SHINY AND NEW
Acura begins production of redesigned MDX SUV in East Liberty plant
Acura’s redesigned MDX SUV, which began rolling off the assembly line in East Liberty on Tuesday, is more than just a new car as far the automaker is concerned.
Honda intends for the new 2022 MDX to serve as the flagship of its luxury brand, a vehicle that will make a statement when others see it for the first time.
“Early on, we coined the term ‘valet credibility,’ “said Tom Nguyen, the Acura MDX global development leader.
“This is a car that you’re not embarrassed in any way to pull up and have valet parking at your restaurant. It’s clearly the premium product. That’s communicated at first by the exterior proportion and styling.”
The SUV’S new chassis also provides improved handling and makes for a more comfortable ride, he said.
The interior has new technology, new premium materials and more standard features such as a larger center display, Amazon’s Alexa and internet, Nguyen added.
The new model, the first redesign since 2015, has more legroom and headroom for those seating in the third row while still providing enough space for a stroller or a bag of golf clubs in the rear. It can seat seven.
Nguyen said Acura workers talked with current MDX drivers as well as those who own competitive products to see what they liked as they began to design the vehicle.
The vehicle starts at around $46,000. It should start showing up in dealer showrooms Feb. 2.
Total sales for the MDX for all generations have topped 1 million vehicles, with sales of more than 50,000 in many years. Acura says the MDX has been the best-selling, three-row luxury SUV all time.
Last year, Acura sold 47,816 of the vehicles last year, down from 52,019 in 2019.
MDX sales make up about a third of Acura’s total sales, said Stephanie Brinley, principal analyst for IHS Markit, who has yet to the drive the new model.
“The design looks more dynamic, the
interior promises to be more refined,” she said.
She said one of the knocks with Acura is that its interior refinements are not always thought to be on par with other luxury brands. Still, the MDX has done well, competing against the Lincoln Aviator, GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and others, she said.
“It’s significant for the Acura brands. It’s significant for the segment,” she said.
Like all new Acura Models, the MDX is built in Ohio.
Workers at the engine plant in Anna are making the 3.5-liter, V6 engine for the new MDX and the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 that will power the Type S high performance variant set to arrive this summer.
The East Liberty plant is producing the SUV. The 2,900 workers there also make the Acura RDX and the Honda CR-V.
Bill Ramsey, the Acura MDX engineering project leader, said the vehicle is being built on a new, light-truck platform.
“All the parts will be fit much better if you have a good, firm foundation,” he said.
Rolling out the new model has come at a tough time because of the coronavirus, said Jun Jayaraman, East Liberty auto plant general manager.
After several years of work, associates are now seeing the payoff, he said.
“A lot of times you don’t see the full, put-together vehicle ... until you get in the later parts of the maturation process,” he said.
“When you first see the first one come down with the paint shiny as can be, all the right parts on it, it’s really, really exciting,” he said. “You see (the workers) stop (and say) ‘Oh my God, that looks awesome.’ “mawilliams@dispatch.com @Bizmarkwilliams