RUMOR: Should The NEW VW Jetta Be Shakin' In Its Boots?

In the past 12 months, Buick has made a significant turnaround. It has been shocking as a matter in fact.

I remember first sitting in the new 2010 Lacrosse and thinking, "Now this isn't so bad!"

Granted, the General Motors brand has some refinements to make, it has come a LONG way since the Buick's from the 90s. And good God we all know what wrecks those cars were. Yikes.

Keeping in mind this 180-degree turn, should Volkswagen's upcoming Jetta be ready for a challenger? Rumors are implying the Chinese Excelle GT will be making an appearance in the U.S.

Considering the new Lacrosse and Regal, is Buick onto something and can they make some moves in the compact car segment?

Shanghai GM, a joint venture between General Motors Corp and China's SAIC Motor Corp, has revealed the all-new 2011 Buick Excelle GT compact sedan that will go on sale in the country on June 23. It will be available in China with a choice of two petrol engines, a naturally-aspirated 1.8-liter with 108kW/145HP and a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot churning out 135kW/181HP.

The GT model expands Buick China's Excelle range that already includes the five-door hatchback XT model. And in case you didn't notice, both the Excelle XT and GT are based on the latest generation of the Opel Astra and share the same Delta II platform and mechanical hardware as the Chevrolet Cruze...

[Source: Carscoop]

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freeagent - 6/8/2010 9:12:09 AM

+10 Boost

Buick has come a long way, but I dont thinkk anyone is shaking in their boots - in the US market at least.

Agent009 - 6/8/2010 9:36:08 AM

-4 Boost

Maybe not quite yet.

Whelan - 6/8/2010 10:02:32 AM

-2 Boost

Why did I just see an article comparing VW and Buick? They are not in the same segment. Buick is clearly positioning itself against the likes of Lexus and and GM is pushing for Cadillac to go up against BMW, MB, Audi. VW is a Toyota, Chevy, Ford, Nissan competitor. Although you would never think so by looking at their pricing models. When the Jetta went bloated and overpriced to become a baby Passat they lost their way.

uaw_lax - 6/9/2010 1:10:03 PM

+1 Boost

invisable time to take your meds!

quizz - 6/8/2010 11:44:35 AM

-1 Boost

If GM can develop a diesel engine that is as lively and efficient as a VW/BMW diesel, they will dominate the small car market here in the U.S.

Just license the technology from BMW for now while developing your own technology. Then you can go head to head with VW since BMW does not export its 4-cylnder diesel engines to the U.S. anyway.

izfuney - 6/8/2010 4:54:32 PM

0 Boost

The problem is that GM has forgotten how to brand its own vehicles. Both BMW and MB rebranded their vehicles to succeed in the US market and Lexus pretty much was and is focussed on only the US market. The point being US consumers have distinct tastes to suit their needs, no need for Buick to become Lexus or VW, just focus on bringing back what Buick used to mean post world war 2.

tango - 6/8/2010 11:35:49 PM

-1 Boost

GM has a line of very capable diesel engines that it offers on sale in Europe. And some of them are available in this very car (albeit badged as Opels and Vauxhalls). Obama has nothing to do with it, you prick. It has everything to do with GM drawing the line at what they can convince people to buy from them. Allegedly they were the reason why diesel engines failed in the US back in the 80s with the Oldsmobile diesel V8s. That's debatable in my opinion but the feeling exists out there. I'd love to see a diesel GM car on sale in the US (I'd be standing in line to get one) but I doubt it will happen just yet. I think we'll see the likes of the Equinox or the Traverse with them first.