Who Makes Acura?

If you’re considering a certified pre-owned or new Acura as your next vehicle in San Carlos, you may be curious to know who makes Acura before you commit. Many luxury brands are owned and made by larger brands, and you’ve likely heard that Acura is affiliated with Honda. So, does Honda make Acura? The answer is yes — Acura is the luxury division of Japanese automaker Honda. Read the guide below from Hopkins Acura to learn more about who owns Acura currently, and where popular models like the Acura MDX and ILX are built.

Who Owns Acura?

As the parent company who owns Acura, it’s Honda Motor Company who makes Acura cars as well. Below, we’ve compiled a timeline of Acura history so that you can see clearly how all the pieces fit together:

In 1981, Honda was in the early stages of development for a luxury sedan. Honda executives decided that the smart move would be to create a new brand to act as the luxury arm of Honda, catering to drivers looking for an upscale experience. The Acura brand debuted in 1984. Just two years later, there were almost 60 Acura dealerships. Five years on, the sale of more than 50,000 vehicles allowed Acura to open 150 more dealerships.

Japan’s first luxury auto division was such a success that other brands began to follow suit with luxury divisions of their own — Toyota with Lexus, Nissan with INFINITI, and many more. Today, Acura has grown and evolved its own unique identity apart from Honda. The brand has spearheaded its fair share of paradigm shifts, including the first car to be made using aluminum — the innovative 90s-era Acura NSX. Acura designers and executives continue to work hard, taking automotive technology into the future and moving the industry forward.

Where Are Acura Vehicles Made?

It may be a Japanese company who makes Acura, but most Acura vehicles are not actually produced in Japan! The majority — including the ILX, TLX, RDX, and MDX — are manufactured in North America. Acura manufacturing is rooted in Ohio, and the brand operates plants in East Liberty, Anna, and Russells Point, Ohio. So, where are Acura vehicles made, specifically? Here’s the breakdown for some popular models:

• Marysville, OH — This plant manufactures the Acura ILXandAcura TLXsedans, as well as the Acura NSX supercar.
• East Liberty, OH — This plant manufactures theAcura RDXand Acura MDX SUVs. 
• Anna, OH — This plant builds engines and drivetrain components for most Acura models.
• Russel Point, OH — This plant builds transmissions and drivetrain components, including four-wheel drive systems.

Explore the Acura Lineup in Redwood City 

Curious about the production of Acura vehicles? Our experienced team is happy to provide detailed specs, help you with your Acura key fob battery replacement, and answer other tech-related questions. Contact us to set up a test drive or stop by our dealership at 1D Bair Island Road Redwood City, CA 94063, just a short drive from Belmont and Sunnyvale!