8/14/2019 USA Today Autoshow Wrap

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Honda Financial Services continues tobuild on its success as it develops evencloser ties with its dealer network,according to David W. Paul, recentlyappointed to Assistant Vice President ofField Operations and Sales.

The organization will unveil newproducts and services but will continueto count on the dedication of itsemployees to keep ahead of thefinancial services pack, Paul says.

Im impressed with many of thenew systems and products that HondaFinancial Services has introduced torespond to dealerships and to themarket, Paul says. But Ive been evenmore impressed with the passion thatour people have for Acura. They realizethat weve got a tremendous brand, andwe have to deliver service that matchesthe quality of our vehicles.

A co-founder of BMW Financial

Services after previously starting hiscareer at Chrysler, Paul joined HondaFinancial Services in April from ToyotaFinancial Services.

Ive been fortunate to work withsome strong brands over the years,

Paul says. I will work very hard tonurture and protect the Acura brandwith every dealership and customer.

Paul notes that Honda Financial Serviceshas made dramatic improvements inrecent years and is currently near the topof the list in National Automobile DealersAssociation surveys on competitivenessand satisfaction. He also mentionedseveral new programs that are beingconsideredsuch as providing financingon all used makes and modelsto provideeven more support to dealers.

Still, its the people of Honda FinancialServices that make the most difference,Paul maintains.

I was able to visit all nine regionaloffices shortly after joining theorganization, and I was really impressedwith the relationships they haddeveloped with their dealerships. Myrole is to build on that passion to ensure

our focus stays on dealerships and theircustomers. I want dealerships to knowthat they wont find a more proactivepartner than Honda Financial Servicesour interests are completely alignedwith theirs.

Building the futureContinued from Page 1

Acura in focus

Acura is supporting the launch of the all-newRL with a series of programs, events andsponsorships that will integrate with the nationaladvertising strategy.

To help promote the arrival of the RL and drivetraffic into the dealerships, a direct-mail piece willcommunicate the message that the all-new RL is anadvanced technological sedan that is much more thanmeets the eye. In an intriguing way, the piece willhighlight the innovative features that make the RL themost technologically advanced vehicle in the Acuraline, including several industry firsts. The target is thesuccessful, independent-thinking 45 -50-year-oldmale with a household income of $150K who makespurchase decisions based on performance rather thanimage. The piece will be mailed to approximately90,000 Acura owners, 23,000 defectors and 85,000in-market conquests.

We will be celebrating the launch of the RL with adealer event. By now, you should have signed up forlaunch-party kits and selected which day during theweek of November 8-12 works best for you. You alsoshould have received your invitations. This year, thekits include materials to help support your launchparty, as well as create excitement and awarenessfor the arrival of the RL. Youll also receive bannersand counter cards that you can keep on display afterthe event. If you have any questions, feel free to callRL Launch Party Headquarters at (310) 633-6990.

As an extension of the RL advertising, we will alsoconnect with our target market through alternativemarketing channels. A series of events/sponsorships,similar to those created for the TL launch, has beenassembled for the RL. Our objectives are to selectexclusive properties with a technology and/or highdesign content reflective ofthe RL, and to intercept ourtarget in a pressure-free environment where we canencourage interaction with the RL and demonstrate itsinnovative technical features. Sponsorship details willbe provided before the start date.

Good luck with your launch party. We join you inlooking forward to a successful 2005 RL launch.

Growingsupportfor launch

of flagshipAcura RL

Acura gearsup for 2004SEMA Show

The eBusiness Division hasproduced a broad base of Internettools designed to help Acuradealers maximize success in allareas of their dealerships. Althougheach of these tools is powerful,together they form the foundationof a best-in-class Internet presence.From Dealer Web sites and LeadManager to Owner Link and eStore,Acura dealers can now takeadvantage of the most powerfulsuite of Internet services in theautomotive industry. Model Year2005 promises to be a landmark

year for these initiatives, with newclient-focused technologies.

The personal touch Owner Linkexpands services

Service Scheduling and ExpressCheckout

Acura clients can now use theirOwner Link accounts to scheduledealer service appointments, createservice preferences profiles, obtainvehicle status updates and pay forservice. Owner Links new ServiceScheduling and Express Checkoutenables eStore-certified dealers toreduce a time-consuming circle of

phone calls and streamline theservice transaction. Learn more aboutService Scheduling through iNsOnline University or simply completeservice appointment setup atiN>Service>Service Appointments.

Seasonal offers highlight eStoresaccessories

Through Owner Links eStore,clients can purchase Genuine AcuraAccessories for their Acuras fromtheir dealer online. To encourageclients to shop at eStore, Acurais sending quarterly SeasonalAccessories promotions via e-mailand postal mail to all Owner Linkaccounts. Be sure to refer to thepromotions calendar and set upcomplimentary Owner Link offersthrough iNs Dealer Relationship Tool(DRT). See iN for details.

Get an e-ducation with Web-Based Training

Dealers needing a quick and easyway to get ready do business 24/7 canfind all-new Web Based Training(WBT) on i Ns Online University.These WBT sessions include completetutorials for using Owner Link, DRT,eStore, Service Scheduling andExpress Checkout.

Advantage iNThe new iN 3.0 provides a more

dealer-focused environment. Dealerscan take full advantage of iN,incorporating its tools into their daily

business processes. For example,with the Customer InformationCenter (CIC) installed on any PC intheir showrooms, dealers can easilyadd the CIC to their sales process.Dealers can also obtain AHMcorporate discounts from suchsuppliers as FedEx, Dell, IBM and HPat iNs eMall, and stay up-to-datewith News Flashes from their DistrictSales, Parts and Service Managers.

Support your business 24/7with new, client-focused Internetinitiatives that personalize service inour high-tech world.

eBusiness Division providesinnovative Internet tools

As Acura unveiled its RL Prototypeluxury performance sedan at theNew York International Auto Showon April 7, acura.com debuted its RLPrototype minisite to an equallyenthusiastic audience.

Less than a month after its launch,nearly 130,000 visitors had called upmore than 1.7 million pages on thesite, including a rich gallery of images,vehicle specs, technology overviewsand videos. To date, nearly 4.2 millionpages have been viewed by nearly300,000 users.

The RL Prototype minisitetranslates Acuras high-performancefocus online, featuring live-motion

footage of the vehicles revolutionaryall-wheel-drive system and real-timetraffic capability. In addition, visitorshave the option to sign up fore-mail updates and view vehiclemeasurements, as well as readabout the latest safety andtechnology enhancements.

Slated for release this September, the2005 RL minisite will profile the actualproduction vehicle, giving users thechance to interact with the car theycan test-drive at the showroom. In themeantime, however, the RL prototype

minisite is generating the kind of buzzand anticipation deserved by thisbreakthrough Acura model.

RL minisite interactsthrough Internet

iN Acura home page.

The 2004 Acura display at SEMA will featureseveral showstopping modified vehicles.

The new RL dire ct-m ail piec e goes out toconsumers October 18.

Securing its position as a leaderin luxury performance, Acura isintroducing Super Handling All-WheelDrive (SH-AWD), a revolutionaryall-wheel-drive system, on its premium2005 RL Sedan. A groundbreakinginnovation, SH-AWD will incorporate allthe safety aspects of a typical all-wheel-drive system, but will be the worldsfirst dedicated to actively enhance dry-weather handling and performance.

Contrary to popular belief, all-wheel-drive vehicles do not always improve

dry-weather performance. In fact, someall-wheel-drive vehicles trail their two-wheel-drive counterparts in severalperformance aspects (cornering,acceleration). This is because in additionto the increased weight of the all-wheel-drive system, intervention only

occurs when the wheels begin to slip,e.g., when driving on wet or slipperyroads. Thus, many manufacturerspromote their all-wheel-drive systemsas a safety enhancement only forinclement road conditions.

By contrast, while SH-AWD does helpstabilize the vehicle during wet-weatherconditions, dry-weather performance isalso dramatically improved through thesystems ability to actively overdrive anouter rear wheel when turning. Thisaction causes a steering effect on therear end of the car, making SH-AWD thefirst all-wheel-drive system in the worldto have this capability.

To better understand how SH-AWDworks, think of a rowboat. Paddlingfaster on one side of the boat willcause it to steer in the other direction.For example, paddling faster on theright side causes the boat to turn left.The same thing occurs when paddlingfaster on the leftthe boat inherentlyturns right. SH-AWD follows thisgeneral principle.

Accordingly, when making a left turnin the 2005 RL, SH-AWD accelerates theright rear wheel to assist in turning thevehicle left. When turning right, the leftrear wheel is accelerated in the samemanner, helping turn the car right. Theend result: SH-AWD allows the Acura RL(and its driver) to experience corneringability unlike any car in its class, while

providing incredibly neutral handlingduring normal driving.

SH-AWD monitors the driversinputs and driving conditions todetermine how much power to sendto the front and rear axles, distributingup to 70% of the engines torque frontor rear through a sophisticated torque-transfer system.

The difference between SH-AWD andother all-wheel-drive systems is thatrear torque can be distributed up to100% between the left and right wheels.The selected wheel is then acceleratedbeyond its normal rotation to cause therear of the car to rotate, providing muchsharper turn in response than is possibleon a typical all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive setup. Understeer isvirtually eliminated.

In addition to providing unparalleledcornering ability, SH-AWD alsoprovides improved performanceduring acceleration and decelerationby varying torque distribution to thefront and rear axles. Paired with thenew 300-hp, 3.5-liter VTEC V-6engine and carbon-fiber-reinforceddriveshaft, the 2005 RL provides anexhilarating driving experience.

The Acura SH-AWD system is arevolutionary achievement that trulysets the RL apart from its competitors,while setting new standards for all-wheel-drive systems. Drivers nolonger have to sacrifice safety orperformance for the other; SH-AWDcombines the best of both worldswithout the traditional compromisesof current drive systems.

Acura introduces the worlds most

advanced all-wheel-drive system

drive system, an integrated print,newspaper and outdoor campaignwill complement the Yellow Line TVspot. An additional print executionwill highlight the RLs luxurious andtechnological amenities as well as itsnew traffic-monitoring navigationsystem. Print ads for the RL will beginappearing in November issues ofForbes, Fortune, Cond Nast Travelerand Wine Spectator, which will be onnewsstands mid-October. A :60 RLradio commercial will run in Tier 1and 2 markets and special :10 and :15

announcements highlighting theRLs traffic monitoring feature willlead into morning and afternoontraffic reports. The RL will alsosponsor weather and trafficchannels on XM Satellite Radiowith :15 announcements.

Acura will also support the TL,RSX, TSX and MDX with newspread and page print advertising toprovide year-round presence for thebrand. TL, and MDX will also besupported with :10 announcementson NPR.

All-ne w SH -AWD: road-r ippin gtechnology.

SH-AWD system overview.

Building on the performance image that theautomaker has created through exciting new high-performance automobiles, Acura is gearing up for the2004 SEMA show which will be held at the Las VegasConvention Center, November 2-5. Attracting nearly100,000 industry leaders from around the world, theannual SEMA show is the premier automotivespecialty tradeshow, featuring thousands of O.E. andaftermarket accessories and hundreds of highlymodified vehicles.

Last year at SEMA, Acura successfully launched the2004 TL High-Performance A-Spec kit and featureda TSX A-Spec prototype. This year Acura willshowcase several exciting vehicles, including a 2005RL fitted with a prototype A-Spec package.

In addition to the A-Spec RL prototype, Acuramodels will be featured by several import tunersand racing companies at SEMA. Dubbed the tunerscene guru, car-builder and wheel-designer RJDeVera will put his mark on a 2004 TL to be shownexclusively at the Acura booth. The DeVera TL willfeature a combination of Acura A-Spec andaftermarket parts, including a supercharger, customsuede interior and rear entertainment system.

Attendees can expect to see two uniquely

customized TSX vehicles by the international tunercompany Mugen and the championship-winningRealTime Racing team. The Mugen TSX will feature aracing-inspired interior, titanium dual exhaust and aKMS engine kit, while the RealTime Racing TSX willbe fresh from the track following a highly successfullyracing season.

Numerous additional modified Acura vehicles,including the RSX and NSX, will be on displaythroughout the massive show. With the debut of theall-new RL, as well as other exclusive project vehicles,the Acura presence will be stronger than ever at the2004 SEMA show.

The RL with the first-ever satellite-based traffic-monitoring service.