GM reportedly holding up some shipments of Buick LaCrosse over quality concerns
2010 Buick LaCrosse - Click above for a high-res image gallery
The high-profile 2010 Buick LaCrosse, the vehicle the automaker hopes will lure younger buyers into its showroom, is being delayed a few weeks due to manufacturing quality concerns. Mark LaNeve, GM's VP of U.S. Sales, told reporters and analysts that although 300-400 cars were shipped in August, future deliveries will be halted until Buick works out the so-called "quality issues." While there was no elaboration or specifics, LaNeve added that the issues "were not serious but were enough to delay us three or four weeks while we made sure they were fixed so that our customers didn't have any problems."
Arguably the most important vehicle launched by the brand in decades, Buick is positioning its all-new LaCrosse as a serious competitor to Volvo, Lexus, and Acura. Furthermore, the mid-size luxury sedan is bait for people in their mid-40s and 50s, decidedly younger than the brand's 68-year-old median age buyer last year. Few would consider a short quality-related delay a stain on the launch of the new model. In fact, the publicity this is generating will likely help spread Buick's LaCrosse message.
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse
[Source: ABC News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Avinash machado 10:04AM (9/03/2009)
Good to sort out the problems before they get sold and generate negative publicity by being recalled.
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Quantumphysics 10:15AM (9/03/2009)
I've driven the Lacrosse. Besides it having FWD and no available 2.8L Turbo yet, It costs $40,000 loaded and is a better quality value than most other cars in this segment. Its better than the ES350 and the Genesis.
gobluetwo 10:29AM (9/03/2009)
@quantumphysics,
Better than the ES and (especially) Genesis in what ways? I do see that the middle range of the Lacrosse will be available with AWD and the top range fully loaded is practically the same price as fully loaded Genesis V6 ($105 difference). Is the interior quality/design more to your liking? Ride, handling, exterior styling? What makes it "better" in your opinion?
Sal Collaziano 10:57AM (9/03/2009)
I'd like to know Quantumphysics's answer to that as well, gobluetwo... Better HOW? The Buick LaCrosse is "better" than the Lexus ES350 if you consider interior and exterior DESIGN. But that's where it all ENDS.
Not saying the LaCrosse is a bad car. It's not! I love it! It's the nicest looking Buick in a LONG, long time. Inside and out.. I DEFINITELY see this car bringing MUCH younger people to the brand. But is it "better" than the Lexus ES350 or Hyundai Genesis? No. Not really.
Just like the way most people elect people to political positions, we listen to other people and regurgitate their opinions -- which in most cases aren't even THEIR own opinions - but the opinion's of someone else they heard - and so on, and so on, and so on...
I've spent thirty minutes in a new LaCrosse and it's not "better" than an ES350 or Genesis. But, I find it to be an excellent vehicle and I'm proud of Buick to have finally figured out that the Chinese know how to design beautiful cars...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.buickforums.com
Tikki 11:00AM (9/03/2009)
yeah its NOT a Hyundai!
Quantumphysics 11:45AM (9/03/2009)
I like the interior and exterior design MORE on the Buick .
I like the fully loaded $40,000 price better on the Buick but, as I already have a 300SRT8 and an S550, I'd never buy this for myself. I tried to get my cousin to buy it as her next car.
I liked the interior space more.
I liked the material quality more.
Kevin 1:48PM (9/03/2009)
Edmunds too says it's better than the ES... I hope it succeeds to prove that a well thought out American car can be a class leader.
BigWill 1:46PM (9/03/2009)
$40,000 buys a Genesis with RWD, a V8.and 100 extra horsepower. And the LaCrosse is a better value?
Quantumphysics 6:08PM (9/03/2009)
Big will
so you are saying a V8 engine in a car that lacks a HUD, rear dvd system and navigation system at $40k. Which the buick has it at, is a better value?
With better fuel economy?
You are wrong
Then go buy it right now. My cousin is picking up her lacrosse wednsday.
the4thheat 2:02AM (9/04/2009)
@Kevin
Yeah Edmunds says it's better than the ES because it's available with a 4-cylinder engine.
They scored the two cars using this rather hilarious list of "MUST HAVE" features:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=156106/pageId=177124
So the Lexus lost 10 points for not having a 4-cylinder engine...then another 10 points because it's seats were regular leather seats and not perforated leather seats.
I'm not saying the Lacrosse isn't a nice car but that Edmunds article is the stupidest luxury car comparison I've ever read in my life. Who in their right mind goes out to buy a $36K luxury car and thinks "boy I wish this car had a 4-cylinder engine option"? How the hell can Edmunds seriously include this as a reason for why the LaCrosse is a better luxury car?!
pagluy 9:37AM (9/04/2009)
@Quantumphysics:
Are you seriously saying a HUD and dvd player are better than 100 more HP and RWD? I'm no import fan but I love to drive my cars, you can keep your gimmicks.
Wobbly_ears 10:07AM (9/03/2009)
Do you think grandpa is senile enough to notice any quality issues? They might be discussing this at the local AARP chapter meeting ; "My Buick broke again, It's that Obammy & the death panel for cars & old people, Hrmph!!"
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Mike7 10:13AM (9/03/2009)
I like it and I'm nowhere near old enough to being a "grandpa". I think it's great that they're taking their time fixing the issues.
sc7 10:16AM (9/03/2009)
It's good they want to control quality. GM is getting a fresh start in a lot of people's eyes, many will watch this first batch, deciding if it's once again a safe investment to purchase an American car. I hope for GM this new strategy works out, as I'd love to support an American company again.
For the grandpa comment, I know older people who drive their crap Buicks from the 90s, and think it's a "GOOD CAR!", despite needing serious engine and transmission work, among many other things, frequently. I tell them my Honda hasn't had any of that work yet, despite being 150k miles, and they are actually stunned.
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chad.dawkins 12:04PM (9/03/2009)
I have a Pontiac(3800 FTW!) and haven't had to do anything with the engine or transmission either and it's at 120K miles...
jv2k 1:46PM (9/03/2009)
That's funny. I've known people with civics that have needed serious work and people with buicks that didn't.
dajking 1:56PM (9/03/2009)
My parents have owned Buicks for years. Very rarely has there ever been an issue with the engine or transmission. Currently they own a '97 Park Avenue and an '88 Park Avenue. The newer has well over 130,000 miles and has only had annoying problems, but no major engine or transmission issues...and it AVERAGES 30 mpg on the highway.
The older '88 Park Avenue has well over 225,000 miles on it and has not had any major engine or transmission issues either.
Everyone can say all they want about the Buicks of the past (the "grandpa's car") but I'm here to tell you, they have been pretty good cars from my experience despite some annoying quality issues.
I only see Buick going up in people's minds as the asthetics, quality, and overall look of the cars have improved dramatically.
Christopher 3:01AM (9/04/2009)
sc7 and jv2k..... ya gotta look at who is generally the driver of the old buicks and the honda civics. the typical buick driver is an older person, the kind of person who might routinely drive 5 mph under the posted speed limit with their left turn signal on for 3 miles. their car is likely to be babied and meticulously serviced, rarely if ever driven hard. the typical honda civic driver is of the yo yo yo yo i rock a civic mentality, the kind that puts ridiculous wings and fart pipes and intake kits on their cars actually believing it will substantially increase the cars performance. usually high school and college aged punks, this group tends to beat the piss out of their cars. baring some act of God those babied buicks should last forever, and it would take an act of God for some of those (ricer crowd typical) civic drivers to not kill themselves
Aznauto 10:17AM (9/03/2009)
Another reason why they stop designing cars in Detroit and let GM Shanghai handle it.
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genepro05 10:28AM (9/03/2009)
@Aznauto(aka. Chinkauto),
Tsk... Tsk.. Tsk... Are you on a crack? Chinese cars = Deathtrap, there's a big difference between China/Africa and the US/Japan/Korea/Western Europe in quality control, quality management, creativity and craftmanship, etc...
Only things Chinese are good at are copying things, extremly poorly and lying... !!
Chinese = Neglects of Asia...