Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company.
The brand has been available in the United States and Canada since
March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and near-performance
vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, and
China in 2006. Honda's plan to introduce Acura to the
Japanese market in 2008 was delayed, due to economic reasons, and later
withheld as a result of the 2008 financial crisis.
The creation of Acura coincided with the introduction of a Japanese Honda dealership sales channel, called Honda Clio, which sold luxury vehicles, joining previously established Honda Verno, followed by Honda Primo the following year. Acura holds
the distinction of being the first Japanese automotive luxury brand. In
its first few years of existence, Acura was among the best-selling
luxury marques in the US. Though sales were down in the mid-to-late
1990s, the brand experienced a revival in the early 2000s, due to
drastic redesigns and the introductions of new models.
