Acura Focuses on Niche To Bolster Lineup

Acura sales were down (partially) because, with the exception of the nicely drawn Tl-Series, their vehicles either look completely ridiculous (MD-X/RD-X) or sadly nondescript (RL-Series)...

I drove a friends new MD-X, and came away very disheartened that such a wonderfully well-sorted performer could have been given such an unsightly look.

And People, looks do count in this game...

DisHeartened - But how did it drive? You said you drove it but came away disheartened about the looks. Cheese and Rice People!!! Had you said that when you first saw the MDX, you were disheartened, that would of made more since ol'chap.

I Found the MDX to be handsome looking. I like the lines. Especially at night when you see it heading towars you. It looks imposing

People complain when Acura designs cars that "look like Honda's" and then they complain when they give them a bolder look. WHich is it people? I thought the MDX was hideous when I first saw it too. But it's looking better everytime I see it, AND you won't mistake it for a Honda :) I think Acura needs to do more like the MDX and less like the RL. Develop your own style. Unique designs are often not well liked at first.

I agree 100%

I also agree 100%. Look at BMW!

me too

I agree I think the MDX is one of the best looking SUV'S on the market and people keep dogging the grill, Acura finally got brave and now they are getting knocked. The grill adds character to the truck and inside is every mans dream buttons. "Advance"

I hope all of their new models carry the MDX's design language. The RL is a nothing, and the TL seems to be getting more bland by the day. Inject some spice into these sedans! When the '07 MDX came out, I thought it was terrible, but now I can tell that I will never get tired of seeing it- completely unlike the old model.

I'm surprised that their sales are down this year. I thought the MDX would give them all of the boost they'd need.

acura started going downhill, imho, when they abandoned the distinctive Legend and Integra names and started using non-descript alphabet soup names.

the styling then followed down the road to anonymity.

I agree with some of your comments, but that one "Could you imagine if Lexus or Mercedes or BMW tried to build all their models on one or two different platforms?" You just sound like an idiot. Mercedes and BMW are the only two that built their luxury cars on original platform, not Toyota/Lexus.
Because these two don't have an every day econo line.
Toyota/Lexus does dumn azz!

good points, Mercedes!

having studied a little psychology, here's how i analyze the alphanumeric fad:

if a car is notable on it's OWN MERITS, people will take note and accept any name the maker gives it, short of totally goofy ones.

if a car is NOT notable, no one will bother to clutter their brain with MEANINGLESS letters/numbers. a REAL name in this case is at least easier to remember.

back in the day, car makers spent BIG BUCKS to come up with interesting and memorable names. often animals or whatever. like with so many other components, seems like now they just "cheap out" on easy to slap together alphanumerics.

maybe some makers/marketing depts think by switching from real names to letters/numbers, buyers will ASSOCIATE the cars with other cars with established reps which also happen to have alphanumerics.

just how DUMB do they think consumers are? such makes DESERVE sales declines.
lincoln seems to have followed acura down this stupidity path.
even hyundai seems to know better, taking the OPPOSITE tack and replacing the XG350 with Genesis.