GM Looking to Add Car Below the Buick LaCrosse
General Motors may produce a car smaller and cheaper than the LaCrosse for the Buick brand, according to Automotive News.
GM’s rethinking its U.S. models because of the approaching CAFE fuel-economy standards. The new Buick would be based on the Excelle sedan that’s making its debut in China in 2009. A senior GM source told Automotive News, “I definitely think there might be a market for a luxury-crafted smaller car for Buick.
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Comments
kellycm2
This is interesting after what buick did with the new crossover. it would be nice to see a 3 series size american luxury sedan (the cts aside, it is a little bigger).
Kal
Sadly, I just don't see how Buick is relevant anymore. All of the other major players in the car market have paired down to two major brands with which to market their products. Sucessful manufactures have one mainstream and one luxury brand. Buick, Pontiac and GMC are redundant, and as much the history of the brands might mean to the American people GM would do well to dump them as soon as possible.
I hope that whatever GM does decide to bring over is worthwhile. Perhaps something along the lines of the new BMW 1-Series. I won't hold my breath though.
The Stig
The G8 may not be a permanent fixture in Pontiac's lineup? What? You know that's just like GM. Get everyone all hyped up about something then make a stupid move in cancelling it. Dropping the G8 can't be their only option to working about 'possible' CAFE standards.
I'd like to see the research study that concluded that a smaller Buick would be worth selling or that it's something more than a feeble attempt to raise the corporate fuel average.
Cicero
kellycm2 is about the size of the 5 series, but priced around the 3 series. Orginally I heard Buick was getting a Delta 2 based car, but an Alpha based one is better, gives a good alternative to the fwd/awd Epsilon 2 LaCrosse that is coming. I hope they call it Skylark and give it a coupe version with a high output top of the line engine (like the V6 in the Traverse)
Cicero
Kal, look at the Buick Enclave and how wel it is doing and say that Buick is irrelevant
mbslrm
Buick and Cadillac are supposed to be upscale, so I see this as a bad move.
Cicero
How is it a bad move to have an entry level that gets younger buyers into the Buick show rooms? It doesn't, this gives Buick a great way to get more customers, is a good alternative to the upcoming Epsilon 2 LaCrosse. Buick is stiking with traditional luxury while Caddy goes after sport luxury, so balances out nicely for choices.
The Stig
Oh ok so one Buick model sells well and it's supposed to carry the whole brand? And yeah while the Enclave looks nice, it's so underpowered and overweight that it can barely get out of its own way. Buick has been irrelevant for a long time now; GM just hasn't been able to pull the plug on it like they did Olds. The only good they do is give ailing Pontiac dealers another car to sell and service.
Cicero
Can we pull the plug on you Stig? Buick has some great vehicles in the pipeline, such as a new rwd flagship, the Epsilon 2 based LaCrosse and an entry level model, this should help completely revive the brand and make them compete well against the likes of Lexus. Buick is still popular with the older crowd and the Enclave and upcoming new products should bring in the younger crowd, so no, Buick is not irrelevant.
Matteo
Cadillac Cimarron anyone?
Kal
Cicero,
The Enclave is indeed a nice piece of work. But one model does not a brand make.
The only reason Buick stuck around this long is because of the Park Avenue/LeSabre and the Century/Regal twins which for God knows what reason sold tremendously well. Then GM cancelled them both and stuck Buick with the God awful mistake that is the LaCrosse, a reworked DTS, an ugly minivan and a lame Pontiac Aztek cousin.
What ever happened to the cool concepts we've seen in the past five years?
I stand by my statement. Buick is at this point a lame duck. Unless they step it up in the next year or so and introduce some ground breaking models I don't see any reason to continue pumping money into the brand.
Ducati Minor
I'm taking a stand against Kal on this one.
The Enclave isn't what is going to keep Buick afloat, but it's a good foundation from which to rebuild a reputation. Buick remains a hot-selling brand of motorcar in China, the fastest-growing market. Let's be reasonable: the LaCrosse and Lucerne are not horrible vehicles. They may not serve as premier luxury cars, but they are not the dreadful machines some make them out to be.
Pontiac has an ever better position. That re-badged Corolla hatch, the Vibe, remains a steady seller. The Solstice is a styling triumph. Even if you don't like it, a lot of people do--including me. The G8 is the most anticipated four-door coming to the States. I think Pontiac is in a good position.
I may not see any logic in having GMC around, but GMC trucks continue to sell in huge numbers. There appears to still be a big following there.
The Stig
Oh I remember who you are now Cicero. Have a drink and settle down. I don't even make a personal attack on you - I simply used words to express my OPINIONS about Buick - but you come out swinging. Glad to see that you've learned how to structure sentences. Elementary school must be working out for you. Congratulations.
Cicero
Wow, Stig, sticking with insulting someone you never met and questioning their intelligence over the net, mut be a big man. Anyway Ducati made the point I was trying to make better then me and I agree with what he said.
Kal
Ducati,
I think you make some good points, but I still disagree. If you look at any of the sucessful luxury brands out there all of them have a focused portfolio of vehicles. Buick just doesn't have that at this point.
I would agree that Pontiac is on the brink of making a comeback, but they too have a long way to go. For instance, the G6 is actually a pretty nice car in coupe or sedan form. That said, people just aren't buying it (at least in this area of the country). Also, I continue to be amazed that I can't get a proper manual transmission in any of the "excitement divisions" cars with the exception of the Solstice and possibly the Vibe.
It is my honest hope that I'm wrong in my assumptions as I rather like GM products in general. Hopefully the next generation of Pontiacs and Buicks makes me eat my words.
The Stig
Those are just words Cicero. You really need to learn to get over it.
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