February 1984 - American Honda Motor Company confirms it is establishing a new luxury/performance division in the United States as an alternative to the European imports that traditionally dominate this market segment. Its working title is "Channel II".
September 1984 - The official name of the new division is announced: Acura.
November 1984 - Honda dealers gather for an exclusive meeting in Dallas to learn about the impending Acura Automobile Division, where they see mock-up models of the first two vehicles to be sold. The selection criteria for Acura dealers are revealed.
February 1985 - The Acura dealership application process begins.
March 27, 1986 - The Acura Automobile Division begins operation as 60 new dealers in 18 states open their doors to the public. It is the first Japanese luxury brand in the United States. Two model lines are available: the Integra 3-door and 5-door sports sedans, and the Legend luxury-touring sedan.
1986 - Acura sales total 52,869 units, with 150 dealerships serving the top 50 metropolitan markets in 36 states.
1987 - American Honda President Tetsuo Chino steps down, and is replaced by Yoshihide Munekuni.
1987 - Integra is named to Car and Driver's "10Best Cars."
1987 - Toyota Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. announce plans to establish new divisions to compete in the luxury/performance market segment.
Spring, 1987 - The Legend coupe debuts. With a standard 161-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 engine and independent double-wishbone suspension, the car goes on to win Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year award. The Integra is the runner-up. The Legend is also the first Acura product with air bags.
June 1987 - Acura sales pass the 100,000 mark.
August 1987 - Acura places first in the annual J.D. Power and Associates Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) Survey, an unprecedented finish for a nameplate in its first year. The Acura dealer service score was the highest ever recorded in the history of the survey.
October 1987 - Acura dealer body reaches 200.
November 1987 - Acura Integra wins IMSA International Sedan series Manufacturer's Championship. Parker Johnstone wins Drivers' Championship in Comptech-prepared Integra.
December 1987 - Acura sales reach 109,470 units, making Acura the number-one import luxury nameplate in the United States, surpassing all European luxury/performance competitors. Road & Track names both the Legend Sedan and Coupe to its "10Best Cars Based on Value" list and the Legend Coupe to its "10Best Cars in the World" list.
January 1988 - Car and Driver names the Legend Coupe and Integra sports sedan to its "10Best" list.
August 1988 - Acura ranks first for second consecutive year in J.D. Power and Associates CSI Survey.
November 1988 - Acura and Parker Johnstone win second consecutive IMSA International Sedan series Manufacturers' Championship.
December 1988 - Dealer network reaches 285 dealers.
December 1988 - Legend is the best selling luxury import model in the United States.
1989 - Comptech wins the 1989 IMSA Sedan Driver's Championship.
1989 - Motor Trend names the Legend Coupe to its Top 10 Import Cars list.
1989 - President Munekuni steps down, and is replaced by Koichi Amemiya.
January 1989 - Car and Driver names the Legend Coupe to its "10Best" list for the second year in a row.
February 1989 - Acura unveils the NS-X at the Chicago Auto Show. The high-performance, mid-engine "New Sportscar-eXperimental" is the first supercar from Japan.
May 1989 - The second-generation Integra 3-door and 4-door sport sedans are introduced as 1990 models.
June 1989 - A select group of American automotive journalists are invited to Japan to test drive prototypes of the exotic new NSX, more than a year before its scheduled sale date. The exclusive trip is so far in advance; engine specifications have not been finalized.
August 1989 - Acura ranks first for the third consecutive year in J.D. Powers and Associates CSI Survey.
December 1989 - Legend is the best-selling luxury import model in the U.S. for the second consecutive year.
1990 - Comptech-prepared Integra's win the 1990 IMSA Sedan Driver's Championship.
August 1990 - NSX goes on sale. It is the first production car with an all-aluminum chassis and body, variable valve timing and lift and titanium connecting rods. At $65,000, the NSX is the most expensive Japanese car in history.
August 1990 - Acura badge introduced on 1991 model-year cars. Originally designed as calipers, founder Soichiro Honda modifies the badge with crossbar to form an "A."
August 1990 - Acura ranks first for the fourth consecutive year in J.D. Powers and Associates CSI Survey.
November 1990 - In its first year, NSX garners an impressive list of accolades, including Motor Trend's "Top Ten Performance Cars," Road & Track's "Ten Best Cars in the World," Popular Science's "Best of What's New," and Popular Mechanics' "Design and Engineering Award,"
December 1990 - Legend is the best-selling luxury import model in the U.S. for the third consecutive year.
January 1991 - Car and Driver names Integra to its "10Best" list.
1991 - Motor Trend names NSX "the best sports car ever built."
1991 - Parker Johnstone drives the Comptech Racing Acura-Spice GTP-Lights race car, powered by a modified NSX engine, to the Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championships in the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Camel GTP Lights series.
August 1991 - Acura ranks first in J.D. Powers and Associates Vehicle Performance Index and Vehicle Dependability Index surveys.
November 1991 - Automobile awards NSX "Automobile of the Year" and "Design of the Year."
December 1991 - Legend is the best-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. for the fourth consecutive year.
December 1991 - Acura Division sets an all-time sales record of 143,708 units.
January 1992 - Car and Driver names Integra to its "10Best" list.
1992 - Parker Johnstone wins his second Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championship in the IMSA.
1992 - The Vigor sports sedan debuts. Available in GS and LS models with a 2.5-liter inline 5- cylinder engine, the Vigor is priced between the Integra and the Legend to complete the Acura lineup.
August 1992 - Legend tops J.D. Powers and Associates Best Model Vehicle Performance Index survey. Acura is recognized in JDPA's Best Overall Car Line Vehicle Performance Index.
December 1992 - Legend is the best-selling luxury nameplate in the U.S. for the fifth consecutive year.
January 1993 - Car and Driver names Integra to its "10Best" list.
1993 - Parker Johnstone wins his third consecutive Manufacturers' and Drivers' Championship, making him the most winning driver in IMSA history.
August 1993 - Acura tops J.D. Powers and Associates Best Overall Car Line Vehicle Performance Index for the second consecutive year.
December 1993 - Legend is the best-selling Luxury nameplate in the U.S. for the sixth consecutive year.
1994 - Acura sells its one-millionth vehicle in the United States.
January 1994 - Car and Driver names Integra to its "10Best" list.
1994 - United Press International names Integra GS-R Car of the Year.
1994 - The all-new TL debuts for the 2005 model year, replacing the Vigor. Available with a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder or 3.2-liter V-6, it signals Acura's conversion to alphanumeric model designations.
1995 - Car and Driver names Integra to its "10Best" list.
1995 - The SLX is the first sport utility vehicle offered in the United States by a luxury import nameplate.
1995 - The NSX-T features a removable roof panel, and is the first Acura to offer an optional Formula One-inspired Sequential SportShift™ automatic transmission.
February 1996 - The 3.5 RL replaces the Legend as Acura's flagship luxury sedan. With a 3.5-liter, SOHC V6 engine producing 210 horsepower and 224 lbs-ft of torque, sleek but bold exterior styling and pampering interior, RL sets the standard for luxury performance sedans.
March 1996 - Acura celebrates its 10th anniversary.
1996 - The Acura Division introduces the CL series, the first U.S.-designed, engineered and manufactured model offered by a luxury import nameplate.
1997 - NSX/NSX-T takes a giant step forward in performance with several major enhancements, most notably a larger, more powerful 3.2-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, producing 290 horsepower and 224 lb-ft torque.
Fall 1997 - The RL is the first production car with an in-dash satellite-linked navigation system. It uses a combination of the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, electro-gyros and sophisticated state-of-the-art software to map out the best route to a destination and to tell drivers their exact location at all times.
1998 - Richard Colliver, executive vice president of American Honda Motor Company, assumes responsibility for the Acura Division.
Fall 1998 - A redesigned TL goes on sale and quickly becomes a brisk seller.
1999 - TL is listed as a "Best Buy" in Consumer Digest and
Consumer Guide.
March 1999 - Acura releases the limited edition Alex Zanardi Edition NSX
as a tribute to the two-time CART open-wheel racing championship driver. Only
49 vehicles of this limited edition model are available, featuring a revised
suspension, exclusive Formula Red color and a curb weight 149 pounds lighter
than a standard NSX.
December 1999 - TL is the best-selling luxury sedan in its class.
January 2000 - Acura launches its first mid-size SUV, the U.S.-designed, developed and engineered MDX. MDX is the first luxury SUV to have standard third-row seating; independent front and rear climate control systems, Variable Torque Management four-wheel drive and have a ULEV (Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) rating. The vehicle is named North American Truck of the Year.
December 2000 - TL is the best selling luxury sedan in its class for the second year in a row.
2000 - The RL incorporates significant technical advances such as Vehicle Stability Assistance (VSA) and the application of a DVD database to the Acura Navigation system.
2000 - NSX receives a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) certification from the Air Resources Board, a testament to Acura's innovation and industry-leading technology.
March 2001 - Acura celebrates its 15th anniversary.
July 2001 - The RSX sports coupe debuts as a 2002 model year vehicle, replacing the Integra. The car features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which employs the i-VTEC® "intelligent" valve control system with new VTC (Variable Timing Control) for 160 horsepower. The RSX Type-S boasts 200 horsepower and an exclusive 6-speed manual transmission.
December 2001 - TL is the best-selling luxury sedan in its class for the third consecutive year. For 2002, a new 260-hp Type-S version is added.
December 2001 - Acura posts record year-end sales of 170,469, shattering the previous record set in 1991. The division also sets monthly sales records in 11 out of the 12 months during the 2001 calendar year.
January 2002 - Car and Driver names RSX to its "10Best" list.
January 2002 - Acura introduces the RD-X Concept SUV at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. The performance-oriented sporty SUV hints at a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) and a 6-speed, close-ratio clutchless manual transmission.
2002 - Acura sales reach 2 million units.
2002 - Detroit Free Press names RSX "Car of the Year."
2002 - MDX is the first luxuries SUV to receive NHTSA's quadruple five star safety rating. The new model also has the ULEV-II rating.
November 2002 - Automobile names MDX "Best Mid-Size SUV."
January 2003 - Car and Driver names RSX to its "10Best" list. RSX is also named to Ward's "10Best Engines."
January 2003 - The 3.2 CL Type-S receives a new close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission, along with a limited slip differential to provide additional performance and handling responsiveness.
Spring 2003 - The all-new TSX goes on sale as a 2004 model year car. With a 200-horsepower inline-4 engine, the sports sedan bridges the buyers' gap between RSX and TL, and is instantly hailed as a serious rival to Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
August 2003 - J.D. Powers and Associates rate RL the Most Dependable Midsize Luxury Car.
Fall 2003 - The all-new TL goes on sale, featuring a 270 hp engine, Bluetooth® cellphone integration, a DVD-Audio Surround System, solar sensing GPS-linked climate control, dual mode/dual zone climate control, bi-xenon headlights and an acoustic glass windshield as standard equipment.
January 2004 - TSX is named to Car and Driver's "10Best Cars."
April 2004 - Koichi Kondo is named Chief Executive Officer and President of American Honda.
August 2004 - J.D. Powers and Associates recognize TSX as Highest Ranked Entry Luxury Car in Initial Quality Survey.
October 2004 - The 2005 RSX Type-S receives a 210-hp engine, a minor exterior refreshing, a retuned suspension and improved steering and braking systems.
October 2004 - A nearly stock TL wins its class and finishes third overall in the super-endurance "25 Hours of Thunderhill" race at Thunderhill Park Raceway in Willows, CA.
November 2004 - The all-new RL goes on sale, featuring a 3.5-liter 300-horsepower V-6 mated to a 5-speed automatic with Sequential SportShift. It also features Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD™), the first North American application of a satellite-based real-time traffic information system, a HandsFreeLink™ wireless telephone interface and a Keyless Access System.
January 2005 - Acura announces that 2004 set an all-new record high for sales, totally 198,919 units for the calendar year. That is a 16-percent increase from total sales in 2003.
January 2005 - RL is named to Car and Driver's "10Best Cars."
January 2005 - RL is named to Ward's "10Best Engines."
January 2005 - Acura unveils the all-new RD-X Concept SUV at the North American International Auto Show. It combines the performance of a sports sedan with all-wheel drive capability with the functionality of a SUV. Built on an all-new platform, RD-X features Super Handling All-Wheel Drive and the next generation of the AcuraLink™ satellite communication system.
April 2005 - Tom Elliott, Executive Vice President of American Honda, retires; John Mendel is named Senior Vice President, Auto Operations.
July 2005 - Acura Division announces it will halt production of the NSX at the end of the 2005 calendar year, but also reveals plans for a replacement vehicle in an unspecified timeframe.
July 2005 - Honda Motor Company announces it will launch the Acura brand in China in early 2006 as a response to the country's growing desire for luxury vehicles.
August 2005 - Eric Curran wins his first World Challenge Touring Car race in the RealTime Acura RSX. College sophomore Brandon Davis clinches the Rookie of the Year award.
October 2005 - The 2006 RL offers an optional technology package featuring three innovative safety features: Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™); Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC); Michelin PAX Run-Flat Tires, which can run up to 125 miles at 55 mph with a puncture or leak.
January 2006 - TSX is named to Car and Driver's "10Best" list for the third time.
January 2006 - Acura unveils the RDX Prototype at the North American International Auto Show that hints strongly at the production model scheduled to go on sale in the summer. The vehicle features a 2.3-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive.
March 27, 2006 - Acura celebrates 20 years of excellence and innovation.