Sterling Motor Company

Sterling was a brand name of automobile marketed in the United States by ARCONA (Austin Rover Cars of North America) under the name Sterling Motor Cars which was a sector of the Rover car company in the United Kingdom. It subsisted in America from 1987 to 1992 when Rover was in partnership with Honda of Japan.

The only Sterling model ever put on the market was the 800 series. It was a rebadged (replaced by the branding trademark of another product) as another Rover 800-series, but was specifically customized for the United States market. The sedan body-styled 825 sedan was sold first. In 1988, a hatchback called the 827 was added, corresponding with the launching of a new, larger, Honda engine.

The Sterling was only available with a V6 gasoline engine in North America. In 1989, the instrumentation was changed to gauges constructed by another component-builder and to build value that started to advance year by year. Unfortunately, the changes came too late to keep the American edition from being withdrawn due to poor sales.

Sales in the United States were originally stout, due to the fascination with traditional British interior styling combined with a fresh and state-of-the-art exterior design, both of which balanced well with its cousin, the Acura Legend. American sales reached a peak of almost 15,000 in 1988. Each model came with broad, real-wood interior trim. Standard equipment on the SL featured antilock brakes, power Connolly leather seats and two-tone paint.

Despite its departure from the United States market, Sterlings can still seen on roads all over the country. They remain in service, unlike many "orphan" vehicles, because numerous parts are still extremely accessible for these vehicles since they shared nearly all key mechanical parts with the extremely popular Acura Legend. A Sterling can be serviced by any Honda or Acura dealer.