Honda admits the RL is a flop

C

Corey Bit Spank

Active member
Acura concludes slow-selling RL flagship needs help



By KATHY JACKSON | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS

AutoWeek | Published 02/21/06, 10:02 am et



ORLANDO, Fla. -- When Acura redesigned its flagship RL in 2004, it loaded on the goodies: all-wheel drive, navigation system, 10-speaker stereo and radar that warns drivers of an impending crash.



It has a price tag to match: $49,915 with shipping, about $6,000 more than the previous-generation RL.



Oops.



Now Acura has concluded that its slow-selling flagship needs help.



The division is considering a lower-content version of the car, some dealers say. Sales chief **** Colliver told Automotive News that the RL's content will change next year but gave no details. He acknowledged that the RL "hasn't performed to expectations."



The RL lacks a V-8 engine, an amenity expected by many luxury buyers.



"It's at a price point in foreign territory for us," Mike McGrath, chairman of the Acura dealer council, said at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention here. "Maybe Acura doesn't have the brand image" to sell a vehicle at that price.



McGrath said the dealer council has recommended a model with less content. "It only comes one way: loaded," he said. "We need something in the low to mid-40s."



The redesigned RL was introduced in October 2004. In 2005 it substantially outsold the previous-generation model. But sales have slipped. In the four months ending January 31, Acura sold 4,899 RLs, down 25.6 percent year-over-year.
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http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060221/FREE/60221002/1024/LATESTNEWS



Oops. Maybe they should rethink the styling. It looks more like an Accord than a TL.
 
and radar that warns drivers of an impending crash.
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What the hell is that? If you get so distracted while driving that you don't know that you're about to hit something, why do you have a license in the first place? What does this radar tell you? "Slow down! Accident immenent!"
 
Well, I'm glad that Honda is one of the few companies that really listens to the consumers...



The RL needed to be rear-wheel drive based AWD, and not be on a modified Accord chassis. The design also wasn't as sharp and bold as other Acuras, while Lexus and Mercedes are getting edgier...

The luxury features are more than adequate, and I'm glad that there weren't any expensive options to check off...the thing came LOADED...



I dunno, hopefully things will change for the better, and maybe...just maybe....the Ridgeline V8 that's soon to be out should make its way to the RL...



A Honda V8...I never thought I'd say that...:D
 
Honestly, I didn't see the point in the car at it's introduction. Too small, too heavy, too expensive, no V8(even as an option) and no *real* differentiation from the TL other than AWD and stately looks. My wife likes the car but *I* couldn't see beyond the TL for the difference in price.
 
RL news doesn't affect me one way or the other but I just had to click on the link to find out why the forum software censored Colliver's name. :D





PC.
 
I would take a TL over it any day.





However, its good to hear they are planning on changing it as a response to customer's feelings. Almost no auto company will do that.
 
what else can you get for $50k?



audi... not a very good value either in the A6 or s4



Bmw 5



Cadillac CTS (much more blingy)



infinity m45



Mercedes c55 AMG



this is not competition it can hold its own with. this price range also gives you the Lotus models and the Corvette.





Who thought this was a good idea.
 
well i guess i am the only one that loves the rl. and considering the old ones were 44 with nav, this car is a lot more for the money. it constantly gets good reviews too. oh well, i guess it means it will be cheaper when they are used so i can pick one up :)
 
GSRstilez said:
However, its good to hear they are planning on changing it as a response to customer's feelings. Almost no auto company will do that.
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I'm pretty sure they're changing it in response to sales figures, not just "customers' feeling"; I suspect that most companies try to, if they have the wherewithal to do so.
 
Kanchou said:
what else can you get for $50k?



audi... not a very good value either in the A6 or s4



Bmw 5



Cadillac CTS (much more blingy)



infinity m45



Mercedes c55 AMG



this is not competition it can hold its own with. this price range also gives you the Lotus models and the Corvette.





Who thought this was a good idea.
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If you can get an M45, C55 or comparably equipped 5 series for the price of an RL please show where.



EDIT: Are you serious about comparing a luxury car to a sports car and assuming that one would be cross shopping the two?
 
SpoiledMan said:
I wouldn't say that. How close have you been to one? Driven it?



I think the *key* thing it's missing is more interior room.
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i know, pretty lame comment if i do say so myself. you can't even barely buy a new accord for 20k anyways
 
2006-Honda-Accord-05802041990005.JPG


HON2005081735871_pv.jpg
 
SpoiledMan said:
BTW, that's a *$30k* Accord you picture there.
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you are correct



what i am saying is it needs a completely new body style. it has a different shaped bumper and some painted panels, it is the same bodylines...people who pay 50k+ want something that stands out a little in the crowd



it would be the same as chevy dressing up a camaro with fancy interior, engine, suspension and selling it for $50k as a corvette. instead, they use a whole new body and frame for the vette....
 
If you haven't been to an Acura dealer and compared/driven both the TL and the RL then you wont understand this. The RL's $50k problem is the $35k TL. There isn't enough difference in content and surely not styling to bring about the $15k difference.
 
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