Acura Considering Small Car, New Hybrids

Apart from Lexus, Japanese luxury brands still pale in comparison to their German rivals in terms of the number of models they produce and the prices they can command. Overall image in the marketplace and status on the street have likewise proven difficult to develop. That's why Acura is making a hard push specifically to boost its image and achieve 'tier 1' luxury automaker status, but in its own unique way.

While many automakers use big powerful models as attention grabbers, Acura sees fuel economy as a way to differentiate itself in what is becoming a very competitive market. Though this may come as just more frustration for dealers, who have to deal with a limited, lackluster and aging lineup, Acura is adamant that it won’t offer big rear-drive V-8 vehicles and will instead start selling more hybrid models.

Speaking with Automotive News, Acura vice president Jeff Conrad said the brand was considering adding a smaller car positioned below the TSX to take on the likes of the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3. This is a direction Lexus and Infiniti are also taking, with Lexus revealing its new model, the CT 200h, next week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and Infiniti confirming its compact model earlier this week. Note that neither Lexus nor Infiniti have announced plans to bring their new compact models to the U.S. market.

Conrad also revealed that there would new hybrid models though their launch could take a year or more. Acura’s first hybrid model is expected to be a gasoline-electric version of the TSX and arrive in 2011.

Source;
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1042879_acura-considering-small-car-new-hybrids