New Honda President Lays Out a Few Goals

I have a goal for Honda. Stop making your new cars ugly!

"My wish, within 10 years. Please tell your government to build more hydrogen stations."

In other words, please spend your recession tax dollars on the solution that we've decided to go with. Bah!

I don't blame him on the NSX though.

Acuras used to have a bit of soul. No more. Now it's all tech-tech-tech.

I like how he mocks the LF-A.

"Please tell your government to build more hydrogen stations."

Proving that leaders of socialist economies just don't seem to understand the concept of capitalism and the free market at all (nor does a sizable population of the U.S.). So only the *government* can build hydrogen stations or anything else? All they can conceive is that only the central planners know what's best for everyone else, and will force it upon them. Hogwash. If there is a consumer demand for it, others will build it. It is government's constant interference with individuals' decisions about what's best for them and their families that muck the system up.

"There's a certain level of confusion within the Acura line-up..."

Nah. Just get your designers to lay off the sake! Seriously. I worked for an Acura dealer in the 90's. We begged Acura for sharper looking cars and we got the original TL and CL. Bland as hell. Then the next TL and CL almost got there styling wise, but the 3rd gen TL was just about dead on. The current RL lost it's way. Really lost. The TSX has always been a cool niche car...even the 2nd gen with it's new face. Then comes the current TL and the new ZDX. Hence the designers on sake reference above. Acura has always been trying to be the cheaper cousin to some really good driving cars. They need to be distinctive (in a good way) driver's cars that are a premium alternative to the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Infiniti, Cadillac and Audi. Either that or loose the gimmicky styling and be better at being the cheaper cousin.

"Nah. Just get your designers to lay off the sake!"

Although I agree with you in regards to Acura design, the sedan lineup is very confusing as the TSX, TL and RL are all nearly the same size and offer similar V6 power and similar features. Of course the TL SH-AWD is the performer of the 3 and it currently overshadows the more expensive RL flagship which isn't a good thing. Give me a valid reason (other than aesthetics) I should purchase an RL over a cheaper, larger TL SH-awd?

As I said in another post, Acura should return the TSX to its original size. The TL should shrink slightly..... somewhere in between the previous and the current size. Make the RL a larger, legit sport/luxury flagship yet meet or exceed Ito's new performance and environmental goals for the brand.

The SUV's are pretty much where they need to be as there is enough difference in size, power and distinction between the 3 to know which model belongs in what segment. Of course they will have to meet Ito's plans also.

"Proving that leaders of socialist economies just don't seem to understand the concept of capitalism and the free market at all"

So is Japan a socialist economy? or is Honda a socialist economy? If either of those is true, then socialism must be a phenomenal success story. . .

"the sedan lineup is very confusing as the TSX, TL and RL"

and people jump on Lincoln for confusing names.

This guy sucks. I miss the original Honda dude; he got it right. He'd build the NSX and it would be light and simple and cool and that's all you need.

"This guy sucks. I miss the original Honda dude; he got it right. He'd build the NSX and it would be light and simple and cool and that's all you need."

Benson, I believe Ito had a bit of input in the original NSX's development along with Chief Designer Ken Okuyama and Chief Engineer Shigeru Uehara. Ito doesn't suck.

Although I was frustrated with all the cancellations of future, RWD, more performance oriented Acura's, I can clearly see why Ito completely changed Honda and Acura's plans. Many people fail to realize that Honda is still a very, very small automotive company and doesn't have the financial resources to burn through like much larger companies such as VW, Toyota, the old GM and Hyundai. With that said, Honda must watch how it spends every penny especially during these uncertain economic times. Smart and logical business practices have always been a part of the Honda culture and this is no different.

In terms of another halo sports car for the Acura brand, Ito has stated that he's certainly not against developing an ultra high performance sports car but it wouldn't be like any thing else currently on the market as it would feature green technology. He also stated that those kind of projects wouldn't be feasible until Honda had much stronger profits and a more solid foundation to ensure Honda's overall health and sustainability. Priorities first, desires later.

Here is Ito actual quote:

"Any sort of future super sportscar would only be considered once Honda has cleared several development hurdles for environmental technology, including hybrid technology suitable for larger vehicles, plug-in hybrid technology, and hydrogen battery fuel cells. Once we come up with these new, innovative technologies that we are researching - once we have (an) abundance of cash on hand - I would definitely love to see Honda develop a sports car which would symbolize these technologies", said Ito. "And, once that day comes, the sportscar will NOT be something like Toyota announced yesterday, but instead it will be environmentally friendly (while) at the same time enjoying outstanding performance. I'd love to do that."