Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, China, Buick
Pint-sized Buick on the horizon?
It ain't no Skyhawk. Actually, we're not even sure this is the model that Buick may be contemplating bringing Stateside. Perusing their Chinese offerings, however, this seems like the most likely bet for a smaller Buick to slot below the LaCrosse. The only other Chinese Buick that makes a sliver of sense is the Royaum, based on the Omega platform (Catera, GTO), but that's a larger car aimed at dignitaries who prefer riding to driving. There are no facts to offer yet, other than Buick is analyzing whether offering an entry-level car under the LaCrosse is a good move.
There's debate among GM execs about whether a kiddie-pool Buick is the way to go. Some feel that it'd be a bad move, and the brand should focus on moving upscale, but we don't think that "upscale" and "entry-level" are mutually exclusive. There is a market for premium small cars; witness the MINI. If the car were fussed over enough to have the General's current, much improved, level of fit and finish, some dashing style, and offer capable and competitive powertrains and performance, they could have a winner on their hands. If it's indeed the Excelle, we'd be inclined to leave it. It's based on the Daewoo Nubira, and while it looks nice enough and it's not a bad car, there's still a yawning gap to leap into a LaCrosse. We haven't seen the likes of four-cylinder Buicks since the 1990s, and very few of them were of any interest (T-Type Skyhawks, Somersets and Skylarks get a pass). If there was proper development put into a smaller Buick, we'd welcome the return of a car to fill the Skylark's old shoes. We're not seeing that car in the current Chinese lineup, where the focus is more on uber cushy appointments inside, large size, and conservative styling. Hmm.. That doesn't sound half bad if it winds up on a chassis with some starch in the suspenders.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jruhi4 2:14PM (2/06/2007)
It is merely a Daewoo Nubira with a Buick nose. It is VERY familiar to us here in the U.S. as a Suzuki Forenza sedan.
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dis_guy 2:23PM (2/06/2007)
From that angle, the grill looks like it belongs on a Mercury.
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Sean 2:46PM (2/06/2007)
I Agree 100 percent with #1 and #2
All it is, is a chromed over Suzuki Forenza
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St?ane Dumas 2:52PM (2/06/2007)
if GM works on a 2nd-gen Kappa platform then I could call "Kappa II" who'll also be the basis for small RWD sedan, a small premium RWD Buick could work.
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tikirob 3:04PM (2/06/2007)
Well now that Suzuki dumped them they (GM) will need a outlet for them somewhere.
Rob
http://www.autoshortlist.com
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Nick 3:25PM (2/06/2007)
look at the proportions from the a-pillar back...that is clearly a Daewoo.
No Daewoo's for Buick, please. General Motors has done enough to trash it's brands. Buick seems to be moving in the right place...Lucerne, Enclave, and, uh, they need to fix up the Lacrosse...either way, a two or three-car brand that is focused on delivering entry-level luxury with classic American appeal is a niche that Buick fits perfectly and can successfully fulfill. Throwing a Chinese made, Korean engineered Daewoo with a whorish Aussie 4-cyl engineered by Germans in the 80's will really mix things up. This car is a mutt if there has ever been one. It should probably be sold by Walmart. I would argue that GM shouldn't even call this a Buick in China...it would better pass as a Chevy.
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Bill 4:26PM (2/06/2007)
I would not use the rebadged Nubria, but maybe there is a business case for a small to mid size comfortable touring coupe, something in size similar to an Accord, or Solara, that would appeal to post-minivan empty nesters or well-off single females? I saw a CTS coupe concept once, something along those lines, but more comfort oriented than sport.
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P to the C 4:35PM (2/06/2007)
Buick does not need a small cheap car, but it does need a small, NICE car. GM seems to not understand the difference. If the statement that "Some feel that it'd be a bad move, and the brand should focus on moving upscale" is true then that does not bode well for GM. They need to get past this kind of outdated thinking and move into the 21st century of auto making.
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EnviroBob 4:44PM (2/06/2007)
#4 You're dead on. Utilizing the Kappa platform and driveline would make for a cost effective sedan that would allow Buick to offer wanna be C Class buyers a less expensive viable option. Get the sheet metal and interior right and you've got a winner.
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jgp 5:23PM (2/06/2007)
Ooh...I like that idea. Stretch the Kappa platform, and sell it as a competitor to the likes of the Volvo S40 and Audi A3.
There _is_ a market for premium small cars.
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PJ 5:27PM (2/06/2007)
What I'm reading in the story above is that there's absolutely nothing to indicate that Buick is pondering bringing its Chinese-market Daewoos here. Good for riling up AB readers who skip the captions, but baseless.
GM's "analysis" of the feasability of a Buick compact will almost certainly come up negative.
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NoNameDenton 8:09PM (2/06/2007)
Be a good idea to compete with the likes of the Lincoln MKZ and the BMW 1 series and other small entry level luxo cars
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Avinash machado 2:32AM (2/07/2007)
This same car is sold in India as the Chevy Optra. Here is a review from an Indian magazine.
http://www.autocarindia.com/new/RoadTestDetails.asp?ID=1069
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Simon Angell 4:34AM (2/07/2007)
The Buick Royaum that is mentioned in the article is infact a Holden Statesman/caprice.. The previous version at that...
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Arthur 9:56PM (2/07/2007)
The nose looks a like the old Lincoln Mark VIII or continental.
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