Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda. The brand was launched by Honda in the United States and Canada on 27 March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and high-performance vehicles. Acura is the first Japanese automotive luxury brand. The creation of Acura coincided with the introduction of a JDM Honda dealership sales channel, called Honda Clio, which sold luxury vehicles, joining previously established Honda Verno, followed by Honda Primo the following year.