The Acura Legend & Acura RL Forum - View Single Post

ChrisK · 02-21-08, 05:59 PM

Think about this. Every large business probably already has their 5 year or so plan set and in place. They will tweak it a bit, but the road map and plan are already laid out. When did Soichiro Honda die? I believe it was 1989. When did Honda and Acura seemingly loose their vision and way? Mid 90s.

Seriously. Think about what these bone head management at Honda/Acura have done since the passing of Soichiro Honda. They changed the Legend name to RL for better brand name recognition. Nothing has a catchy name anymore and is just a simple 3 letters like everyone else in the business. They left the NSX to die by not updating it in a timely manner, and not bringing out the 2nd generation. Now they are desperately trying to bring out a successor to the NSX, but every concept attempt falls short and too late compared to the competition. The drop the mid engine. In the meantime. The Porsche Cayman goes on sale, the Audi R8 goes on sale, The Nissan GTR goes on sale, and even the Lexus LF-A is about ready to go on sale. What does Acura have? Well, they are back to the drawing board because they still can't find the right direction to go with the new NSX that should have come out back in 2000.

Anyway, brand perception plays a huge role in the general public. In the late 80s to early and perhaps mid 90s Acura's brand perception was still competitive with Lexus. Problem is, Acura's brand perception then went stagnant or down hill and Lexus brand perception and image took off. Now, Acura to many is considered an entry level luxury brand with their top model selling at $50K. I think the RL is an over all better car than the Lexus GS350, but for $50K most will choose the Lexus GS350.

The TV, Newspaper and Radio ads don't create the brand perception. People get a feel for it by the buzz around the brand. When regular people on the street here the name Acura, they think they make good cars. When people on the street here the name Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes, they think you have made it and are impressed. Not saying that is the correct, but just how people feel. That is why my insurance agent (Women in here mid 40s) gets more excited when I brought in my BMW 3 series than when I brought in my NSX. I said its just a 3 series. She said but its a BMW.

02-21-08, 05:59 PM	#59 (permalink)
ChrisK 0000$$$$0000####0000 Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Hawaii Posts: 4,963 Car 1: Acura iTrader: (0)	Think about this. Every large business probably already has their 5 year or so plan set and in place. They will tweak it a bit, but the road map and plan are already laid out. When did Soichiro Honda die? I believe it was 1989. When did Honda and Acura seemingly loose their vision and way? Mid 90s. Seriously. Think about what these bone head management at Honda/Acura have done since the passing of Soichiro Honda. They changed the Legend name to RL for better brand name recognition. Nothing has a catchy name anymore and is just a simple 3 letters like everyone else in the business. They left the NSX to die by not updating it in a timely manner, and not bringing out the 2nd generation. Now they are desperately trying to bring out a successor to the NSX, but every concept attempt falls short and too late compared to the competition. The drop the mid engine. In the meantime. The Porsche Cayman goes on sale, the Audi R8 goes on sale, The Nissan GTR goes on sale, and even the Lexus LF-A is about ready to go on sale. What does Acura have? Well, they are back to the drawing board because they still can't find the right direction to go with the new NSX that should have come out back in 2000. Anyway, brand perception plays a huge role in the general public. In the late 80s to early and perhaps mid 90s Acura's brand perception was still competitive with Lexus. Problem is, Acura's brand perception then went stagnant or down hill and Lexus brand perception and image took off. Now, Acura to many is considered an entry level luxury brand with their top model selling at $50K. I think the RL is an over all better car than the Lexus GS350, but for $50K most will choose the Lexus GS350. The TV, Newspaper and Radio ads don't create the brand perception. People get a feel for it by the buzz around the brand. When regular people on the street here the name Acura, they think they make good cars. When people on the street here the name Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes, they think you have made it and are impressed. Not saying that is the correct, but just how people feel. That is why my insurance agent (Women in here mid 40s) gets more excited when I brought in my BMW 3 series than when I brought in my NSX. I said its just a 3 series. She said but its a BMW.