Acura delays diesel due to business conditions, not technical hurdles
Early last year, Acura announced that we would see a 2.2-liter diesel in its lineup in the 2009 model year with a V6 diesel expected to follow in 2010. According to a conversation with AutoblogGreen yesterday, Acura's diesel program has been put on hold – indefinitely. Honda of America spokesperson Sage Marie said the program is in "wait and see" mode due to commercial, not technical, reasons (it was just two months ago that the program was rumored to be shelved when the engine couldn't pass emissions). Honda says a combination of factors, including plummeting car sales and the high cost of diesel fuel (especially now that gasoline is down below $2/gallon) are solely to blame. While the 2.2-liter diesel is already available in Europe (in the Euro Honda Accord – our Acura TSX), the Acura diesel is expected to be a low-volume model on our shores. With that in mind, the automaker has decided to re-evaluate where the market is heading before making a significant investment in oil-burners for this country.
Gallery: 2009 Acura TSX
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jerry 4:48PM (12/11/2008)
Make a coupe. Make a sport wagon. Make a convertable. Please get a v-6
with some excitement. Hurry we're waiting. Why should Lexus, Bmw, Infinity
and Audi have all the fun!
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KeatMP 6:27PM (12/11/2008)
I think the first order of business should be rear-wheel drive.
MachinaDC5 8:12PM (12/11/2008)
Could not agree more with RWD and the coupe. Three sedans and two SUVs... how attractive... *rolls eyes*
torpeau 4:45PM (12/11/2008)
It doesn't help sales when your newest cars are ugly.
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mmstowes 5:31PM (12/11/2008)
Except, if you were to actually look at the sales numbers of the vehicles when they were introduced, they were selling just fine for new introductions (relative to market conditions).
So perhaps the next time you're pulling comments, corn and loose bits of toilet tissue out of your ass, you could crap out some intelligence too. kthanxbye.
torpeau 5:37PM (12/11/2008)
Yeah, they are so good looking that some dealers are trying to change their looks. Honda styling has been in trouble lately.
mmstowes 8:17PM (12/11/2008)
Doesn't matter if the dealer doesn't like the way the car looks if the customer's buying. And up until Oct.-November when everyone except, Audi, Mini and Subaru took dives from last year, the TSX (and TL) were doing just fine. Audi, Mini and Subaru's growth is more reflective of current trends (new product year-over-year, fuel prices year-over-year, changing SOA, etc).
You think every dealer actually liked the Aztek? Hell no. But there are a few on the roads, so obviously dealers sold a couple to people who wanted them.
SimbaDogg 9:53PM (12/11/2008)
using a bit of paint to cover up a bit of silver isn't really that much of a drastic change IMO. i dont think people will be either either completely turned off, or turned onto a car based on the grill. thats just stupid talk
UnixSystemsEngineer 11:24PM (12/11/2008)
mmstowes,
Your argument, it makes no sense. Of course Acura's sales would be up with a brand-new model as compared to other manufacturers trying to sell old stock. That doesn't mean it's not fugly.
Dr. Nick 4:52PM (12/11/2008)
Good bye stinky non emissions passing diesel! Hellloooo beautiful, buxom, cheap gas!
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moyoi 5:59PM (12/11/2008)
with all that short-sightedness, I'm surprised you don't run into more things.
Rich 7:54PM (12/11/2008)
Talk about checking facts... sheesh!
Smegley 5:08PM (12/11/2008)
It would be nice if Acura would delay and cancel that stupid grill too.
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JDMlover 5:24PM (12/11/2008)
Yawn....
tell me about something that matters
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P.V. 7:17PM (12/11/2008)
Did you just say "Yawn", JDMLover? Look no farther than Lexus. Content yourself and bother us no more.
Carlos 5:45PM (12/11/2008)
How about selling a diesel Civic or Fit? That would sell better than any TSX would.
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ale 5:54PM (12/11/2008)
cmon guys, we're all being robbed, so much for a fuel efficient car that we could buy, bye bye 40+ mpg...and to whoever thinks that this new diesel is dirty, they probably drive around in a 95 Ford with a cracked header, doing no one any good
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Typesbad 6:07PM (12/11/2008)
I was looking forward to driving this vehicle. I get Car Magazine and am very interested in the diesel options they have in Europe. But the inexplicably high price for diesel makes this a very difficult business case for buyer and seller. I can understand Honda's decision. I wish success on the VW and Audi diesels. Maybe that will bring Honda in.
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Zerk 6:11PM (12/11/2008)
TSX and Nissan Maxima were both expected to offer diesel in 2009 as 2010 models.
My plan was to choose between them as my next car. No diesel = no Acura. I don't know if Nissan will still offer a diesel in the Maxima with the current economic conditions with low gas and high diesel prices.
I might have to downgrade to VW Jetta TDI or Golf TDI. I'd much prefer Nissan or Acura as they have much better dealers.
Perhaps Acura will have a change of heart.
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P.V. 6:25PM (12/11/2008)
That's fine. I understand.
If anyone looks at the sale numbers, one will see that the TL (despite its supposed ugliness (I admittedly like it)) has actually INCREASED in sales.
Stop hating on Acura for its styling. It may be ugly, but it certainly isn't hurting sales (I guess the Acura PR team has done its job well).
Frankly, most of the luxury CUVs I see in my area are Acura MDXs (2007-). The Acura MDX even outnumbers the Lexus RX (2004-2009) in my area. This is more proof that the styling hasn't hurt sales; it's the economy, stupid (Clinton).
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