The Ford Lorain Assembly Plant opened in 1958 and was at its peak manufacturing 10,000 trucks per month. Unfortunately, as demand began to dwindle, Ford was forced to shut down operation in the plant in 2005.

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Based on the recent 2010 Acura CUV spy shot, it’s apparent that Acura is getting near production with this BMW X6 fighter.  According to a document obtained from the Automotive Communities Program (ACP), we have information about the  manufacturing location and production numbers of what appears to be the Acura CUV.

The ACP is a non-profit, community-industry partnership administered by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) that is intended to link the major traditional centers of automotive activity to each other and to the changing North American industry in order to improve the likelihood of regional automotive renewal.

According to the 60 page document, Acura will be producing what the document refers to as the “Acura Mid-Size Sport Wagon [2AX]” in Alliston Ontario Canada’s Honda Plant # 2.  This is the same plant where the MDX, Pilot, Ridgeline and Civic are all produced.

There will be 1,359 “Sport Wagons” produced in 2010 –  17,667 in 2011 –  18,878 in 2012 and 19,848 in 2013…the typical 4 year Honda/Acura model cycle. To put things in perspective, there will be approximately 40,000 less “Sport Wagons” being produced in 2011 than there are RDXs being produced during that same year.

Acura usually offers new incentives on the third of every month.  Listed below are all Acura marketing incentives for every vehicle effective March 3, 2009.

2009 Acura RL

2009 Acura RL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$569.00 per month for 36 months. $3,799.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RL Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura TL

2009 Acura TL Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2008 and 2009 Acura TL Special AHFC A.P.R. Financing (March 3, 2009 – May 4, 2009)

2.90% APR for 24-36 months or 3.90% APR for 37-60 months

For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX

2009 Acura TSX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$299.00 per month for 36 months. $2,499.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura TSX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura MDX

2009 Acura MDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 — May 4, 2009)

$499.00 per month for 36 months. $2,899.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

2009 Acura RDX

2009 Acura RDX Featured Special Lease (March 3, 2009 –  May 4, 2009)

$399.00 per month for 36 months. $3,399.00 total due at signing.

Includes down payment with no security deposit. Excludes taxes, titles and fees. For well-qualified buyers.

2009 Acura RDX Finance Offers

Please see your local Acura dealer for available offers.

[Source: Acura]

The bad news is that Acura only sales were down significantly last year, only selling a total of 990 units. The good news is that the Acura MDX accounted for had its best month ever in Canada, selling a total of 434 units.

Full press release below

TORONTO, March 3 /CNW/ – Honda Canada Inc. reported combined February
sales of 7,041 units by its Honda and Acura divisions, a 42% decrease year-over-year. The Honda Automobile Division reported February sales of 6,051 units, down 43% from last year. The Acura Division reported February sales of 990 units, down 31% over last year.

“Our February results reflect our expectations,” said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc. “Our February results of 12,022 last year, which were nearly twice than the previous four-year monthly average of 6,452 units, were an anomaly and reflected initiatives designed to counter the strong Canadian dollar at that time. When we look at the previous four years of sales results – 2004 to 2007 – February sales this year were down 13 per cent, which is a better reflection of our sales situation than the 31 per cent decline would suggest.”

Best-ever February sales were reported for the Acura MDX with 434 units, up over its previous best February last year with 429 units.

Honda Canada manufactures the Honda Civic sedan and coupe, and the Acura
CSX and MDX at its two plants in Alliston, Ontario, and produces
fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engines at its new engine plant adjacent to its
manufacturing facilities. Approximately 92 per cent of all Honda and Acura
vehicles sold in Canada last month were produced in North America, with about
half of those vehicles made here in Canada.

For further information: Richard Jacobs, (416) 287-4708

[Source: Newswire.ca]

Michael Taylor begins his review by noting how Honda / Acura’s design approach has changed over the years from being simple and elegant to the current aggressive and bold. While the current MDX design is in its third model year, it still comes across as crisp, aggressive and bold. Taylor says,  ”It has a thrust-forward bulldog snout of a grill. It has gracefully flared but substantial fenders. The whole design is one that says, “I’m a strong, tough car, but at the same time don’t mistake me for a Suburban or Explorer. I’m more refined.”

The MDX is not only refined on the outside, but the interior coddles you with plush leather and practically every amenity you can expect. The plethora of controls further illustrates Taylor’s point that Acura has shifted from simple to complex; with the steering wheel alone housing 16 buttons. Under the skin is Acura’s 3.7L V6 producing 300 hp, mated to the 5 speed auto.

Overall, while Taylor likes the MDX, he feels it is counter to Acura’s design philosophy. Jump over to TheDay.com to read his review in full.

[Source: TheDay.com]

Perhaps the most anticipated Consumer Reports issue each year is the one that comes out every April and outlines the best and worst, new and used cars.  We’re happy to report that Acura had several positive mentions.

New car recommendations are defined by Consumer Reports “Bucks per bang” scoring system. Within categories, the bucks per bang is determined by dividing each vehicle’s five-year owner cost by its overall road-test score. All listed models have above average reliability Ratings.

• Upscale Cars – Acura TL was third on the list with a $505 bucks per bang
• Luxury Cars – Acura RL was third on the list with a $725 bucks per bang
• Luxury SUVs – Acura RDX was second on the list with $645 bucks per bang and the Acura MDX was fourth on the list with $670 bucks per bang.

According to Consumer Reports, “On average, Honda continues to make better all-around vehicles than any other automaker. The reliability of all Honda and Acura models is still the best of any automaker, although Toyota follows closely behind. Last year, Honda was the only automaker that had excellent reliability overall; this year it has dropped slightly.”

In the used car category, Consumer Reports focused on model years 1999 – 2008 and of course separated their recommendations into categories. Practically every category included a recommendation for Acura:

• Upscale Cars – Acura TL and Acura TSX
• Luxury Cars – Acura RL
• Sports & Sporty Cars – Acura RSX and Acura Integra
• Midsized and Large SUVs – Acura MDX

Consumer Reports also reported on several categories that fell under the heading of “The best used cars for under $20,000”. As expected, Acura had a lot of representation here.

• $4,000 – $6,000 – Acura CL ’99; Integra ’99-00; TL ‘99-00
• $6,000 – $8,000 – Acura CL ’01-02; Integra ’01; RL ’99-00; RSX ’02; TL ‘01
• $8,000 – $10,000 – Acura CL ’03; MDX ’01; RL ’02; RSX ’03; TL ‘02-03
• $10,000 – $12,000 – Acura MDX ’02-03; RSX ‘04
• $12,000 – $14,000 – Acura MDX ’04; RL ’04; RSX ‘05
• $14,000 – $16,000 – Acura TL ’04; TSX ‘04-05
• $16,000 – $18,000 – Acura MDX ’05; RSX ’06; TL ’05; TSX ‘06
• $18,000 – $20,000 – Acura MDX ’06; RL ’05; TSX ‘07

For full insight, details and ratings, we encourage you to subscribe to Consumer Reports to ensure you make the best purchasing decision possible for your next car.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Scott Dixon, the guy who gets to drive the #9 Target / Honda car in Indy and winner of the 2008 Indy Car Champion recently sat down for an interview with the gang at AutoRacing1.com.  Before wrapping up the questions, they asked Scott what kid of car he drove when he was exceeding 200 mph on a closed course.  Scott replied with, “Well, of course for me I’ve got the best car, a free car, and it’s supplied by Honda. I actually drive an Acura MDX…”

[Source: AutoRacing1.com]

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) February 25, 2009 — AutohausAZ.com (Autohaus Arizona, Inc.), a leading global auto parts E-Tailer that markets OEM auto parts for European and Japanese (Asian) cars, was announced as the international winner of the Online Sales Team of the Year Stevie® Award and one of the three finalists worldwide for the E-Commerce Customer Service Stevie® Award in the 3rd Annual Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, held in Las Vegas, February 9, 2009. The Stevie Awards, often referred to as “the business world’s Oscars”, were created to honor and generate worldwide recognition of the efforts, accomplishments and positive contributions of outstanding companies and their people.

AutohausAZ has built its 30-year reputation on professional integrity, personalized and friendly customer service and high-quality auto parts. A large part of the company’s success comes from treating customers with the utmost respect while also providing a unique personalized, caring touch. AutohausAZ.com strongly believes that customer service is a companywide commitment, not just a department. Therefore, everyone at AutohausAZ plays an important role in building long-term customer relationships.

“We’re thrilled to be recognized as the Online Sales Team of the Year and E-Commerce Customer Service Finalist. These awards, in addition to the Website of the Year Finalist Stevie Award bestowed upon us in November, demonstrate just how strongly committed AutohausAZ.com is to providing the highest quality customer service experience possible,” stated Carolyn Lefebvre, President/CEO of Autohaus Arizona, Inc.

“It’s extremely gratifying to receive worldwide recognition from the Stevie® Awards Committee. These awards, along with all the positive feedback we receive from our valued customers, motivate everyone at AutohausAZ.com to continue providing the very best service possible to each and every one of our customers.”

AutohausAZ.com stands out from the competition by internally performing all critical functions – designing and maintaining a user-friendly website, answering customer calls and emails, pulling, packing and shipping auto parts and designing in-house programs to continually improve accuracy & efficiency while decreasing training time. AutohausAZ feels it is not in the customer’s nor the company’s best interests to lose control over the performance of critical customer service functions and, unlike its competitors, does not “outsource” any of these areas. This has allowed AutohausAZ.com to consistently provide the personalized touch that its customers have come to expect.

‘This year’s Stevie Award honorees demonstrate that even in challenging economic times, it’s possible for organizations to continue to shine in sales and customer service, the two most important functions in business: acquiring and keeping customers,’ said Michael Gallagher, president of the Stevie Awards.

About AutohausAZ:
Autohaus Arizona, Inc. began in 1979 as Autohaus Phoenix, a local wholesale distributor of European auto parts in Phoenix. The Company launched its website in 1998 and today AutohausAZ.com distributes OEM European auto parts and Japanese auto parts to wholesale and retail customers worldwide. Specializing in German car parts (Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini Cooper, Porsche, and Volkswagen), AutohausAZ.com also carries a wide selection of auto parts for Swedish (Saab, Volvo), British (LandRover, Jaguar) and Japanese/Asian cars (Acura, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan and Toyota, to name just a few). For more information on AutohausAZ, please visit our website at http://www.AutohausAZ.com.

AutohausAZ.com is not a newbie to public recognition, with numerous prestigious awards having been bestowed upon the Company in the past two years including such honors as:
Diversity Business (2009) – Top 100 Women-Owned Businesses in Arizona; Top 50 Diversity-Owned Businesses in Arizona; Top 100 Privately-Held Businesses in Arizona
Diversity Business (2008) – Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the US; Top 100 Small Businesses in Arizona; Top 100 Diversity-Owned Businesses in Arizona; Top 100 Woman-Owned Businesses in Arizona
Inc. Magazine (2008) – named to the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in the US; Top 100 Businesses in the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metro area; Top 100 Retail Companies in the US
Arizona Small Business Association – ASBA (2008) – Arizona Company to Watch
Stevie Awards (2008) – Website of the Year Finalist in Women in Business Stevie Awards
Arizona Woman Magazine (2008) – Million Dollar Club

[Source: PRWeb]

The members of Obama’s Auto Task Force could be one of the reasons why the big 3 aren’t doing so well.  The same ladies and gents who are responsible for approving and enforcing the loans made to GM & Chrysler are overwhelmingly driving imports.

The co-chairs of the task force — Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner and White House National Economic Council Director Lawrence Summers — both own foreign automobiles.

Geithner owns a 2008 Acura TSX, registered in New York. He once owned a 1999 Honda Accord and a 2002 Acura MDX, according to public records.

Geithner is the president’s designee for purposes of enforcing loan agreements with GM and Chrysler and must approve or reject any proposed transactions by either company that would cost $100 million or more.

His maternal grandfather, Charles Moore, was a vice president at Ford Motor Co. from 1952-63, according to Peter Geithner, the secretary’s father.  But Geithner wasn’t very interested in cars growing up — in part because he graduated from high school in Asia, his father said.

[Source: Detroit News]

Honda has issued a press release announcing Takanobu Ito as the new President and CEO effective June 2009. Succeeding Takeo Fukui, Ito is currently serving as Senior Managing Director, has been with Honda motor since 1978 when he started as an R&D engineer.

Specific to Acura’s accomplishments, Ito oversaw the development of the first Acura NSX aluminum frame development (here’s hoping he sees the upcoming NSX as a pet project). Takanobu also developed the first generation MDX between 1998 & 2000.

[Source: Honda]

Full press release below Continue Reading