This isn’t the first time we’ve said Acura is in desperate need of exciting and, for that matter, competitive product. We’re not alone in our thinking and Acura has to realize the NSX alone isn’t good enough. And now it’s learning the hard way. The Truth About Cars did the math and discovered that Infiniti is set to take Acura’s place as America’s second-best-selling Japanese luxury brand this year. Lexus, of course, remains at number one.
Infiniti, to its full credit, achieved record US sales last year and is now experiencing a sales increase faster than any other car brand sold in the US, exception being "niche-market luxury contenders." All told, Infiniti achieved a 22 percent year-over-year sales increase, and new product, specifically the QX30 compact crossover, has played a huge role. Heck, it even outsold its direct Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz competition in February and March. Other key players in the Infiniti lineup, including the Q60 and Q70, have also made their contributions. Acura, however, is down seven percent so far this year in sales, while Infiniti is up by 19 percent.
Only the RDX and MDX crossovers can be credited with keeping Acura afloat. Furthermore, Acura doesn’t even offer competitors to the Infiniti QX30, QX70 and QX80. While Infiniti has consistently been adding new product done right, Acura depends on the aforementioned crossovers, as well as the upcoming facelifted 2018 TLX sedan. The previous generation Honda Civic-based Acura ILX and RLX large sedan are nearly irrelevant in their respective segments. In other words, Acura is being kept afloat with the RDX and MDX while Infiniti has done due diligence and is now beginning to reap the benefits.
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