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]

As expected, HoMoCO, along with most auto manufacturers posted a decline in year over year sales for February.  Acura’s second best selling TSX experienced an up-tick in sales of 4.1%, with total sales of 2,293.  The TL has reclaimed its title of Acura’s best selling model as it sold 2,490 units in February.  Acura as a whole sold 7,659 vehicles during the 24 day selling month.

“The pattern that emerged a few months ago seems to be continuing,” said Dick Colliver, executive vice president of sales for American Honda. “We hope, as spring beckons and the economy strengthens, sales will begin their upswing.”

# # #

[Source: Honda]

Despite the recent refresh of the Acura TSX (equivalent to the Euro Honda Accord), Acura is already working hard on the next gen TSX slated to be intro’d in 2011

There are several details coming to surface about the 2011 Euro Accord / eighth generation US Acura TSX. It appears as though Acura’s aggressive styling that was emphasized with the new 2009 TL will make its way into the 2011 TSX. Styling cues from the sketch make the TSX appear to be a “4 door coupe”, with the wheels being pushed far to the corners and the doors sitting high to make the roof look chopped.

There are also rumors of a TSX Type-S with a turbocharger and dual clutch with Acura’s SH-AWD.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

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]

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]

Acura debuted an all-new V-6 model for its TSX sports sedan line-up at the Chicago Auto Show today. Scheduled to go on sale this summer, the 2010 TSX V-6 will be equipped with a powerful 3.5-liter engine, exclusive suspension tuning, larger diameter wheels and additional enhancements.

“The automotive market may be slowing down, but not Acura,” said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. “With improved acceleration and handling, the new 280 horsepower V-6 adds even more sport to the already sporty nature of the popular TSX sports sedan.”

Since its redesign last year, the TSX has shattered sales records to become one of Acura’s best-selling sedans. As the entry point to the Acura brand, the four-cylinder TSX has won over customers with its nimble handling, agile driving feel and balanced performance. The V-6 model adds a new level of power on top of these winning traits for a more sporty and spirited driving experience. The V-6 will surely satisfy driving enthusiast’s appetite for a fun-to-drive, yet refined sports sedan.

With the introduction of a V-6 powered TSX, Acura will fill a niche in its lineup between the four-cylinder TSX and the all-new TL performance luxury sedan. With the TL moving more upscale following its redesign in the 2009 model year, the TSX V-6 will be aimed squarely at youthful buyers who want a performance-oriented sports sedan in a more personal size.

Powertrain
A new TSX powertrain choice means performance luxury buyers can enjoy a 280 horsepower 3.5L V-6, with sophisticated VTEC® valvetrain control and a dual-stage induction system. For maximum performance and efficiency, the engine will be coupled to Acura’s Sequential SportShift automatic transmission, with intelligent features such as Grade Logic Control and Shift Hold Control. If the driver desires, the Sequential SportShift transmission can also be operated manually, via steering-wheel mounted F1®-style paddle shifters.

Body/Chassis
The new TSX model will feature a state-of-the-art, double-wishbone front and multilink rear suspension system to provide excellent ride, handling and control. To generate sportier handling, the V-6 model will also use exclusive suspension tuning along with 18-inch split five-spoke aluminum wheels, fit with Michelin Pilot all-season tires. The larger wheels and tires will help distinguish this performance- minded TSX, as does the slightly revised front fascia and a V-6 badge on the trunk.
The TSX V-6 model will be generously equipped with the latest advancements in safety technology and is anticipated to achieve the highest ratings in both government (NHTSA)* and independent (IIHS) crash testing – including garnering IIHS’s TOP SAFETY PICK.

Interior
Like all Acura models, the new TSX will feature an exceptional level of standard equipment, including leather-appointed interior, power moonroof, automatic climate control, a premium seven-speaker sound system with CD, AM/FM tuner, XM® Satellite Radio, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink® , USB port and AUX jack music interface and more.

Similar to the four-cylinder TSX, the V-6 model will be available with the optional Technology Package that includes the Acuralink™ satellite navigation system with rear-view camera and the Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system for a top-in-class audio experience.

The introduction of the TSX V-6 at the Chicago Auto Show is the first step in a series of major advancements to the 2010 Acura lineup. Almost every Acura sedan and SUV will receive significant enhancements for the 2010 model year.

Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 270 dealers within the United States. The Acura lineup features five distinctive models, including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX luxury crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport-utility vehicle.
Additional details about the 2010 TSX V-6 will be available this summer. For information about current Acura vehicles, please visit www.acura.com. For media inquiries, please visit www.acuranews.com.

*Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs)..

[Source: Acura]

For the first and only time in the history of Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, an automobile nameplate has earned the prestigious TOP SAFETY PICK rating for every vehicle in its entire line-up. To accomplish this safety milestone, all 2009 Acura luxury sedans and SUVs received the highest possible rating in each IIHS crash test and feature the Acura Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) electronic stability control system as standard equipment.

“TOP SAFETY PICK winners are the top performers in tough front, side, and rear crash tests, and they have electronic stability control, a crucial technology that can help drivers avoid many crashes altogether,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “Acura’s achievement means that no matter which Acura model buyers choose, they’re getting state-of-the-art protection for the most common kinds of real-world crashes.”

To complete the Acura feat, earlier today the IIHS announced that the all-new 2009 Acura TL performance luxury sedan garnered its top safety rating of “GOOD” for each category, including Frontal Offset Crash Test, Side Impact Collision Evaluation (SICE) and Rear Crash Protection. The completely redesigned 2009 TL went on sale in September and is Acura’s top selling performance luxury sedan.

“With every Acura vehicle we build, safety is at the forefront throughout the entire design process,” said John Mendel, executive vice president of automobile operations. “We are extremely proud that Acura is the first and only nameplate to ever earn this safety distinction.”

In addition, all 2009 Acura vehicles have earned top governmental crash test ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA*) for NCAP Frontal Crash tests-the most common form of vehicle accident.

The top crash safety ratings are a direct result of Acura’s “Safety Through Innovation” initiative that is based on the brand’s commitment to leadership in safety. The initiative’s goal is for all Acura models to provide a high level of occupant protection along with injury mitigation to pedestrians, as well as increased crash compatibility with other vehicles, regardless of size or price.

For 2009, all Acura models include as standard equipment the Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure along with a host of other standard safety equipment including Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), anti-lock braking system (ABS), dual-stage/dual-threshold front airbags, side airbags with front passenger Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), active head restraints for front seats, front seatbelts with automatic tensioning system and load limiters, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Acura’s ACE™ body structure is designed to help absorb the energy of a frontal crash, while also helping to minimize the potential for an “under-ride” or “over-ride” phenomenon that can occur during frontal impact with a significantly larger, smaller, higher or lower vehicle. ACE™ channels frontal crash energy to both upper and lower structural elements, including the floor frame rails, side sills and A-pillars. These specially engineered load pathways help distribute frontal impact forces through a greater percentage of the vehicle’s total structure and away from the passenger compartment.

Acura engineers have the advantage of being able to utilize two ultra-sophisticated crash test facilities, including the world’s first indoor multi-directional car-to-car crash testing facility, located in Tochigi, Japan. This facility has played a crucial role in the development of enhanced designs for occupant and pedestrian safety as well as vehicle-to-vehicle compatibility.

Along with the Japan facility, Acura also conducts extensive safety testing on all U.S. developed models at the company’s Automotive Safety Research Facility which is located in Raymond, Ohio. The facility features the world’s first pitching test sled, which aids efficiency by enabling economical, repeatable and quick crash test simulations with certain interior safety components (such as seats and seatbelts) prior to conducting a crash test with an actual vehicle. It also features one of the world’s highest resolution impact barriers, which enables precise measurement of the distribution of impact load forces on a vehicle allowing for even more advanced vehicle designs.

Acura has been the first to market on many safety technologies including: the first production vehicle in the U.S. to offer a 4-channel braking system; the first production vehicle with a passenger-side airbag with height and position sensors; the first car to have dual-stage driver- and passenger-side airbags; the first luxury SUV to receive a 5-Star crash safety rating from NHTSA; and the first production vehicle to offer Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) that varies the deployment of the passenger side airbag depending on the occupant’s body location.

As part of its commitment to improving safety for all road users, Acura has also led the U.S. industry in the application of features designed to reduce injuries to pedestrians in a collision- such as collapsible hood hinges and breakaway windshield wiper pivots, with a focus on reducing severe head injuries, which account for 60 percent of pedestrian fatalities. In addition, the company sought to better understand the dynamics of pedestrian collisions, thus it developed the POLAR II safety test dummy which is widely recognized as the world’s most advanced pedestrian safety test dummy.

About IIHS
The IIHS is a not-for-profit organization that conducts independent testing to help reduce losses – deaths, injuries, and property damage – from crashes on the nation’s highways, and provides its findings to automotive insurers. IIHS has been conducting vehicle testing since 1969, and while it conducts impact crash tests similar to those conducted by NHTSA, IIHS tests make use of offset barriers rather than full-vehicle-width barriers.

Based on post crash test analysis, IIHS rates crash safety using four ratings: Good, Acceptable, Marginal and Poor. IIHS also conducts other vehicle safety tests including low-speed bumper impact tests and seat headrest evaluations based on rear impact tests. IIHS information and vehicle ratings can be obtained by visiting www.iihs.org.

About Acura
Acura offers a full line of technologically advanced performance luxury vehicles through a network of 271 dealers within the United States. The 2009 Acura lineup features five distinctive models including the RL luxury performance sedan, the TL performance luxury sedan, the TSX sports sedan, the turbocharged RDX crossover SUV and the award-winning MDX luxury sport utility vehicle.
For media information and high-resolution photos of all Acura vehicles, please visit www.acuranews.com. For consumer information, please visit www.acura.com.

*Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). All models tested with standard side-impact air bags (SABs).

[Source: Acura News]