Is Acura JDM? Here’s What You Need to Know!

As a car enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and the unique vehicles that are produced for this market.

One brand that has caught my attention over the years is Acura, which is the luxury vehicle division of Honda. However, the question that often comes up is whether Acura is considered a JDM brand.

After conducting some research and looking at various sources, the answer is no, Acura is not a JDM brand. While Acura was originally created by Honda in Japan, it does not produce or sell any vehicles within the Japanese Domestic Market.

Instead, Acura is focused on the North American market and is headquartered in Torrance, California.

Despite not being a JDM brand, Acura has still gained a reputation for producing high-quality luxury vehicles that are often compared to their JDM counterparts.

In this article, we will explore the history of Acura and its relationship to Honda, as well as the differences between JDM cars and Acura vehicles. So, let’s dive in and learn more about this fascinating topic.

Is Acura JDM?

Acura is a luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Honda. JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market, which refers to vehicles produced specifically for the Japanese market.

While Acura is a Japanese brand, Acura vehicles are considered JDM. Acura vehicles sold in North America, for example, are not JDM because they are produced specifically for the North American market.

Furthermore, some Acura models sold in North America may have JDM counterparts with different specifications, features, and designs.

For example, the Acura Integra, a popular sports coupe sold in North America, has a JDM version called the Honda Integra, which has different styling, engines, and transmissions.

READ ALSO: Is Subaru JDM? Explained for Car Enthusiasts

Why are the JDM versions of Acura vehicles called Hondas?

I’ve always been curious about why the JDM versions of Acura vehicles are called Hondas. The brand was created to become the US-focused luxury and performance division of Honda.

So, why are the JDM versions of Acura vehicles called Hondas? The answer is quite simple. In Japan, Acura vehicles are sold under the Honda brand name.

This is similar to the Toyota/Lexus relationship, where Lexus is the luxury brand of Toyota.

It’s important to note that while Acura was born out of Honda in Japan, Acura does not currently produce or sell any vehicles within the Japanese Domestic Market.

In conclusion, the JDM versions of Acura vehicles are called Hondas because they are sold under the Honda brand name in Japan. Acura is a luxury brand created by Honda and is the US-focused luxury and performance division of the company.

Is Acura considered Japanese?

Acura is a luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Honda. Although Acura is headquartered in Torrance, California (US), it was created by Honda to become the US-focused luxury and performance division of the company.

It is important to note that being a Japanese brand does not necessarily mean being a JDM brand. JDM refers specifically to vehicles that are built for the Japanese domestic market and are not intended for export.

Acura, on the other hand, is a brand that was created for the US market and is exported to other countries around the world.

So, while Acura is not a JDM brand, it is still a Japanese brand that offers luxury and performance vehicles to customers around the world.

READ NEXT: Is Lexus JDM? A Quick Guide to Understanding Lexus’ Japanese Roots

Are Acuras basically Hondas?

As an avid car enthusiast, I’ve often wondered if Acuras are just fancy Hondas with a different badges. After doing some research and speaking with experts in the industry, here’s what I found:

Firstly, it’s important to note that Acura is a luxury brand owned by Honda. So, while Acuras do share some similarities with Hondas, they are not simply rebranded versions of Honda models.

That being said, some Acura models share platforms and components with certain Honda models. For example, the Acura ILX shares its platform with the Honda Civic, while the Acura NSX shares some components with the Honda Accord.

However, Acura takes these shared components and adds their own unique touches to create a different driving experience.

Another key difference between Acuras and Hondas is the level of luxury features and technology. Acuras typically come with more advanced features, such as premium sound systems, heated and ventilated seats, and advanced safety features like blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning. These features are not always available on Honda models.

Overall, while Acuras do share some similarities with Hondas, they are not simply rebranded versions of Honda models.

Acura takes shared components and adds its own unique touches to create a different driving experience with more advanced luxury features and technology.

What cars are not JDM?

As I mentioned earlier, JDM stands for Japanese Domestic Market. This means that only cars that are made and sold in Japan fall under the JDM category. However, not all cars made by Japanese car manufacturers are considered JDM.

For example, Acura is a luxury vehicle division of Honda, but it is not considered a JDM brand. While Acura was born out of Honda in Japan, Acura does not currently produce or sell any vehicles within the Japanese Domestic Market.

Similarly, Toyota produces and sells cars under the brand name Lexus, which is also considered JDM (to some degree). Lexus is a luxury vehicle division of Toyota that is primarily marketed in North America, Europe, and other regions outside of Japan.

Another example is Nissan’s luxury vehicle division, Infiniti. Infiniti is a brand that is marketed primarily in North America, China, and the Middle East. While Infiniti vehicles are made by Nissan, they are not considered JDM.

In summary, cars that are not made and sold in Japan cannot be considered JDM, even if they are made by Japanese car manufacturers.

RELATED: Do Lexus and Toyota Share the Same Engine? (Surprising?)

Why Lexus is not popular in Europe?

As someone who has been following the automotive industry for a while, I can tell you that the reason why Lexus is not popular in Europe is multifaceted.

One of the main reasons is that they failed to build their brand equities in Europe. They have not been able to differentiate their own position in order to counter European brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes.

Another reason why Lexus is not popular in Europe is due to the fact that European consumers tend to prefer smaller, more fuel-efficient cars.

This is in contrast to the larger, more luxurious vehicles that Lexus is known for producing. Additionally, there is a certain level of brand loyalty in Europe when it comes to buying cars, and Lexus simply hasn’t been able to break into that market.

Furthermore, the decline in sedan sales around the world has also affected Lexus’ popularity in Europe. As SUVs and crossovers become more popular, sedans like the Lexus IS are being left behind. This is evident in the fact that the 2021 Lexus IS is not coming to Europe.

It’s important to note that Lexus has been successful in other markets, such as the United States and Japan.

However, their lack of success in Europe is a reminder that building a successful brand takes time, effort, and a deep understanding of the market you are trying to penetrate.