Acura Celebrates 25 Years in Canada

MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Twenty-five years ago today, the Acura brand was launched in Canada. It was the beginning of a bold and successful brand venture - the first Japanese luxury nameplate had arrived in Canada.

Created to bring performance, elegant design, advanced technology and higher levels of customer service to the luxury import market, Acura has grown from 20 dealers selling just two models in 1987 (Legend and Integra), to the current network of 50 retailers selling six distinctive Acura vehicles. The line up now includes three utility vehicles (MDX, RDX and ZDX) and three sedans (RL, TL and TSX). To date, more than 400,000 Acura luxury cars and trucks have been sold in Canada.

"When we look back at Acura's history in Canada, we can take great pride in the many things we've accomplished," said Jerry Chenkin, executive vice president, Honda Canada Inc.  "We're pleased to be celebrating this anniversary year with two exciting new vehicles coming this spring and additional models over the next several years that herald a dynamic future, firmly rooted in our core values of innovation, technology, luxury, and value, all built on a foundation of dependability, quality and reliability."

On Thursday, Acura will unveil three important vehicles at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto - the long-awaited Acura NSX Concept, the all-new Acura ILX sedan and the completely redesigned Acura RDX. The RDX is scheduled to be in dealerships in early April, with the all-new ILX entry-luxury sedan planned to arrive later in the spring.

"The NSX Concept, all-new ILX sedan, and redesigned RDX have been designed from the ground up with Acura DNA," said Chenkin. "And what better way to celebrate Acura's 25th anniversary here in Canada than by showing Canadians what's next."

Acura's history of 'firsts' in Canada over the past 25 years

YEAR	ACURA FIRST
1987	First Japanese luxury brand to in Canada
1990	First all-aluminum production automobile (1991 Acura NSX)
1990	First Japanese 'Supercar' (NSX)
1996	First manufacturer to build an exclusive-to-Canada luxury car (1997 Acura EL)
1996	First luxury import brand to design, engineer and assemble a model in North America (1997 Acura CL Coupe)
1996	First in-dash satellite-linked navigation system (1996 Acura RL)
1997	First 4-channel ABS system
1999	First dual-stage driver and passenger side airbags
2001	First 3-row luxury SUV (MDX)
2002	First Variable Valve Timing system (VTEC^®)
2003	First Drive-By-Wire™ (DBW) throttle system
2003	First standard DVD-Audio surround sound system (2004 Acura TL)
2003	First standard Bluetooth wireless telephone interface (2004 Acura TL)
2003	First use of 'acoustic' windshield glass (2004 Acura MDX)
2004	First brand to offer XM^® Satellite Radio as standard equipment
2004	First brand to offer Bluetooth^® HandsFreeLink^® technology as standard equipment
2004	First Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE™) body structure
2004	First torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system (SH-AWD^®)
2004	First application of Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ system (2005 Acura RL)
2004	First use of acoustic windshield glass
2004	First standard DVD-Audio Surround System
2005	First to offer Active Noise Cancellation
2008	First IIHS Top Safety Pick-rated model line-up
2009	First brand with NHTSA 5-star crash safety ratings for all models

Acura is the technology advanced performance division of Honda Canada Inc. Six vehicles (TSX, RDX, TL, RL, ZDX and MDX) are marketed under the Acura brand. Both the Acura ZDX and MDX are produced at the Honda of Canada Mfg. facility in Alliston, Ontario.

 

 

Image with caption: "Shown is an evolution of Acura's 25 years of "driving innovation," starting with the 1987 Legend and ending with the 2012 TL. Acura celebrated its 25th anniversary in Canada on February 14, 2012. (CNW Group/Acura Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120214_C4170_PHOTO_EN_10088.jpg

Richard Jacobs [phone]
Maki Inoue [phone]