Future of Acura

NSX Rendering

Acura announced today that it will unveil three all-new vehicles at the 2012 North American International Auto Show including an all-new compact sports sedan, a redesigned RDX crossover SUV, and a concept version of the next generation Acura NSX super car. 

The Acura ILX Concept is a styling study of an all-new luxury compact sedan scheduled for launch in spring 2012. To be positioned at the gateway to the Acura lineup, the ILX will feature three powertrains including Acura's first-ever gas-electric hybrid. Acura also will unveil a prototype of the 2013 RDX, the second generation of Acura's five-passenger SUV. Finally, Acura will debut the NSX Concept, which represents the styling direction for the next generation of Acura's super sports car. 

"Acura has a steady cadence of exciting new models coming to market and it will all begin in Detroit," said Jeff Conrad, vice president and general manager of Acura sales and service. "From the all-new Acura ILX at the gateway of the lineup to the pinnacle of performance with the Acura NSX Concept, Acura vehicles are being created for luxury customers who aspire to the highest levels of quality and value, with beautiful styling and the right balance of technology, performance and environmental responsibility." 

All three vehicles will be introduced at the North America International Auto Show on January 9, 2012. The press conference will be webcast live on www.acuranews.com. 

2012 Honda CR-V On Sale! (U.S.)

Honda has just released the 2012 Honda CR-V stateside with an average price increase of $181, however Honda says that the average consumer will be getting over $1000 extra in equipment for their money. The base LX now starts at $23 105 including the $810 destination fee and the top EX-L AWD now starts at $29 805 with the EX-L AWD NAVI starting at $30 605, down $300 from the 2011 model. An easier fold-down rear seat, an SMS text messaging dictation function, increased power and fuel economy all make up the extra $1000 in equipment.

-LX FWD $23,105

-LX AWD $24,355
-EX FWD $25,205
-EX AWD $26,455
-EX-L FWD $27,855
-EX-L AWD $29,105
-EX-L FWD with rear entertainment system (RES) $28,555
-EX-L AWD with RES $29,805
-EX-L FWD with navigation $29,355
-EX-L AWD with navigation $30,605

*All prices include $810 destination fee

EV-STER Bound For Production?

The latest rumor to come out of the Honda doors is that the EV-STER concept seen at the Tokyo Motor Show may be going into production. The concept is a kei-car and is essentially the same size as the Honda Beat. It is powered by a 78-hp lithium ion motor and can hit 60km/h in 5 seconds with power going to the rear wheels. The electric car has a range of 100 miles and a top speed of 100mph. No word on the production size or power of the gas engine.

No idea when it may come to North America, we'll keep you posted.

Honda Battles TrueCar

Honda is embroiled over a fight between its dealers and prices being displayed over at TrueCar.com. Honda has told dealers that it will not give them allowances for advertising if they continue to advertise vehicles below invoice on TrueCar.com, an internet auto sales service. Honda thinks that disclosing the cut-rate prices is damaging the brand and is making dealers compete with one another for buyers rather than with other automakers. What the deal with TrueCar is, is that the prices at which dealers are willing to sell cars at, are disclosed to all the visitors on the site. TrueCar is owned by several of the US' largest auto shopping services.

Honda's part of the issue is that it wants to protect its brand image and support pricing. Honda's attempt to withdraw its dealers from participating in this website extends to Acura dealerships. Advertising allowances that may be cut can allocate up to $600 a vehicle.

Industry analysts say Honda's decision may backfire as Honda shoppers that access the website will notice that there are no longer any Honda vehicles on the website and they will simply move to other brands / dealerships who are advertising their cars on the site, including Honda's competitors, Toyota and Nissan.

Canadian Honda Fits to be Exported from China

In a move that may see some cost-cutting, Honda has started to export variants of the Fit to Canada from a China local plant. Up until now, Honda has exported the Fit from Japan but in eye of the Japanese earthquake, Honda says the move is towards maximizing production capacity and be able to have multiple production bases shoulder numerous responsibilities in order to help each other in case of a crisis. Honda is aiming to reduce the production of exports in Japan to 10-20% over the next 10 years from the current 30-40%. 

Honda's Fit sales in Canada are very small due to the success and the "nourishment" of the Civic line in Canada, Fit sales have totaled only 2 700 since the start of 2011. 

2012 Honda Ridgeline On Sale In Canada!

Honda's 2012 Ridgeline is making its way to Canadian dealerships now! The base DX model will continue to exist with a base price of $34 990 along with the upgraded VP model at $36 690, the new Sport model (picture above) is listed at $41 490 with a black exterior look at 18" alloy wheels and the top of the line EX-L model has been phased out for the Touring model with an upgraded audio system, leather interior, moonroof, 10-way power drivers seat and a rearview camera for $43 690.

Visit http://honda.ca/ridgeline for more.