The Japanese Brand We Don't Consider (But Should!)

Issue 104

Hello!

19 drivers have won one race or more in this season of the Nascar Cup Series, ranking it amongst the highest and most varied in history.

With such variety, this article raises an interesting question, and we'd love to hear your answer. 

Market News

Although the Chevy Camaro might be discontinued, you can still buy a brand new Z71. Here's how. 

In the most elite car battle in history, Rimac and Porsche duke it out over Bugatti. 

How much do hybrids actually depreciate? Check out this valuable info. 

Canada initiates a formal dispute over tariffs with this organization. 

Volkswagen is holding cars at docks after tariffs. 

Here's what a Ford executive said about the company's position regarding tariffs. 

These two American pickups are shielded from tariffs, which can be critical for the market. 

Subaru and Mazda break this sales record, signaling good times for the Japanese automakers. 

Tesla quietly removed a feature for its Cybertruck, and nobody knows why. 

Safety and Recalls

Ford has had a challenging year so far. Now, it has recalled 103,000 over different issues. 

Nissan has recalled 37,000 cars over a non-serious and extremely specific issue. 

Car Culture

This 1920s car had less drag than a Porsche 911.

This historic Ford GT is going to break some records. 

This mechanic gives you eight cars to buy used. Do you agree?

Did you know that the first mass-produced all-aluminum engine block was American? Here is its fascinating history. 

Hyundai promises to keep this feature in future cars, and this news makes us happy. 

Here's a new, unofficial concept for the C9 Corvette. Do you like it?

Hot Wheels is launching a new Ferrari collection, and here's why it's important. 

Jeep released two new colors for the Wrangler, and we can't tell whether we love them or not. What do you think? 

Video of the week

What happens when one man adapts a Japanese minitruck to drive on abandoned railways across America? It's a fantastic journey.

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IN THE KNOW

The Japanese Car Brand Nobody Is Talking About (But Should)

The name might not echo much of America's storied automotive history. Still, its cars have some of the highest percentages of American parts.

That's not the only reason why we should pay attention. On that note, you can check out this chart if you want to explore which brands and models have the most US-based components.

Oh, yes, there are some surprises. 

We're talking about Acura, Honda's premium division and a sleeper in the American market for years if not decades.

The Japanese brand has produced some iconic cars, including the Integra and the NSX, which are so coveted that they command high prices. Here's what they're commanding in the used car market. 

Acura has had an excellent recipe since its start. Most, if not all, of its models, had just enough luxury to feel a step above the rest, and they also had enough performance to boast.

Often, Acura vehicles have excellent reviews when it comes to handling and acceleration. 

That's why, when Honda releases a new car, most of the reviews focus on how much Acura DNA it has. This has happened since the 1990s and continues today, even with Honda's new Prelude. 

A quick side note: my family had a 1991 Honda Prelude, one of the coolest cars we've owned. Fortunately, Honda hit it out of the park with the latest version. 

Of course, Acura is not perfect. There's always something to sacrifice. I wouldn't rely on the brand for interior cargo capacity or legroom, especially in third-row SUVs. 

However, it offers something for everyone.

It may come as a surprise to many, but all of its models—the Integra, MDX, RDX, TLX, and ZDX—average 80% American components. 

Not only that, but it can boast about safety, with several models achieving top safety scores in the 2025 IIHS tests. Here's more on that. 

Interestingly, the brand is also adjusting to the swinging tides. Many automakers were embracing electrification a couple of years ago, but that has changed recently. So Acura, like many automakers, walked back on its goals to electrify its entire fleet. 

That's not to say that Acura doesn't offer a solid EV option. In its case, the total opposite happens. If you suffer from range anxiety (as I would), then this Acura option is the car for you. 

The good thing is that Acura also worked on other options. As a result, the automaker gave us one of its better offerings, which has an internal combustion engine.

The Acura ADX took the world by storm as soon as it came out not long ago. It's got enough of everything you want, and it doesn't skimp out on what you need. (Plus, it has buttons, not a touchscreen!)

The ADX is a hit because it's an excellent option and shows the company's ability to adjust to the changing American car market.

To us, that will add value in the coming months and years. The more a company is able to grasp this evolving market, the better for it and us. 

We had written about the company's quick-changing mindset. If you want to learn more about it, you can read our article. 

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