German Car Zone

Even though the writing's been on the wall, this does not make me any less angry or disappointed. Where has this once-revered, engineering-driven gone to? I'm all for "eco-consciousness" and all, but where's the joy in doing it? I want fun and efficiency rolled into one...I just don't see that happpening with Honda anymore.

I personally see Acura as the Lincoln of the japanese brands

^^ Gaaahhhh! So true. They pretty much have the same lack of message and limited vehicle range.

Acura is a Honda with different badge! It's not even near to it's regional rivals like Lexus & Infiniti! Move on Acura, reliability alone is not luxury!

It's now official: trend researches & analyses show sustainability is becoming a part of luxury / premium image.

But that's only a part of the image ... definitely not sufficient.

Acura? Out of strategy. With great AWD system they had a chance to build on being "best AWD premium brand" in US market, and eventually rivaling Audi as AWD leader in premium segment globally. But now AWD is offered by all premium brands - so Acura is nothing special anymore. Just like Audi's promotion based on quattro (AWD) isn't sufficient anymore. And like eg. MB can't bet on luxury alone, and BMW on sporty image anymore.

So, what can Honda / Acura do? First they have to decide whether to be US&China-only premium brand, or finally going global. Then Acura brand has to become more independent - like Lexus. Being just a rebadged Honda can be fatal in the long run - same case for the Infiniti / Nissan.

Also: luxury is being redefined ... we are again entering the "less is more" era. Perhaps that an oppurtunity for Acura. But I guess Acura is so strongly attached to Honda its completely depended on it - so repositioning of Honda brand will affect Acura repositioning as well. And we know where to Honda is heading now. So, expect Acura to be in the same waters as well. It can work if done quickly - but I'm afraid others will be faster.

In what way does losing RWD play less is more? Less entertaining is more profitable?

I guess they already sell much more AWD than RWD models. So, with no real sports car in the portfolio (coupe, roadster etc) what's the point offering RWD if your customers prefer AWD anyway.

As said many times: in 10 years ALL cars will be AWB - due to hybrid-electro nature. It will depend on software only how the torque will be distributed to the wheel (eg. rear-axle-biased etc).

Mind future hybrids / extended EV will come with at least 2 electro motors & 1 (3-cyl or 4-cyl in luury cases also 6-cyl & perhaps 8cyl max) FI ICE. Most likely diesel one.

So, each axle or even each whell will be driven independently.

Future cars (in the same segment) will be much more differentiated by software than the hardware. At least initially. Then I'm sure every carmaker will start to develop hardware as well to fit the brand character. But initially - when the tech is still young & fresh - hardware will be VERY similar. The main difference will be the software - therefore carmakers are investing HEAVILY in electro / hybrid system software R&D.

I'm looking forward - very eagerly - into hybrid / electro era: to see how the cards will be remixed. I'm sure the brands will very clear brand identity & image will have an advantage here - going based to the core values based on a new tech. Not sure how will some not-as-sharply-defined brands will deal with it. Since IMO the software operated hybrid / electro platforms offer almost endless opportunities. And brands with strong identity (and values) will know where to go, while others will be lost in endless sea of possibilities. Meaning: they will have to reposition themselves - which can end well or not. Since it's unclear how the existing customer base will react.

IMO there will be much more marketing gambling & uncertainty in the automotive future. Since the rivals won't know what the competition is doing: today it's much more uncovered due to info from hardware suppliers. But in the future software will be developed in-house - and therefore there will be less info on what the rivals are developing.

So, IMO marketing people will be much more aggressive than today - pushing best possible solutions to be offered initially. Or very early: eg already with the next MY - in the case newly launched rival product proves to be too competitive.

IMO software / firmware upgrades will become very frequent in the automotive world - not only for the in-car infotainment & navi systems but for the complete car platform.

But this will only be true for a period, when hybrids exists - then we will have efficient enough batteries for normal use. After that, it will be much simpler and cheaper to build 2WD (or 1WD)...

The solutions will, according to you, be the same, so car marketers will have to resort to the same tactics as those that market, for instance, dtergents. Same story, all products are essentially the same, the only thing that differentiates them is the color of the container. So, yes, as the product can't speak for itself, marketers will have to shout for them.
They are already very frequent, if you buy something from BMW AG

Well in Lincoln's defense, they do actually have a V8. Acura I believe (I could be wrong) is the only luxury automaker that does not have a V8 engine. Even Hyundai has a V8.

Matter of fact, other then Kia (which is owned by Hyundai) I think everyone has a V8. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.