Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, China, Buick, Cadillac, GM
Thus spoke Bob: Lutz's interview on Autoline Detroit
Remember when we told you that Autoline Detroit would be posting its interview with Bob Lutz online? While it's finally hit the web, and we have to say it was worth the wait. We specifically were interested in hearing Lutz's response to a question posed by GMInsideNews member Ming, who wanted to know what Bob's reaction was to the lukewarm reception of the Buick Supers (LaCrosse and Lucerne) in the states compared to the puddles of drool that formed next to the rear-wheel-drive, Zeta-based Buick Park Avenue shown at the Shanghai Auto Show. Lutz explains that the Buick Supers amount to an additional trim level and new powertrain in the case of the LaCrosse. They were brought out just to generate some interest in Buick's sedans, which are midway through their product cycle. Concerning the rear-wheel-drive, Zeta-based Park Avenue, Lutz is quick to point out that it's not the "Chinese Park Avenue", but rather should be referred to as the "Holden Park Avenue". Apparently about four-years back, the current front-wheel-drive Lucerne and what would become the "Holden Park Avenue" were shown to dealers in the U.S. The dealers insisted they didn't need both sedans in the showroom, and the FWD Lucerne got the nod. Lutz leaves the door open for the Park Avenue being sold here in the U.S., however, saying that it could be imported and sold as Buick's flagship, something which the brand has gone without for some time.
Finally, Lutz also reveals that the SLS, or long-wheelbase Cadillac STS that will be sold in China is not coming to the U.S. Changes in side impact legislation have made it so that the SLS would need to be heavily reengineered to be sold in America, and there's not enough time left in the product cycle of the STS to cover the costs.
You can check out the complete interview by watching last week's episode of Autoline Detroit on the show's website. Some Mac owners, like myself, may have trouble viewing the video, and can listen to the interview by clicking here.
[Source: Autoline Detroit]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
F451 4:50PM (5/15/2007)
Man, Bob still doesn't get the hint that he needs to retire.
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Hank 4:59PM (5/15/2007)
Why would a Mac user have trouble? Both Real and WMP are offered, and Mac has both Real & Flip4Mac WMP converter) to view both formats.
I saw this interview the other day on the show. It was interesting. I think they should have questioned him harder on a few things, though.
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Big Mike Wood 4:59PM (5/15/2007)
So Lutz is blaming the dealers for the U.S. having the Lucerne instead of the Park Avenue? Whatever. I can understand why Buick dealers think that they need a geriatric FWD sedan but GM also desperately needs an luxury oriented, large, RWD sedan that comes in below Cadillac.
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John Neff 5:23PM (5/15/2007)
Hank, that's what I thought, but for some reason the WMV version isn't compatible with the most up-to-date version of Flip4Mac, which I verified with Autoline Detroit's webmaster. They said a new website is in the works and they're making sure that Quicktime versions would be offered or Mac users would be accomodated better in some other way. Still don't know why it wouldn't work for me and some other Mac users, though.
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TriShield 5:37PM (5/15/2007)
You guys understand the Park Avenue would be a pricey proposition in the US right?
The Chinese are paying $64,000 USD for the top model. Yes, it would be cheaper here, but still over $50k. Are those of you who like the car ready to drop 50 large on a Buick no matter how nice it is? Perhaps the dealers weren't quite out of their minds afterall.
I also doubt that we would get the exact same car sold to the Chinese. It would likely offer a 6.0L V8 (3.6L V6 only in China) and have a decontented interior identical to the Holden Statesman. Would it be as good then?
The grass is greener on the other side.
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Mr.Fab 6:28PM (5/15/2007)
Tri Shield et al, Buick/GM could always bring a slightly lesser Park Ave. here for let's say $32K, LOADED "and significantly less than German & Asian luxury" & they'd have their halo car. The real question is likely how much $ GM has @ hand to sell Buicks, along with all their other lines. The Tri Shield's a sleeping mid-market sweet spot affordable luxury niche winner. Mercury could be the same for FoMoCo IF . . . they too had the $ to sell vehicles. Seems a US industry pattern emerges here . . . again . . . I too await an American Car I want to buy & can afford, and @ the same time, thanks. Happy Motorin', Kidz!
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toyotasucks 7:31AM (5/16/2007)
You are letting dealers decide what to build!!!! No wonder you are loosing the game.
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the law 1:07PM (5/16/2007)
any news about the minis?
or saturn corsa/corsa cross-over?
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Eleventee 2:43PM (5/17/2007)
I watched it on Speed Channel over the weekend, as well as the initial part last weekend.
I like how Bob easily slips the question of why the awesome Chinese market Park Avenue isn't going to be sold in the NA market and basically blames it on a dealer focus group. What a bunch of crap.
He also makes the point that changing over production lines to build a larger vehicle wouldn't be cost effective...sure, versus, say, losing money on a product like the Supers that people really don't want anyway.
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Donald W Selby 1:37PM (7/18/2007)
I made comments regarding the exit possition on my Buick Lucerne. I need help with the lousy exit possitioning controls. I want to override the factory settings and put the seat all the way back and all the way down before exiting. I then want it to remain there afterr I unlock the door. I want it to go to the drivers position when I put the key into the ignition.
Please help or direct me to the department in Buick where I can get help.
Don Selby
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Donald W Selby 11:05AM (7/24/2007)
Mr. Lutz,
Please answer me.
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Donald W Selby 5:06PM (7/25/2007)
Bob Lutz,
Thanks a lot for not answering me and my problem with my Buick. I guess I should understand why no answer, since you wouldn't get any money for your answer.