Acura is the luxury and performance division of Japanese automaker Honda, based primarily in North America. The brand was launched in the United States on March 27, 1986, marketing luxury and performance automobiles. It was introduced to Canada on February 14, 1987, Hong Kong in 1991 (lasting until 2009), Mexico in 2004, China in 2006 (until 2023), Russia in 2014 (until 2016), Panama in 2014, Kuwait in 2015,[5] and was also sold in Ukraine in 2006 (until 2018). Honda's plan to introduce Acura to the Japanese domestic market (JDM) in 2008 was delayed, due to economic reasons, and later withheld as a result of the financial crisis of 2007–2008.