Why Isn't Lexus Peeking Over Buick's Shoulder For Ideas?

Remember the "This isn't your father's Oldsmobile" advertising campaign? It was such a flop, General Motors Co. couldn't save the brand.

The automaker's history is riddled with dead brands that couldn't attract enough younger buyers to stay alive. Pontiac was once GM's sporty performance division. But the last Pontiac rolled off the assembly line in November. Saturn, the division designed to win over a younger generation of buyers, sputtered and is shutting down this year.

So why are GM executives so excited about Buick — the brand most likely to be left behind when mom and dad move to the senior living center?

Well, lately it's been behaving very un-Buick like, attracting younger buyers and seeing sales soar in trend-setting regions such as California. It is the fastest growing major brand in the industry.




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upwards - 5/6/2010 11:52:50 AM

+1 Boost

Not sure if the question asked is even accurate. Buick has a hit in the La Crosse and now the Regal is looking like a great follow up.

KZ258 - 5/7/2010 2:06:41 PM

+2 Boost

" Why would Lexus be looking at a rental fleet queen provider?"
LOL!!!

"Don't even bother. Look who posted it."
i agree a 150% ignore this post. its a real waste of time

Steve - 5/6/2010 12:15:51 PM

+8 Boost

Don't hold your breath folks. When your market share is miniscule, a 100% growth sounds impressive in a PR release stating "fastest growing" this or that. But "miniscule x 2" is still miniscule.

Let's wait until Buick has established itself as a sustainable winner before we bow down to it in awe.

Agent009 - 5/6/2010 3:31:34 PM

-5 Boost

Actually step back a bit from the sales numbers for a sec.

5 years ago Buick and Lexus had almost IDENTICAL age demographics, but in a very short time Buick has started turning this around.

The key to long term viability is to appeal to a younger demographic, Buick is making headway where Lexus has yet to have success. May be they do need to look over someones shoulder.

bmwdrvr - 5/6/2010 4:33:43 PM

+6 Boost

aah the irony when anyone saids the same thing in regards to Audis US sales you cry about it, but Buick is improving vastly in sales because of much improved product and you downplay them??? let the foolish double standard continue

CarCrazedinCali - 5/6/2010 12:31:02 PM

+2 Boost

the new styling of the la crosse is certainly eye catching, good for buick... certainly more eye catching that the es350- boring!

LuvMyLexus - 5/6/2010 1:33:59 PM

+2 Boost

Oh yeah?

Remember next year there will be an all new Lexus ES and the Buick will be boring.

In fact, the current ES is a better car than the Buick.

Buick blew it!

Caraficionado - 5/6/2010 12:40:06 PM

-1 Boost

I'm happy for Buick

100tnega - 5/6/2010 12:40:42 PM

+1 Boost

Lexus? Huh? Anyways... Hey Buick, bring over the Opel GTC concept!

LuvMyLexus - 5/6/2010 1:31:34 PM

+3 Boost

Let me try and understand this question.

"Should Lexus peek over at Buick to understand how to build better cars?"

I went to a Buick dealer the other day to find out what is so apecial abou the Lacrosse since they're comparing it to the ES350 and I walked out laughing.

The Lacrosse is a big car with a poor interior. Cheap leather and the door panels are awful with that angle that forces your arm to fall off.

This is a joke question.

Whelan - 5/6/2010 2:24:10 PM

-2 Boost

And the ES is an inflated Camry with no fun factor and the epitomy of helping drivers to fall asleep by the uninspiring design. The ES has been boredom since almost day 1. The only ones I liked were the late 90's early 2000 models that were Camry-esque but reminded me of the Acura Legend.

Willis - 5/6/2010 3:39:42 PM

-2 Boost

The ES has a mega cheap interior to. It doesn't feel or look like a luxury car cabin at all. More like a gussied up Camry. I am serious.

Willis - 5/6/2010 6:01:45 PM

-3 Boost

I did. Not impressed.

The interior screams TOYOTA. It lacks a simple and classy design language (like most Lexus products).

0to60 - 5/6/2010 2:25:24 PM

+6 Boost

Lexus does what it does best, and their is a market for it. They should keep their formula for as long as they are successful at it. When sales slip, then...

0to60 - 5/6/2010 4:51:43 PM

+1 Boost

Thought lexus was 60. Retirement age. Why are 80 year olds still driving. Their demogrphics would be extremely small

Dr550 - 5/6/2010 6:55:19 PM

+4 Boost

Buick needs a "RX" type vehicle to increase sales even more. The ES and RX are Lexus core demographic autos.