As the luxury division of Honda Motor Company, Acura has been producing high-performance vehicles for distribution in North America since the late 1980s. The division was initially designed exclusively for sale in the North American market, although later expansions saw Acuras sold in Mexico, China and Japan itself. Renowned both for its sporty coupes and luxury sedans, Acura remains one of the most recognizable and popular luxury brands in the United States.
Acura first debuted in the United States in 1986 with two models--the full-size Legend sedan and the Integra coupe--which offered the luxury of German and American performance vehicles at a significant price discount. Unlike other foreign luxury divisions, Acura enjoyed immediate success in North America, selling over 100,000 vehicles during its first full year of sales.
In the early 1990s, Acura increased its research and development budget and produced the NSX, the most powerful Japanese sports car built to date. The car's aluminum construction and reliability made it an instant competitor to entry-level Porsche and Lamborghini offerings, enhancing Acura's reputation and attracting a new class of upmarket consumers.
At the same time, the company captured the lower tier of luxury-car buyers with the Vigor, a midsized sedan built on a modified Honda Accord platform. Acura's Integra coupe also maintained its enthusiastic consumer base for years after it ceased production thanks to the ease with which its engine block and exhaust system could be modified--for a relatively small investment in a few aftermarket parts, car enthusiasts found that they could significantly enhance the Integra's performance.
During the 2000s, Acura underwent a series of redesigns that breathed new life into the brand. The re-imagined RL, built on the old Legend platform, emerged as a major competitor to similar Lincoln and Cadillac vehicles; meanwhile, Acura released the MDX SUV to capture the growing sport-utility market. The old-favorite Integra received a redesign as well, emerging as the faster, more efficient RSX coupe.
Today, consumer tastes continue to change thanks to rising gas prices and shifting styles. Responding forcefully to the disruptions of the late 2000s, Acura has significantly increase the fuel efficiency of its engines and improved its designs, creating the ZDX in its California design studios and releasing the RDX crossover. Despite numerous new entrants into the luxury market, Acura has continued to increase its market share and has emerged stronger than ever going into its fourth decade of existence.