| Finally the new $15 million Acura Design Studio has | | | | Studio in Torrance, California and the Advanced |
| officially opened its doors. And according to Acura | | | | Design Studio in Pasadena, California further broaden |
| the producer of top-of-the-line Acura oxygen sensor | | | | the existing HRA's in Los Angeles Center for research |
| the new Design Studio will assume an important role | | | | and design. |
| in the development of new concepts and designs for | | | | A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Acura |
| future Acura products. The new studio is equipped | | | | Design Studio last march 27, 2006. At the same time |
| with the latest design technologies and a work layout | | | | it marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of the |
| that focuses on improving collaboration. This new | | | | Acura brand. Acura was the first Japanese luxury |
| design studio will also represent the next step in the | | | | nameplate and very first Japanese luxury automaker |
| advancement of the Acura brand. | | | | to develop, designs, and manufacture vehicles in |
| The studio is design to achieve a high level of energy | | | | North America. Likewise, almost two-thirds of the all |
| efficiency and expected to become a Leadership in | | | | Acura vehicles are sold in America are developed, |
| Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building by | | | | designed, researched, and assembled exclusively in |
| the US Green Building Council or USGBC. There were | | | | North America. |
| various measures adopted for the design and | | | | In an effort to achieve a Gold rating by the USGBC, |
| construction of the studio with the aim of achieving | | | | the Acura Design Studio has included many |
| LEED gold certification. | | | | energy-saving attributes like for example the Energy |
| There were already a couple of Acura models which | | | | Star reflective roof to reduce heat gain and lower air |
| include the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and | | | | conditioning requirements, reclaimed water used for |
| Acura TL luxury performance sedan that have been | | | | landscaping, and an intelligent lightning system that |
| designed, engineered, and developed by the HRA. | | | | makes greater use of natural light. Honda has other |
| Transferring Acura design activities into a | | | | LEED gold certified facilities found in Gresham, |
| state-of-the-art independent studio gives it a more | | | | Oregon, and Raymond, Ohio. |
| defined focus that distinctly characterized the Acura | | | | The HRA has started its operations in California way |
| brand. | | | | back 1976 with local market research activities and |
| The key technologies in the Acura Design Studio | | | | from then on has steadily grown its capabilities for |
| include a computer generated virtual simulator that | | | | over the past 30 years of which include all aspects |
| allows design stylists to showcase virtual vehicles in a | | | | of new vehicle design and development. |
| one-to0one ratio. The other features in the facility | | | | And with the addition of the Acura Design Studio, the |
| design includes the parallel arrangement of the interior | | | | company will now operates 13 major R&D facilities in |
| and the exterior design areas on the styling floor | | | | North America with more than 1,200 designers, |
| which enable designers to better collaborate with | | | | support personnel, and engineers that are engaged in |
| each other in producing a new vehicle. | | | | the development of automobiles, power equipment, |
| With the latest expansion of the HRA product design | | | | and motorcycles products not only for North |
| and development capabilities in North America, the | | | | American market but also for distribution worldwide. |
| Acura Design Studio together with Honda Design | | | | |