Buick expanding lineup to six models in two years
During our preview this morning of upcoming products from both Buick and GMC, we learned that the Buick lineup will expand its lineup to include six models within the next 24 months. Joining the LaCrosse and Enclave (it sounds like the Lucerne is on its way out) will be two new sedans and two new crossovers.
One new four-door will be a mid-size sedan based on the Opel Insignia and possibly wear the Regal nameplate. The other will be a smaller, entry level compact sedan based on the new Opel Astra. We also saw a teaser last week of the new compact crossover for Buick that's basically a rebadged Saturn Vue. An even smaller CUV based on the Delta platform will also be added.
Over at GMC, a Denali version of the Acadia will likely be added along with another small CUV that could be a competitor for the upcoming mini countryman.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
AirRaid 11:33AM (8/11/2009)
I'm glad to hear the news about the Acadia. That's it.
Reply
Farmboy 11:35AM (8/11/2009)
What's a GMC without a Denali? :) They, imo, are better than Cadillacs. The aesthetics of a GMC Denali are better than any Cadillac.
PJ 4:40PM (8/11/2009)
To be honest, I'm not even excited about the Acadia news.
Seven reasons GM should be improving its core products instead of adding new ones:
Aveo
HHR
Impala
Colorado
Canyon
Envoy
All the "mild hybrids"
And even the newest, best products (Malibu, CTS, Silverado, etc.) could use that R&D cash to go from "very competitive" to hands-down best in class. The Corvette could use a freshening. The new SRX is getting lukewarm reviews. And so forth.
inline6 5:29PM (8/11/2009)
Aveo - replacement coming in 2011, original Daewoo product predates the acquisition of Daewoo by GM.
HHR - Orlando replacement coming soon, current model selling well
Impala - GM working on replacement, current model selling well
Colorado - GM working on replacement
Canyon - GM working on replacement
Envoy - GM STOPPED PRODUCING in December. Acadia replaced EXT, Terrain replacing 5-passenger.
All the "mild hybrids" - being supplemented by full hybrids, Voltec.
GM will no longer be producing the 3 Saabs, the 2 Hummers, the 7 Pontiacs, and the 4 Saturns.
They're adding 3 Buicks, but they're killing 3 Cadillacs and replacing them with 2 (ATS, XTS).
So, um, what's the big deal again?
PJ 10:32PM (8/11/2009)
The deal is all of those "working on replacements." We enthusiasts might know that a new this or a new that is rolling out in 2, 3, or 4 years, but it doesn't mean squat to the customer who walks into a Chevy showroom *today,* is horrified by (for example) an Aveo, and takes their money elsewhere--reinforcing the "GM bad" stereotype in the process, and possibly taking another 5-10 years before that customer will look at a Chevy again.
GM cannot afford to *not* build home-run products right now. The public has a vested interest in them, and you don't get an opportunity like the one handed to GM very often.
the4thheat 10:16PM (8/11/2009)
Speaking of crossovers...I thought the car in the pic was an old RX300 for a second before I saw the Buick logo.
iDiaz 11:35AM (8/11/2009)
Are you kidding me? They're fresh out of bankruptcy and they've already forgotten their lesson? More models (when the current ones are languishing on dealer lots), and more brand engineering? FOCUS ON MAKING YOUR CURRENT MODELS COMPETITIVE!
Reply
ebleyes 11:48AM (8/11/2009)
Buick needs new models to cover the loss of Pontiac in BPG dealers, two or three models are not enough for Buick.
iDiaz 12:30PM (8/11/2009)
Are the parking spaces gonna get cold or what? ;) They're gonna replace cars that aren't selling with more cars that aren't gonna sell! The Buick brand is dead in the US. It carries no brand equity at all in their largest markets. No matter what they come out with, it's still gonna be a Buick and will still be associated with grandma.
Jared 12:10PM (8/11/2009)
I agree with iDiaz. What GM needs are better, more competitive models. Not more models.
Kevin 12:35PM (8/11/2009)
Buick is shaping up to be a direct competitor with Lexus, or at least that is their goal.
I'm liking the direction the brand is taking. The new Lacrosse actually looks SICK!! Much better than ANY Lexus IMO. And has anyone ridden in an Enclave? They are great looking/driving cars.
I'd buy one once they get rid of their old person image, which is happening faster than most people think.
Lemon 12:49PM (8/11/2009)
iDiaz,
Before Bob Lutz, Cadillac was associated with grandmas as well ;)
iDiaz 12:54PM (8/11/2009)
Cadillac wasn't just associated with grandmas. They were associated with mobsters, gangsters, pimps, players, and hustlers. Way easier to create a good brand out of that than grandmas, grandpas, shuffleboard, bingo night, and Depends.
Judy Zik 3:27PM (8/11/2009)
Totally agreed. What difference does it make if it is a Pontiac, Saturn or a Buick. The net result is the same. Too many versions of the same vehicles. They are repeating the same mistakes over and over.
The Venture didn't need a new nose or Pontiac, Buick, Oldsmobile and Saturn versions. The money would have been much better spent sending it home for a full redesign to compete with everyone else.
It's replacement finally came and it is competitive (Traverse). Unfortunately it has been fighting for attention and marketing money with you guessed it Saturn, GMC and Buick versions. Great we are getting rid of the Saturn version eventually. Instead we will add another version of the GMC version and you guessed it a Caddy is on it's way soon. Yes the Lambda's are far better examples of sharing a platform and not every switch but they still compete with each other (especially for corporate resources).
GM seems to have learned nothing from the too many brands and too many versions of the same thing mistake.
Other Man 11:43AM (8/11/2009)
Give Buick the Regal/Insignia thing, a PREMIUM version of the Vue, and call it a day. They need no more cars than that.
P.S. I'd buy a V-8 Acadia Denali, GM. Just saying.
Reply
Brian 11:45AM (8/11/2009)
Give me one good reason why Buick should exist.
Reply
MajorGeek 11:46AM (8/11/2009)
Your grandparents.
Brian 11:48AM (8/11/2009)
So you just admitted their only market is dying out. Thanks for telling the truth about Buick.
Farmboy 11:52AM (8/11/2009)
Okay Brian, the Baby Boomers are getting older, so what do old people buy? Entry-level luxury and luxury. So Buick and Mercury might have a sales spike for a little while.
happyfun86 11:57AM (8/11/2009)
Brian, there are other markets besides the US. Buick sells incredibly well in China. And with over a billion people living there, what sense would it make to GM to kill off the brand?