Acura TLX Launch Delayed Until Later This Summer

by Cameron Aubernon

April 23rd, 2014 9:15 AM

acura tlx launch delayed until later this summer

Acura fans hoping to ditch their TL or TSX for an all-new 2015 TLX in time for the start of the summertime driving season will have to make do until sometime later this summer, as the automaker has delayed the launch of its newest sedan.

Autoblog reports the reasoning behind delaying both press and customer launches of the TLX — which made its production-ready debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show last week — is due to its various technology needing more work, as explained by an email sent to all Acura dealers:

The TLX has more advanced and customer-relevant technology than on any other Acura model in our history, and we must assure that all systems are ready for mass production. Further, it is critical that we have a stable and sustainable supply of vehicles and components to support the strong customer response that we expect for this all-new Acura sedan.

To achieve these goals, we have determined that it is necessary to modify the production schedule for the 2015 TLX, which will move the on-sale date to late summer.

Spokesperson Chuck Schifsky added the automaker doesn’t view the delays as “major,” but has opted not to bring the TLX to the showroom for sale “until it’s perfect.”

#Acura #Delays #NewYork2014 #ProductLaunches #TLX

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13 of 17 comments

Danio3834 on Apr 23, 2014

I wonder if it has anything to do with the ZF 9HP transmission that has delayed other vehicles in the past.

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- Mjz on Apr 23, 2014
  
  That's a good bet. Chrysler certainly had teething problems with it on the Cherokee. The 200 launch with the 9-speed seems to be going MUCH smoother. Seems to be a learning curve involved that Acura has just discovered. The length of the delay indicates it my be the same issue as the Cherokee encountered.
  
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- Fred on Apr 23, 2014
  
  I see there are some 10,000 TSX and TL cars in stock. I'm sure dealers would like as many of those sold before the TLX arrives.
  
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- Ant on Apr 23, 2014
  
  I read somewhere that it was the DCT tranny that's hooked up to the 4 cylinder that was causing the problem. But wouldn't surprise me to hear that it's both transmissions. I will not even consider this car (current TSX owner) because it is not being offered with a tried and true manual that has already been developed by Honda. Honda is also having problems with the all new DCT transmission found in the new Fit hybrid sold in Japan. I'm leery of all this new tech, DI included.
  
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- Ldl20 on Apr 23, 2014
  
  @Fred Well, if the salesperson I worked with in northern NJ yesterday is to be believed, his store will no longer be receiving any TSXs. In fact, I was thinking of leasing one, and he told me that the "last remaining TSX" he would receive was already in the showroom (White w/ black interior). Probably BS. Very nice car, but it left me with no room in the back for my growing kids (I'm 6'3"), so it may be an EX-L Accord instead (very, very nice, much better than I expected). As it stands, I'm not sure about the ILX, and I'm not sure why Acura couldn't have just updated the TSX and not gone down market with a gussied-up Civic.
  
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- Poltergeist on Apr 23, 2014
  
  @ant I'm also a satisfied TSX owner and couldn't agree more.
  
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- Fred on Apr 23, 2014
  
  @ldl20 The Sport Wagon I bought was the last TSX that dealer had. The other local dealer had about 12 TSX sedans but no wagons. Both had some TLs
  
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Thornmark on Apr 23, 2014

The Maxima has relatively poor resale value compared w/ the Acura so she made a financially astute decision. KBB finds the Acura a better car, but since the Maxima depreciates quickly, it might seem like a bargain: http://www.kbb.com/acura/tl/2009-acura-tl/sedan-4d-expert_car_reviews/?condition=excellent&vehicleid=348823&intent=buy-used&mileage=60000&pricetype=private-party&persistedcondition=excellent http://www.kbb.com/nissan/maxima/2009-nissan-maxima/s-sedan-4d-expert_car_reviews/?condition=excellent&vehicleid=226951&intent=buy-used&mileage=60000&pricetype=private-party&persistedcondition=excellent

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- Brian E on Apr 23, 2014
  
  New Maximas are going for 8-10k under MSRP around here. I suspect they hold their value pretty well when compared to actual transaction prices.
  
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- Bd2 on Apr 23, 2014
  
  @Brian E That's what many overlook when it comes to residual value which is based off of MSRP instead of ATP. While the TLX should do better than the ILX and RLX for its respective segment, it really needed more striking sheetmetal to really get Acura sedan sales going.
  
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Daviel on Apr 24, 2014

Too much nose overhang.

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- Corey Lewis on Apr 24, 2014
  
  They are in competition with Audi for an award.
  
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Ok2k on Jun 01, 2014

Why am I scared this same email template will be recycled for the NSX release...

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