Why is Honda also called Acura?
Many car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike have wondered why Honda, a globally recognized automobile manufacturer, is also associated with the name Acura. This article delves into the history and reasoning behind Honda's decision to create the Acura brand, offering insights into its purpose and significance in the automotive industry.
The Birth of Acura: Honda's Luxury Division
Acura is not a separate company but rather a luxury division of Honda. It was introduced in 1986 as part of Honda's strategy to enter the high-end automobile market, particularly in North America. At the time, Japanese automakers were primarily known for producing reliable and affordable vehicles, but they lacked a presence in the luxury segment dominated by European and American brands.
To compete with brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Cadillac, Honda launched Acura as a distinct brand that would focus on premium vehicles with advanced features, superior performance, and refined designs. The introduction of Acura marked the first time a Japanese automaker created a separate luxury brand, setting a precedent later followed by Toyota (with Lexus) and Nissan (with Infiniti).
Why Not Just Use the Honda Name?
Honda chose to create a new brand name for its luxury vehicles instead of marketing them under the Honda badge for several reasons:
- Brand Differentiation: By creating Acura, Honda could establish a clear distinction between its mainstream vehicles and its luxury offerings. This allowed the company to target different customer demographics without diluting the Honda brand's identity as a maker of reliable, affordable cars.
- Market Perception: In the 1980s, the perception of Japanese cars in the U.S. was primarily tied to economy and practicality. A new brand name helped Honda overcome these stereotypes and position Acura as a serious contender in the luxury market.
- Marketing Strategy: Launching Acura as a separate brand allowed Honda to create a unique marketing and dealership network tailored specifically to luxury car buyers, enhancing the customer experience.
By establishing Acura as a standalone brand, Honda successfully entered the luxury market without compromising its reputation for affordability and reliability.
Acura's Success and Legacy
Acura's debut models, the Acura Legend and Acura Integra, were met with critical acclaim and commercial success. The Legend, in particular, was praised for its refined performance and luxurious features, while the Integra appealed to younger buyers with its sporty design and affordability. Acura's success paved the way for other Japanese automakers to follow suit, and it remains a key player in the luxury car market today.
Over the years, Acura has continued to innovate, introducing models like the NSX supercar and the MDX SUV, which have further solidified its reputation as a luxury brand with a focus on performance and technology.
Conclusion
In summary, Honda created Acura to establish a foothold in the luxury automobile market and to cater to a different segment of customers. By doing so, Honda not only expanded its market reach but also changed the perception of Japanese automakers in the global automotive industry. Today, Acura stands as a testament to Honda's vision and ability to adapt to market demands while maintaining its core values of quality and innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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.
Are Acuras reliable after 100k miles?
Acuras remain reliable after 100,000 miles because of high-quality engineering, provided regular maintenance is done.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
