The Acura Division posted sales of 9,005, for March 2009. This is a decline of 29.5 percent compared to March 2008 and an increase of 1,346 vehicles versus the previous month. Sales of the Acura TSX sports sedan, the brand’s second-best-selling model for the month, increased 16.6 percent, to 2,556. The newly designed Acura TL sold 3,231 units, increasing over the previous month by 741 untis.

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HoMoCo has announced significant cost-savings efforts throughout its North American operations. The plan is four-fold and includes production cuts, buyouts, salary reductions and elimination of bonuses.

Impacting all Honda manufacturing facilities in Canada, The United States and Mexico, production cuts will span across both Honda and Acura production lines. There will be 13 days between May and July in which all facilities’ operations will be suspended in the US.

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While somewhat deceptive advertising has become expected & accepted by most when it comes to the auto industry, Protégez-Vous has decided to publish its thoughts on deceptive ads. Citing the troubling economy as the catalyst for the warnings, this year’s issue also included buyer beware warnings about a marked increase in misleading ads for car dealerships touting zero-per cent financing deals.

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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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In an effort to build upon the unveiling of the upcoming 2010 Acura CUV / Sport Wagon at the NY Auto Show, Acura has released some gorgeous silhouetted photos of they highly anticipated vehicle.

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While the federal government is handing out fistfuls of dollars to GM and Chrysler, they’re giving HoMoCo a hard time. Apparently, the US Patent & Trademark Office, specifically the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board (TTAB) is refusing to grant Acura the use of “Acura RL” as one mark.

As you can see from the photos below (specimens 1 & 2), the space between “Acura” & “RL” is so great, that the TTAB is arguing that it leaves the impression that “Acura” & “RL” are two separate marks and can not be considered one.

As it goes, we’re just reporters of Acura news and we won’t even try to pretend to understand all of the legalese that’s going on here. Go to John Welch’s TTABlog for the full skinny.

[Source: The TTABlog]

During a time of banking scandals, tightening budgetary belts and declining auto sales, Honda Finance is allegedely making it easier to finance or lease your new Acura. While Acura sales decline proportionate to industry average, Honda Financial services has chosen to ease restrictions on lending, yet, they’ve chosen to not publicize the effort.

In the past in order to receive Hondas tier one lease/buy rates you had to have a credit score of 720 or above and Honda Financial Service would consider you a “Super Preferred”. The next level was referred to as “Preferred” and included anyone with a credit score between 660 to 719.

They have now taken the “Preferred” away and replaced it with only “Super Preferred” and now in order to get the best lease/buy rates from Honda all you need is a 660 or above and a good payment history and credit to debt factor.

This is a good thing in today’s market because a lot of people who had scores of 740 now have 680 or 700 because of their house value dropping. Honda once again comes through for the average person.

Now get out there and buy or lease your new Acura!

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]

It looks like the American Socialist way is spreading beyond sea-to-shining-sea and the big three two, to the Japanese automakers. Following Toyota’s earlier request for Japanese government assistance; Honda is considering the same.

After announcing its 38% sales decrease in the U.S., its being reported that Honda is strongly considering asking for aid from the Japanese government.  The bailout being considered is to the tune of 10 billion yen or a mere $102 M-I-L-L-I-O-N U.S. dollars to lend to could-be U.S. Honda/Acura car buyers.

Maybe we should have waited before purchasing our new 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD…..naaaahhhhh!

[Source: Bloomberg]

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.”

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[Source: Honda]