Buick considers new entry level sedan for US

General Motors might sell a new model in the US that it’s planning to launch in China by early 2009. The compact Buick sedan is designed to replace the current Excelle, a re-badged version of the Daewoo Lacetti that’s sold in China. Execs are still considering if the car should be offered to the US but a source familiar with GM’s product plans has revealed to Automotive News that Buick’s US lineup will eventually resemble its range in China.

The new sedan will be based on the next-generation front-wheel-drive Delta platform, currently being developed in Germany by an international team of engineers. The car will be similar in size to the Chevrolet Cobalt or Honda Civic and if given US approval, would most likely be imported from China.

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moto - 5/21/2007 12:57:37 PM

+3 Boost

Buick has historically been amongst the best build quality and best value cars that GM has offered, mostly because of conservative design. But this has come at the expense of sportiness (no more coupes, no more manual transmissions) and lots of plastic on the interiors.

If Buick intends to build a successor to the Skylark, here's my word of advice:

- the Chinese market is different. a tiny 4-door might work there, but US car buyers are taller and fatter on average. Might as well make the short-wheelbase Buick a coupe for the US market.

- if you intend to attract younger buyers, you'll have to offer something that they appreciate: sportiness. a Gran Sport option would be highly welcome. install Borg-Warner's/VW's excellent 6-speed sequential manual transmission and a suspension worth its salt, and the 30somethings would actually go for it.

- the latest Riviera Concept looked fantastic. Keep up the innovative design, and bring it to market!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/21/2007 1:18:08 PM

+3 Boost

"- if you intend to attract younger buyers, you'll have to offer something that they appreciate: sportiness. a Gran Sport option would be highly welcome. install Borg-Warner's/VW's excellent 6-speed sequential manual transmission and a suspension worth its salt, and the 30somethings would actually go for it."

I disagree. As much as a DSG, a good suspension and great handling is nice in a German car (like my A3), in a Buick, noone would go for it. They are just not a young brand, no matter how many "young" cars they produce.. Their image is concrete.

moto - 6/16/2007 11:39:26 PM

+1 Boost

Why is this a bad idea?

mp2dtw - 5/21/2007 8:39:06 PM

+2 Boost

NO, please, no! If anything, GM should start building Buicks in Flint again, not China. If GM brought back the Wildcat, Electra and something mid-sized, smaller than the LaCrosse, and offered a few wagons again (a concept when gas is over $3.50/gallon) Buick would more than pull it's weight. I'm still trying to figure out exactly who, under 75, GM thinks will buy a Lucerne--the LeSabre for insomniacs.

cdoke - 5/21/2007 10:05:58 PM

-1 Boost

...ah, that den of criminals known as Flint Michigan. No offense to anyone, but Flint Michigan is the armpit of the earth.

I saw a Buick on the road the other day, and I was taken by surprise; it was a respectably attractive car. Not that I would ever drive one...

neutral - 5/21/2007 10:14:50 PM

+2 Boost

Buick need not concern itself the the young, sporty crowd. Buick needs to maintain its grip on the 45+ yr olds. Buick should start making vehicles that also target the 30yr olds. A good example is the Enclave. I'm in my early 20's and I would love to have one.

On another note (now that I mentioned the Enclave), there needs to be a Cadillac version of the Enclave. Also, the 2.9 liter diesel that is being produced in Italy needs to be dropped the in Enclave/Acadia/Outlook. Shoot....put that engine in the Escalade and STS while they're at it.

Agent63 - 5/22/2007 7:48:21 AM

+1 Boost

Buick is a luxury brand but it's not as big as the name Cadillac.