of the european brands as to which may requite a step up in quality though to compete with Accura.

Perhaps the point is that Honda are perceived somewhat differently in Europe than in the States. Honda are seen as a high quality luxury brand and would be considered affordable in comparison with Mercedes and BMW.
It seems to me that Acura would be a dificult brand to pitch in Europe. Lexus did make sense because Toyota did not have such a good reputation as Honda.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Ted bennett

Perhaps the point is that Honda are perceived somewhat differently in Europe than in the States. Honda are seen as a high quality luxury brand and would be considered affordable in comparison with Mercedes and BMW.
It seems to me that Acura would be a dificult brand to pitch in Europe. Lexus did make sense because Toyota did not have such a good reputation as Honda.

You are most likely correct Ted.

Honda is not stupid. I am sure they have the marketing end of introducing Acura to the European market figured out.

[deggis]

Brabham: "The dream one day will be to take Acura and Patrón Highcroft Racing to the Le Mans 24 Hours, but we don't know when that will be."

http://www.crash.net/motorsport/alms...r_brabham.html

Fingers crossed Brab's dream reflects Acura's dreams...

[Mal]

Originally Posted by Ted bennett

Perhaps the point is that Honda are perceived somewhat differently in Europe than in the States. Honda are seen as a high quality luxury brand and would be considered affordable in comparison with Mercedes and BMW.
It seems to me that Acura would be a dificult brand to pitch in Europe. Lexus did make sense because Toyota did not have such a good reputation as Honda.

I see Honda as a quality product in the lower to medium market - rather similar to VW. However they do not compete on the same level as the upper ranges of BMW and Merc and also Lexus so a up market brand could well be an effective one. It certainly was for Lexus - Although I do agree that Honda has a more upmarket brand image than Toyota.

Notwithstanding this I just want to the the cars at Le Mans and if possible in the LMS - whether they call them Honda / Acura or whatever.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by Mal

I see Honda as a quality product in the lower to medium market - rather similar to VW. However they do not compete on the same level as the upper ranges of BMW and Merc and also Lexus so a up market brand could well be an effective one. It certainly was for Lexus - Although I do agree that Honda has a more upmarket brand image than Toyota.

Notwithstanding this I just want to the the cars at Le Mans and if possible in the LMS - whether they call them Honda / Acura or whatever.

That is what many ppl who have never driven Honda or Acuras think. Honda and Acura in luxury trim are on equal if not better quality level then BMW and Merc. Just a lot less money.

Honda builds cars are many price points. Extreemly reliable and consistily high on customer statisfaction.

[Mal]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

That is what many ppl who have never driven Honda or Acuras think. Honda and Acura in luxury trim are on equal if not better quality level then BMW and Merc. Just a lot less money.

That may be so but peoples perception of a brand is all important in this the market and the higher up the market you go the more important it is. This almost 100% explains why Toyota chose to create Lexus - and to pretty good effect.

[Hugewally]

I think you'll find that US import quotas had a lot to do with the creation of Lexus, Acura, Infinity, etc...

[deggis]

Erik Berkman, Acura: "Unfortunately for you, given that we have not yet communicated to our choice on the engine, as you would expect, I can not comment on the announcement of the ACO, you must still wait…"

http://translate.google.com/translat...-8&sl=fr&tl=en

[TRuss]

I worked as a service writer for a valet parking company a couple of years ago. The cars with the best fit and finish were Acuras and Lexus. By far. How sloppily a BMWs door's close is actually quite pitiful. And the paint quality on any new Mercedez is easily surpassed by even my '99 S-10. It's attrocious. If I had my car painted and it came back with that level of orange peel and just general non-smoothness I would be hot. Only somebody concerned with image would pay $90,000 for a car with that poor of a finish. It was eye opening experience parking cars for the wealthy. Only a few were cool.

[AU N EGL]

Originally Posted by TRuss

I worked as a service writer for a valet parking company a couple of years ago. The cars with the best fit and finish were Acuras and Lexus. By far. How sloppily a BMWs door's close is actually quite pitiful. And the paint quality on any new Mercedez is easily surpassed by even my '99 S-10. It's attrocious. If I had my car painted and it came back with that level of orange peel and just general non-smoothness I would be hot. Only somebody concerned with image would pay $90,000 for a car with that poor of a finish. It was eye opening experience parking cars for the wealthy. Only a few were cool.

I agree 1000%. If ppl think BMWs and MBs are the top of the line for quality, time to take a very close look at Acura and Lexus.

MBs paint is a step up from Macco

[HORNDAWG]

Hmm, We now see both Ganassi drivers in Acuras for Petit. Would it be a coup for Chip to beat out AGR for the second ARX-01c for next year? Maybe some movement away from the "World center of Racing" for Ganassi/Sabates hastened by the pullback from Mexico City among other things?


L.P.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, We now see both Ganassi drivers in Acuras for Petit. Would it be a coup for Chip to beat out AGR for the second ARX-01c for next year? Maybe some movement away from the "World center of Racing" for Ganassi/Sabates hastened by the pullback from Mexico City among other things?


L.P.

I believe Ganassi Racing would be an excellent addition to the ALMS field. Something worth looking for. If Ganassi wants to go where the action is, they will drop GARRA and move to ALMS.

DK

[TRuss]

The second team will be DeFerran. Ganassi isn't going anywhere. He is too hob knobby with NASCAR.

[Duff_44]

Originally Posted by TRuss

The second team will be DeFerran. Ganassi isn't going anywhere. He is too hob knobby with NASCAR.

Highcroft and de Ferran will be in P1 next year.

Fernandez is confirmed for P2, and there's been talk of one more team in P2. If Honda wants a 2nd team in P2, Ganassi might be a good fit.

[The359]

Ganassi is likely not leaving Grand-Am. There's no reason they couldn't run both though.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by TRuss

The second team will be DeFerran. Ganassi isn't going anywhere. He is too hob knobby with NASCAR.

de Ferran Motorsports will be the second team with Patrón Hidgcroft in P-1 using the new ARX-02a. Fernandez will be running in P-2 with an ARX-01c and is expected to be joined by a second team, still possibly AGR if they can come up with the budgetary requirements ($$$).


L.P.

[Hugewally]

Ganassi leave NASCAR? Only if Toyota and NASCAR say so...

[The Badger]

Fernandez should run 2 LMP2's , better chance of points for the championship .

[cmk]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Fernandez should run 2 LMP2's , better chance of points for the championship .

I'm sure if you write Adrian the cheque for car #2, he'll be right on that!

[TRuss]

Hugewally nailed it.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by TRuss

Hugewally nailed it.

Hmm, seeing as how the main thrust of their Nascar involvement is with Dodge and not Toyota, with Honda in the IRL and Lexus in GA (with a single entry) how does Toyota dictate what Ganassi does?? Nailed on the head?? And they have already dropped one car in the Nascar ranks, the one that Dario was driving.


L.P.

[TWK]

Originally Posted by The359

Ganassi is likely not leaving Grand-Am. There's no reason they couldn't run both though.

Ganassi will stay in Grand Am if he's got sponsorship money - or money from somewhere - to pay the bills and make a bit of a profit on his operations.

Otherwise he's gone. Just like all this other operations.

And "no reason?" Of course there is a reason not to run both...money (or lack of it). Has anyone here noticed that such money is getting hard to come by?

OK, so what happens when sponsors say, "I'd rather 'move up' to Nationwide." What then? Right.

Ganassi, Penski, AJR, PTG, Pratt & Miller, none of them race for their health. Loyalty is as good as the next check. Any other assumption is pure nonsense.