At the end of this model year (2006), Acura will be nixing the RSX coupe. A senior VP of operations, John Mendel, said Acura is seeking other options to replace the RSX, with hints at the TSX (coupe version) being offered. The M.O. behind this axing is Acura is seeking to continue its upscale momentum and separate itself from its sibling auto make, Honda.

"The Acura brand has been inconsistent," Mendel said during a recent interview. "We want to be performance, luxury and technology -- in the BMW area a little bit." With the base RSX being priced around $21K, it shares the same 2.0 liter that is inside the Civic Si as well as a nearly equal price tag. Market overlap, anyone? The decision to drop seems to be a wise one, considering the brand strength of Acura relies on prestige and luxury. To have a similarly priced coupe in a sister brand can be detrimental to the both brands' sales figures.

Rob Mohr, a 20 year-experienced sales manager, doesn't see the drop in the same light as the Corporate leadership team. "It's a mistake. The RSX is a great first car for Acura. We had our chance at the luxury market and blew it. Now we're going to lose a lot of the RSX customers, and I'm not so sure we can get them back."

It's tough to tell how this will affect Acura in the long run, but will the divorce from Honda come about entirely? If it does, how will it affect Honda sales as a result of Acura moving onward and upward? It seems like a good idea, but we all know how some ideas look great on paper and flounder upon execution.