Who is the Acura NSX made by?
The Acura NSX is made by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., under its Acura luxury brand.
The NSX represents Honda’s engineering prowess and Acura’s premium branding. The original NSX debuted in 1990 as a Japan-built model developed by Honda engineers, while the current second-generation NSX (introduced in 2016) is assembled in the United States at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.
Brand and maker
The NSX sits at the intersection of Honda's engineering strengths and Acura's premium market positioning. Acura is Honda's luxury division, responsible for marketing and tuning adjustments for high-performance models like the NSX.
Here are key facts about who makes the NSX and how it is produced:
- Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., responsible for the NSX's branding and market positioning.
- The NSX nameplate is a product of Honda, engineered and manufactured by Honda's internal teams for Acura's lineup.
- The current second-generation NSX is assembled at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, United States.
- The first-generation NSX (1990–2005) was developed by Honda engineers in Japan and launched the NSX lineage.
In short, the NSX is a Honda/Acura product, produced by Honda Motor Co., with the current model built in Ohio and the original in Japan.
Production details by generation
To understand where the NSX comes from, it helps to distinguish between generations. The second-generation NSX is manufactured in the United States, while the original generation was developed and produced in Japan by Honda.
Second-generation NSX: where it's built
The modern NSX is assembled at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio. The facility is dedicated to NSX production and employs a team-based assembly process that reflects Acura's premium emphasis and modern manufacturing techniques.
First-generation NSX: origins
The original NSX was developed and produced by Honda’s engineers in Japan, introducing a mid-engine layout and V6 power that helped redefine the benchmark for reliable, high-performance road cars in the 1990s.
Summary: The Acura NSX is a Honda product marketed under Acura, with the current generation built in Ohio and the original generation built in Japan.
Summary: The NSX stands as a testament to Honda’s engineering breadth and Acura’s premium branding, bridging Japan-made roots with U.S.-assembled modern performance.
Is Acura owned by Honda?
Yes, Acura is owned by Honda. Honda created Acura as its luxury and performance division in 1986 to target the premium vehicle market, and the brand remains a subsidiary of the Japanese automaker to this day.
- Honda's luxury division: Acura was launched as a distinct luxury brand, with vehicles often sharing underlying platforms with Honda models but featuring a higher level of performance and more upscale amenities.
- Market strategy: The establishment of Acura was a strategic move by Honda to separate its luxury offerings from its mainstream Honda-brand vehicles.
- Global presence: Acura is a luxury brand primarily focused on North American and other global markets, with manufacturing plants in locations such as North America and Japan.
Why did Honda discontinue NSX?
Acura discontinued the NSX due to declining sales and a shift in the company's focus towards electric vehicles. Slow sales were caused by a high price tag, competition from established brands, and criticisms that its parts-bin interior felt cheap for a supercar in its price range.
- Declining sales: The second-generation NSX sold poorly, leading to its discontinuation after the 2023 model year. Sales were particularly slow in certain markets, such as Australia.
- High cost: The NSX was expensive, leading some consumers to choose more established supercar brands instead. A high price tag coupled with an interior that used components from less expensive models like the Civic and Accord led to criticism of it feeling overpriced.
- Focus on EVs: Acura is redirecting its resources to develop new electric vehicle (EV) models. This strategic shift is a significant factor in the decision to discontinue the NSX.
- Mixed reception: While praised for its performance, the NSX received mixed reviews for other aspects, such as the lack of a manual transmission option and the hybrid powertrain, which some enthusiasts felt made it less analog than the original car.
Is NSX Honda or Nissan?
| Honda NSX | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990–2006 (NA1/2) 2016–2022 (NC1/2) |
| Model years | 1991–2006 2017–2023 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
Is the NSX made by Honda or Acura?
The NSX is made by both Honda and Acura, depending on the market. It is sold as the Acura NSX in North America and as the Honda NSX in other parts of the world. Both are the same car, with Acura being the luxury division of Honda.
- In North America: The NSX was introduced as the Acura NSX, as Acura is Honda's luxury brand.
- In other markets: The same vehicle is sold under the Honda nameplate, such as the Honda NSX.
- Manufacturing: The NSX is manufactured by Honda and Acura. For example, the second-generation NSX was built at the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio.
