Why is Honda also called Acura?
Honda, the renowned Japanese automaker, is also known by the brand name Acura in certain markets. This dual identity is the result of Honda's strategic decision to establish a separate luxury division to cater to the needs of more affluent consumers. Acura was launched in 1986 as Honda's premium brand, offering a range of high-end vehicles that showcase the company's engineering prowess and commitment to quality.
The Birth of Acura
In the early 1980s, Honda recognized the growing demand for luxury vehicles in the United States. To capitalize on this trend, the company decided to create a new brand that would compete with established luxury marques like Lexus, Infiniti, and Cadillac. Acura was born as Honda's answer to this market opportunity, offering a lineup of premium sedans, SUVs, and sports cars that shared the same engineering excellence as their Honda counterparts but with a more upscale and sophisticated design.
Differentiating Acura from Honda
While Acura and Honda share many technological and engineering similarities, the Acura brand was designed to appeal to a different demographic. Acura vehicles are typically more expensive, feature more advanced technology and amenities, and are marketed as a more premium and exclusive driving experience. This differentiation allows Honda to cater to a wider range of consumers, with Acura targeting the luxury market and Honda focusing on the mainstream automotive segment.
Global Presence and Expansion
Acura's initial launch was limited to the United States and Canada, but the brand has since expanded its global footprint. In recent years, Acura has made inroads into other markets, such as China, where it competes with other luxury automakers. However, the Acura brand remains primarily focused on North America, while Honda continues to be the dominant brand in other regions, including Japan and Europe.
The Relationship Between Honda and Acura
Despite their distinct brand identities, Honda and Acura remain closely connected. Acura vehicles are designed and engineered by the same teams that develop Honda's products, and they often share common platforms and technologies. This synergy allows Acura to leverage Honda's extensive research and development resources, while also maintaining a unique and premium positioning in the market.
In summary, Honda's decision to create the Acura brand was a strategic move to cater to the growing demand for luxury vehicles in the United States and other markets. By offering a more premium and exclusive driving experience, Acura has allowed Honda to expand its reach and appeal to a wider range of consumers, while still maintaining its core brand identity and engineering excellence.
What is the luxury version of Toyota?
Lexus vehicles
Lexus vehicles are the Toyota luxury brand – the same parent company owns the two automakers, and Toyota and Lexus vehicles share some components. The Lexus manufacturer is based in Japan, though their largest target market is the U.S.
Why is Honda called Acura?
There are a few definitions of the word Acura. One of the origins of this brand name is that it came from the Latin word Acu, meaning “done with precision” or “mechanically precise.” Another possible influence for the brand name comes from the Japanese division of the Honda Motor Company.
What is Toyota's luxury brand?
Lexus
Lexus. Lexus (レクサス, Rekusasu) is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation. The Lexus brand is marketed in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide and is Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars.
Why is Acura not sold in Japan?
Acura sells cars in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, and Kuwait. The company has also previously sold cars in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Russia, and Ukraine. Plans to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market in the late 2000s did not eventuate due to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.
Why does Acura have a Honda logo?
Indeed, Honda does own Acura, and Honda models bear striking resemblances to Acura models. What many people don't realize is that the Acura logo, its “A,” is a cleverly inverted version of the Honda logo, its “H,” symbolizing the relation of the two brands.
Why do people call Acura's Hondas?
Acura began its history in 1986 as the luxury division of the Honda Motor Company. It was the first luxury brand to go to market, beating both Lexus and Infiniti. The purpose of the Acura brand was to sell luxury versions of Honda vehicles outside Japan, in order to appeal to a broader, growing market at the time.
Are Acuras reliable after 100k miles?
Acuras remain reliable after 100,000 miles because of high-quality engineering, provided regular maintenance is done.
Are Acura's high end cars?
Acura is a luxury automotive brand! Acura models offer high quality, sophisticated builds, top-of-the-line technology, premium safety features, and much more. Explore our new and certified pre-owned models to see which of these luxurious vehicles fit your driving needs.
Why did Honda name it Accord?
The name Accord was derived from Honda's unremitting effort to achieve "accord" between people, society, and the automobile through advanced technology. The introduction of the first Accord in June of 1976 was significant for both the American Honda Motor Co., Inc., and the automobile industry as a whole.
Is Acura basically a Honda?
Yes, Honda launched the Acura brand in 1986. Is Acura Honda? Well, technically it is, although, unlike Honda which specializes in mainstream automobiles, Acura is focused on the production of luxury performance models.
