http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/ Autoblog Comments for http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
That would be like trying to take a compact car that isn't trail rated, has a CVT, is available in 2WD, and trying to pass it off as a Jeep.

...

Ok, bad example.
]]>Jul 8th 2006 10:35AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 10:37AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 10:37AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 10:45AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 11:02AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 11:05AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
Another problem that may hinder sales and harm Buick's reputation is the fact that the car is based on a lowly Daewoo, which is an "anti-prestige" name that carries negative connotations not associated with Buick. Basing a Buick on a Daewoo is kind of like basing a Cadillac on a Kia; the idea just might rub consumers the wrong way.

Also, I believe they'll have to make the ride quality and sound levels more favorable than other compacts to sell consumers on the idea of a little Buick. I mean, what good is a luxury name if it's on a chitty chitty bang bang car? If they do give the car decent road manners to accompany the name, I think this car will sell well. I might even drive one.]]>Jul 8th 2006 11:51AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 12:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
Buick has a long history in China and is said to be the first automobile to enter the Forbidden City in the early 1920s.]]>Jul 8th 2006 1:13PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 1:27PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 1:42PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 1:50PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
Will Cadillac and Lincoln ever build compact sized premium vehicles? or will that market be left to their European brands? (Volvo, Saab) ]]>Jul 8th 2006 2:10PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
If GM wants to destroy any brand equity that Buick has, importing this will be the fastest way to do it. Personally, I don't think GM has the slightest intention of bringing it in. I think they'd be trying to keep you from finding out that it exists. Well, the more of these they can foist on the Chicoms the better. ]]>Jul 8th 2006 2:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Ring
Friend: Hello
Me: Dude, I just got a new Buick.
Friend: What?!
Me: I got a Buick I'm coming to get you.
Friend: No, I think not. ]]>Jul 8th 2006 2:35PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
It needs to be lowered about 1.5 inches and given a plus-one wheel and tire upgrade. It also needs a different, non-Nissan Altima tailight and deck lid treatment. The front end looks nice, though. ]]>Jul 8th 2006 2:38PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 3:58PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/Jul 8th 2006 4:16PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
Well, if by "some roots" you mean "abso-freaking-lutely everything," then yes. There's no way the Excelle--badged as a Buick, that is--would be a viable product outside of emerging markets like China's. But then, I've read nothing suggesting that Buick thinks otherwise.

It's certainly not coming to the U.S., so anyone who's concerned about that can relax.

In the meantime, I don't see what's so wrong about Buick selling this car in China. The Buick brand has an enviable reputation there, but most Chinese motorists can't afford to buy, refuel, or park--parking spots command big bucks in urban China--large cars like the Regal and LaCrosse. Plus, considering the rudimentary quality of most native Chinese cars, the Daewoo powertrain and interior don't hurt the perception of prestige.

For now, I think Buick actually did a decent job of "leveraging syngergies," to put it in Dilbert-speak. I just hope they're already working on their next compact, because once Toyota, Honda, and others penetrate the Chinese market, the Excelle's going to be exposed as the C-average, second-string design that we perceive it to be in the States.]]>Jul 8th 2006 4:33PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/08/2007-buick-excelle-would-you-drive-this-baby-buick/
Ross (post #7), Cadillac had a car based on a "lowly" Cavalier, it was called Cimmaron. Of course, that led the way of models that was a rebadged Opel Omega - the Cadillac Catera, precursor to today's CTS.

If there was a Cadillac hatchback made by Daewoo, then GM is officially dead.]]>Jul 8th 2006 4:54PM