january 08 numbers: Acura - 11,068 down 14.2% Infiniti - 8,644 down 3.6% Audi - 6,418 up 0.3% BMW - 14,475 down 26.7% Mercedes - 18,275 up 7.1% Lexus - 20,299 down 8.2%
not exactly terrible.
infiniti's lineup only includes V6/V8 and RWD/AWD, yet still falls behind acura sales. G35 sedan sales were down 22% from 07 at 3,370. its in its 2nd year. the TL in its final year is only down 16.3% at 3,246.
also note that audi has 4 bangers (TT, A3, A4). audi and lexus also both have FWD cars. but you would never think of them as "luxury wannabes" or "not upscale". the problem for acura isnt the presence of FWD and 4 cyl. for the entry level cars, thats fine. the problem is that they dont have that brand image yet that makes other people say "nice!" when you say you drive an acura. that brand image will "make up" for the FWD or 4cyl (look at the lexus ES350 which is a 'camry with lipstick'). acura needs to get off their ass and make a proper luxury car that will rival the LS, A8, S class, 7 series to prove to the market they are serious about this luxury business before that brand recognition will start happening.
and also their PR department (and honda's for that matter) are HORRIBLE. they really need to get their marketing straight so they can put their name out there and establish themselves as a serious luxury player (after they have a proper flagship to back that up).
oh, and they need to fire the designers and get new ones. the 09 RL MMC is atrocious. "power plenum" grille? really?
