CHICAGO -

While rolling out the 2012 Acura TL this week at the Chicago Auto Show, the brand’s vice president of sales highlighted how Acura has now enjoyed 12 straight months of double-digit year-over-year sales increases.

Jeff Conrad also mentioned Acura finished 2010 with a 27-percent sales increase and he thinks he knows the reasons why the string of monthly climbs stretched into the first month of this year.

“We think a lot of Acura’s recent success can be attributed to a couple of things,” Conrad began. “First, a more rational approach by buyers in the luxury car market since the economic downturn. Strategic Vision data indicates that three of the top five purchase reasons for luxury vehicles are: value for money, quality of workmanship and reliability. All three happen to be core strengths of the Acura brand.

“The second reason for our recent success can be attributed to our philosophy of ‘smart luxury,’” Conrad continued. “Smart luxury refers to a pronounced shift in the luxury market away from the idea of excess and extravagance, and to vehicles offering useful and relevant technology, rich content, premium quality, environmental sustainability and lasting value, all wrapped up in a sleek design.”

Inspired by a premium segment sales forecast for a return to near 2007 levels by 2012, Conrad unveiled Acura’s 2012 version of the TL to the industry gathering in Chicago.

“For the 2012 model year, we focused on taking the already innovative TL and refining it even further to ensure it remains a leader among luxury sports sedans, an automobile that will continue Acura’s legacy of ground-breaking style, performance, refinement and value,” Conrad insisted.

The brand VP highlighted the 2012 TL features 3.5- and 3.7-liter V6 engines along with an added transmission gear and optimized ratios to improve fuel economy while boosting the vehicle’s acceleration. He said this model also can obtain 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway, an improvement of 3 mpgs over the current model.

Furthermore, Conrad mentioned this TL boasts either front-wheel or all-wheel drive configurations. A six-speed manual transmission also is available on the all-while drive model.

“But performance is just the start,” Conrad stressed. “The new TL is also luxury refined. Upgrades to interior styling and quality provide an executive class cabin, regardless of trim.

“And extraordinary efforts have also been made to reduce noise, vibration and harshness resulting in a three decibel improvement in cabin noise at higher speeds,” he continued.

Conrad also pointed out other amenities featured in the 2012 TL such as a new 60 GB hard drive system that powers and controls the improved navigation, entertainment and phone functions, new ventilated front seats offering heating and cooling and a radar-based blind spot information system to warn the driver when another vehicle is in close proximity.

“Put it all together and you’ve got a tantalizing blend of superior performance, progressive technology and first-class appointments highlighted by outstanding levels of quality and craftsmanship all at a moderate price,” Conrad emphasized.

“In other words, innovation refined in a sleek and striking sports sedan,” he added.

Along with sharing the features of the 2012 model, Conrad emphasized the heritage he believes Acura has built not only with the TL but as a luxury brand.

“As most of you know, 2011 marks Acura’s 25th anniversary,” Conrad stated. “From day one, we’ve succeeded by offering premium luxury vehicles that deliver an appealing blend of sophisticated style, outstanding performance, rich content and the very latest in automotive technology, all at a compelling value to our customers.

“Over the years, our strong suit has been innovation, and if you need proof, just look at our track record. As I’m sure most of you know, Acura was the world’s first Japanese luxury brand. And over the past 25 years, we’ve continually added to our list of ‘firsts’ — especially in the area of advanced automotive technology.”

Some specific advances Conrad stressed were VTEC, which gives an extra shot of horsepower at high RPMs, drive-by-wire electronic throttle control, in-dash navigation systems and Bluetooth.

“You’ll find these features on virtually every luxury automobile today, but again, Acura was the first with the vision and the capabilities to develop and introduce them,” Conrad asserted.

The Acura executive recalled that the brand first launched the TL back in 2004 and equipped it with its most power engine ever five years later. Conrad also noted the TL has been honored by J.D. Power and Associates as well as ALG.

“However, the 2009 TL launched at the worst possible time — literally as the economy crumbled, and its aggressive styling may have been a bit too bold in the evolving market,” Conrad conceded. “So how did we respond?

“Bold, yet, refined. Sophisticated. Beautifully proportioned. Certainly first impressions count. And from any angle, this latest TL makes a powerful first impression,” he answered.

“But when all is said and done, a luxury performance sedan has to provide everything its buyer expects — and the newly refined TL does. By delivering, performance refined, technology refined and luxury refined,” Conrad concluded.