Autoblog

Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas

Dan Roth — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:17:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Audi, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, GM, GMC, Spyker, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

'Twas a couple nights before Christmas, and in the Autoblog house, Paukert and Shunk got Roth off the couch... For episode #158 of the Autoblog Podcast! What better way to get into the holiday spirit than an hour and a half of new Podcast? It's fresher than egg nog this week, as the trio chews on the return of the 5.0 in the Ford Mustang, Audi's more sane torque numbers for the E-Tron, and what may yet be a Christmas miracle: Spyker's dogged pursuit of Saab. Rounding out the sextet of topics are the Alfa Giulietta and its potential as a Chrysler, the BMW Z4 GT3, and General Motors' plan to bring the Buick Regal GS to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, where it will also debut a Chevrolet Orlando-based vehicle called the GMC Granite.

For the long holiday drives, our colleagues at Joystiq and Engadget do fine work. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas

Autoblog Podcast #158 - 'Twas a few days before Christmas originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: GM to show Chevy Orlando-based GMC Granite and hi-po Buick Regal in Detroit

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:25:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Performance, Etc., Crossover, Hatchback, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, Rumormill, Luxury, Off-Road

GMC Granite will share a platform with the 2011 Chevrolet Orlando shown above

It seems as though it's just about impossible to keep an embargo in place these days. A Canadian outlet just spilled the beans on a couple of GM reveals set for Detroit next month. They say they were invited to a sneak preview Wednesday evening and although they couldn't take pics, they felt free to tell us about the whole array of models. Some have been loosely-guarded secrets, but a couple are unknowns, so we'll quote CanadianDriver on those until we get confirmation from GM.

Apparently, The General will have a slew of new model introductions in the D next month, including the much-anticipated Camaro Convertible, the new, upsized Aveo, a substantially-revised Malibu, production versions of the Spark and Orlando, and two models we hadn't heard about until now: A GMC version of the Orlando dubbed the Granite, and a "sport version of the Buick Regal" that should get "many of its performance parts from the 325-hp Opel Insignia OPC." Hot dog, the Regal GS is apparently more than a wet dream. Bring on the Stage 1 and GNX.

The Regal was just introduced in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, so the announcement of a performance model so soon thereafter seems a little strange -- not that we're complaining, mind you. The Granite is described as an "urban utility vehicle" and will be the smallest model in GMC's history. A Denali edition can only be around the corner. We'll get you more details as they are released and we'll be sure to have the whole field covered when the Big Top opens at Cobo in January.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Chevrolet Orlando Concept

Gallery: 2010 Chevy Spark

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling

[Source: CandianDriver]

REPORT: GM to show Chevy Orlando-based GMC Granite and hi-po Buick Regal in Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 19 Dec 2009 18:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:55:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Buick, Chevrolet

Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ever look for something high and low only to find it hiding in plain sight? That's how we'd sum up the latest announcement from General Motors. The company has announced that the new Buick Regal - based on 2009's European Car of the Year, the Opel Insignia - will enter production at the beginning of 2011 at its assembly plant in Oshawa, Ontario. There it will join the existing assembly line for the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers and the Chevy Camaro.

The kicker? General Motors subtly slipped in the announcement that the Camaro Convertible will begin production there as well around the same time. The drop-top pony car was first mooted with the concept unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, and GM has been hemming and hawing about its production prospects ever since. Well, apparently they've made up their minds, and told all of us about it in the most understated way they could think of. Follow the jump to read the official press release.

Gallery: Chevy Camaro Convertible Concept

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal

GM confims Chevy Camaro Convertible for Oshawa production alongside 2011 Buick Regal originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport

Chris Paukert — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Buick, GM, First Drive, Luxury

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's an odd bit of historical deja vu at work here. Back in the late '60s and early '70s, General Motors wanted to shift a few sporty-ish four-cylinder models from its Opel division into America, so they turned to their Buick dealers. This didn't work out exactly as planned - merchandising these odd European ducks in an outlet best known for sober doctor's cars meant that the GT, Manta and Kadett never managed to make much of a dent in North America's automotive landscape. This time out, with the Opel Insignia-derived 2011 Buick Regal, GM knows it needs massively better results.

This is a Buick the likes of which we have never seen before.

While attending an early drive event for the new Regal last week, we reminded vice-chairman Bob Lutz about the last time his company attempted to sell Opels in Buick showrooms. He laughed his trademark raspy laugh, and reminded us that Car and Driver so loathed the 1968 Kadett that their review featured it photographed in a junkyard. With characteristic candor, Lutz tells us, "It actually wasn't a very good car." Of course, Maximum Bob knows full well that GM can't afford another lost in space Kadett. Does the Regal have what it takes to mollify these "sins of the father" and put Buick on the right track? Click through to the jump to find out.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha?

Chris Paukert — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick

2011 Buick Regal live unveiling - Click above for high-res image gallery

Trivia Time: When was the last time a U.S. market Buick was available with a manual transmission? Honestly, we can't recall anything more recent than a buddy in high school having a hand-me-down mid-Eighties Somerset coupe with a stubby, workmanlike five-speed. Even back then its presence in our friend's hooptie was a genuine curiosity and a source of perpetual amusement.

Naturally, we posed this same question to a few Buick PR-types this morning at a first drive event upon learning from vehicle line executive Jim Federico that the reborn 2011 Regal will receive a six-speed manual transmission option (mated to a blown 2.0-liter four, no less). The answer? Shoulder shrugs and sheepish looks. Curiously, nobody even tried to answer our query with a red herring like the ill-fated Reatta coupe (it only came with a four-speed automatic).

So we now know when a Buick will next feature God's Own Gearbox (probably in the third quarter of 2010), but we still can't crack this historical chestnut - so we beseech thee, Autoblog Nation... what year was the last Buick built with a DIY transmission - and what car was it in? Hit us with your best shot in Comments.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling

BREAKING: Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg

Dan Roth — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, GM, Toyota

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Long-serving automotive journalist Phil Berg joins regulars Chris, Sam, and Dan to chew over some recent items. Starting us off, the car we all want in our driveways, the Cadillac CTS-V Sportwagon continues to be grist for the rumormill. Staying with GM, we move on to the debut of the Buick Regal and its potential use of GM's latest mild hybrid system. We next hit up the coming Impala, which will not be a version of the stillborn Pontiac G8, before we comment briefly about third quarter reports and the fervor surrounding GM's financials. The final two items before we hit questions are the delay of BMW's new X3, and a possible wagon or SUV version of the Toyota Prius.

Let us know what you think by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening, we'll see you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg

Autoblog Podcast #153 - with Phil Berg originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Bob Lutz drops more Buick Regal GS, high performance wagon hints

Jonny Lieberman — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Buick, Opel, Rumormill

Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer -- Click above for high-res image gallery

While we were talking about the Escalade EXT launch with Susan Docherty (don't ask) during the Regal reveal at the Hollywood Palladium last week, Car & Driver's Steve Siler was pushing Maximum Bob about sportier versions of the newest Buick. Now, we heard mumblings about a new Buick Regal GS last month, but that was just dealer hearsay. Siler's report is straight from Lutz's mouth, and while he's not exactly the most reliable GM exec we've ever talked with, he does seem to have his finger on the General's performance pulse.

To summarize a bit, a 335-hp, all-wheel-drive manny-tranny version of the Regal might be coming, labeled with the legendary GS badge. There might even be a wagon version of the top of the line Regal - maybe even one with GM's eLSD torque vectoring. In fact, Lutz made it sound like GM might just import the 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer, crank up the boost a smidge and slap a Regal GS badge on it - which is more than totally fine with us. In fact, Siler suggests that what GM ought to do is make the tip top Regal wagon-only - sort of like the MazdaSpeed3 or WRX STI. Maybe call it the Buick Regal GSX? But like most such things involving GM these days, we'll believe it when we see it.

Gallery: Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer

[Source: Car & Driver]

Rumormill: Bob Lutz drops more Buick Regal GS, high performance wagon hints originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick Regal likely to be launch platform for next GM hybrid system

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Buick

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last night, General Motors publicly unveiled the 2011 Buick Regal that goes on sale in North America in the first half of next year. The Regal will be Buick's new mid-sized sedan entry and is essentially just a re-grilled version of the Opel Insignia that went on sale in Europe last year. The North American Regal will be built at the Oshawa Ontario assembly plant in Canada beginning in calendar 2011 and will only be offered with a choice of direct-injected four-cylinder engines. However, the Regal is actually slated to go on sale in calendar 2010, and some are suggesting that the sedan will be sourced from Germany for 12 to 15 months.

The base engine will be the 2.4-liter normally aspirated unit that debuted earlier this year in the Chevrolet Equinox, among other models. With a six-speed automatic transmission, the Regal should hit 30+ mpg on the highway. The optional unit will be a 220-hp version of the 2.0-liter turbo, but that powertrain likely won't come on-line right away.

Earlier this year, documents were leaked that listed the Oshawa plant as building a new mid-size hybrid sedan in 2011. It looks like the Regal will be that car with GM's new second generation mild hybrid system that was announced in 2008. The new system uses a more powerful motor/generator and a lithium ion battery. According to Ward's Auto World, the Regal could also get GM's plug-in two mode hybrid system, but that likely won't appear before late 2011 at the earliest.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal

[Sources: Ward's Auto World - sub req'd | GM-Volt.com]

Buick Regal likely to be launch platform for next GM hybrid system originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Buick Regal revealed live at the Hollywood Palladium

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, Luxury

2011 Buick Regal live unveiling - Click above for high-res image gallery

Last night General Motors' superstar train blew into Los Angeles for a gala event at one of Hollywood's most iconic theaters, the Palladium. Designed by Hoover Dam architect Gordon Kaufman and opened by a $1 Frank Sinatra concert in 1940, the Palladium has played host to a who's who of music superstars including James Brown, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Madonna and the Pixies.

The Palladium wasn't just for music. President Jack Kennedy held a dinner there in 1961, and Martin Luther King Jr. was honored at the Palladium in 1965 after he received the Nobel Peace Prize. However, the Palladium's fortunes declined. Things got so bad that it was forced to close down for eight weeks in the early '90s. Recently, however, the Hollywood Palladium underwent a multi-million dollar renovation that successfully returned the theater to its former glory. Which leads us to Buick and the new 2011 Regal.

Continued after the jump...

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal Live Unveiling

Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal revealed live at the Hollywood Palladium

2011 Buick Regal revealed live at the Hollywood Palladium originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Buick Regal returns with four-cylinder only engine lineup

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:12:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Buick

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

Once up a time in the '80s, it was fashionable in Detroit to create so-called Euro-sedans by taking conventional mainstream grandma-mobiles and painting all the chrome black, dispensing with the white walls and installing overly stiff springs. Fortunately, those dark days are gone and General Motors and Ford at least have gotten their heads around how to build the kind of cars they sell in Europe. Just bring over European cars.

When bankrupt GM decreed that Buick would survive as one of the company's four core brands, it quickly became clear that Buick would need more models to flesh out its showrooms alongside the LaCrosse and Enclave. It wasn't long before it became obvious that the next addition would be a new Regal. The Regal is already available in Buick's biggest market of China and it's coming back to North America in 2010 as a 2011 model. Anyone familiar with the Opel Insignia will immediately recognize the Regal as the same car with the brand's trademark waterfall grille swapped in. Read on after the jump for more information.

Gallery: 2011 Buick Regal

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal returns with four-cylinder only engine lineup

2011 Buick Regal returns with four-cylinder only engine lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Buick Regal sneak peek shows face we already know

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Videos, Buick

Click above to watch the video after the jump

A couple of weeks back, General Motors officially announced that its next new Buick will carry a very familiar name: Regal. Two days later, the apparent U.S. spec Regal was added to Buick's Facebook page, revealing that the Regal sold here in the States will essentially be the same as the China spec Buick sedan, which is itself essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia. Got all that?

The only changes we noticed in the photo include a slightly larger and more rounded-off version of Buick's chrome waterfall grille and redesigned lower openings below the grille and headlamps along with the new squared-off fog lamps. After seeing a new "viral" video from Buick, we're more sure than ever that the FB Regal is the U.S. model.

Hit the jump to check out Buick's latest tease of the new Regal. The video was shot guerrilla hand-held style and it reveals nothing other than the front end of Buick's newest sedan. We do see, however, that the grille, badging and lower fascia shown in the video appear to be a match to the photo shown above. Judging by the uptick in Regal info emanating from the General, we're guessing the information floodgates will be opened up very soon.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

[Source: Buick via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Buick Regal sneak peek shows face we already know

VIDEO: Buick Regal sneak peek shows face we already know originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: High-performance Buick Regal GS may be coming

John Neff — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Buick, Rumormill

Opel Insignia OPC (with a Buick grille photoshopped on for fun) - Click above for high-res image gallery

Earlier this week General Motors showed its dealers the new Regal and confirmed that the name and car would be coming back to Buick's lineup soon. GM Inside News has been keeping close tabs on what the dealers are being told, which reportedly includes that two four-cylinder engines will be available at launch, the base a 2.4-liter direct injected engine producing 180 horsepower and up-level turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter producing about 220 hp.

The most interesting tid bit of info reportedly told to dealers is that the new Regal will also eventually have a sport model. Rumored to be named the GS, the sport model would reportedly feature the same direct injected 3.6-liter V6 as the LaCrosse. It will also reportedly include 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes and be available with all-wheel drive like the rest of the Regal lineup. Unlike those other Regals, however, the GS may also be offered with a six-speed manual transmission.

Based on the Euro-market Opel Insignia, the new Regal GS will have a nice precedent already in the Insignia OPC. The OPC features a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 producing 325 hp, a six-speed manual transmission and a Haldex-based all-wheel-drive system borrowed from the Saab Turbo X. In fact, the Opel Insignia OPC Sport Tourer (wagon) unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September was one of the most lust-worthy production cars we came across.

Gallery: Opel Insignia OPC/Vauxhall Insignia VXR

[Source: GM Inside News]

Rumormill: High-performance Buick Regal GS may be coming originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NA-spec Buick Regal gets posted on Facebook

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Buick

Just the other day, General Motors announced that Buick's next injection of fresh product will revive the Regal nameplate that's been absent in the United States for six full years. Based on the same Epsilon II platform as the latest 2010 Buick LaCrosse but about seven inches shorter, the Regal is expected to hit the market with a price that's thousands less than its bigger brother.

Though the Regal has been on sale in China for a little while now, the North American model will apparently differ slightly from that sedan, as can be seen in the photo above, which was recently captured by an eagle-eyed Facebook user and uploaded to Buick's official FB page.

Most readily apparent is the altered front fascia, which features a slightly larger and more rounded-off version of Buick's trademark chrome waterfall grille. Also note the redesigned lower openings below the grille and headlamps along with the new squared-off fog lamps. Thankfully, it seems the American Regal might not sport the chrome fender vents of the Chinese model.

[Source: Facebook]

NA-spec Buick Regal gets posted on Facebook originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Officially Official: Regal named next mid-size sedan for Buick

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick

Chinese-market 2010 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

Drum-roll please. After making a point of pausing to listen to its dealers for input and suggestions, Buick has just announced the name of its next mid-size sedan. Plucking a nameplate from its not-too-distant past, the brand has introduced its newest model for America, the 2010 Buick Regal. Believe it or not but it's been six years since any Buick wore the iconic Regal tag, until it was affixed to the Chinese market Insignia-based sedan this year.

Following on the heels of the Enclave and LaCrosse, the Regal hopes to continue the march towards reestablishing Buick as a premium brand worldwide. There's no word yet on what changes we can expect from the Chinese model shown above, but since it's based on the Euro-market Opel Insignia, it will most likely be a fine ride. The full presser is after the jump.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

[Source: Buick]

Continue reading Officially Official: Regal named next mid-size sedan for Buick

Officially Official: Regal named next mid-size sedan for Buick originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM's Docherty says 'No' to Pontiac G8-based Buick Grand National, promises two more sedans

Dan Roth — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Buick, GMC

Susan Docherty, General Manager of Buick and GMC, recently made some time available for a General Motors Fastlane blog webchat to discuss the futures of her brands. Stating plainly that "every new product we launch must be a home run. No second chances," indicates that at least some GM employees realize that the automaker is not going to coast through this latest crisis of consumer confidence. The stakes are make-or-break for the company, and initial feedback from the new LaCrosse has been very positive, but Buick can't survive with a lone great product. Chat participants lobbed questions about what's coming, and the answers reveal a hopeful, and hopefully well-executed, future.

Firstly, as great a car as it is, the Pontiac G8 is not going to slide over to Buick as a Grand National or something else. While Docherty herself cited the GN as one of her favorite Buicks ever, Pontiac is clearly in hospice, clutching a DNR. What will be coming are two new sedans - both junior to the LaCrosse - which will eventually top the sedan line at the Tri-Shield. One of the new sedans will be a compact, likely based on the new Opel Astra, while the other is headed for midsize waters, probably as the Regal.

Perhaps more exciting for those wishing to see a sportier Buick, intimations that a Riviera coupe may show up. "It would be a nice addition" says Docherty, though it's doubtlessly more important for GM to get its bread-and-butter squared away without getting distracted by a spicier coupe and its almost certainly smaller sales projections. Still, a Camaro-underpinned two-door Buick with classically gorgeous styling would certainly generate attention, wouldn't it? Ah, we can dream...

[GM Fastlane blog]

GM's Docherty says 'No' to Pontiac G8-based Buick Grand National, promises two more sedans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SAIC to buy Opel Insignia platform for Roewe?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick, GM

Chinese-spec Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to an unnamed source from the 21st Century Business Herald in China (via Gasgoo), Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp (SAIC) has been in talks with General Motors since last March to purchase the Eplison II platform (as used by the latest Opel Insignia and the Chinese-market Buick Regal) for its next Roewe 750 midsize sedan. The fact that SAIC is GM's Chinese partner may seem to lend a bit of credibility to these rumors, though SAIC and General Motors have both initially denied any knowledge of the platform-sharing plan.

While all of Roewe's sedans have so far been based on the aging underpinnings of the former Rover brand from the U.K., recent concepts - such as the attractive N1 from the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year - show that the Chinese automaker is serious about designing attractive machines for its home market and beyond.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

[Source: Gasgoo]

SAIC to buy Opel Insignia platform for Roewe? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM hits two million Buick sales in China

Chris Shunk — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:34:00 EST

Filed under: China, Buick, GM

2009 Buick Regal (China Spec) - click above for high-res image gallery

It took General Motors eight years to sell one million Buicks in China, but the second million came in only three. Brisk auto sales in the land of the Great Wall are part of the reason for the increase, but the General has also stepped up its product lineup with new offerings, including the Regal, LaCrosse, and Park Avenue. Shanghai GM's two-millionth Buick was a red Regal, delivered to a customer in the southern city of Guangzhou.

While those vehicles have brought some high-end class to GM Shanghai's Buick operation, they haven't come close to the success of the smaller Excelle. Shanghai GM has sold 900,000 copies of the Excelle sedan, hatch, and wagon since 2003, and sales are still going strong with 94,000 units moved in the first five months of 2009.

While Buick has struggled as a brand here in the States, the marquee has enjoyed blockbuster success in China. Buick was a smash success in China in the 1930s, as provincial presidents and emperors chose the brand over more austere offerings from the likes of Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz, and it appears some of that goodwill has been projected into modern times.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

Continue reading GM hits two million Buick sales in China

GM hits two million Buick sales in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM recalling 1.4 million passenger cars over potential engine fires

Chris Paukert — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Buick, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just announced a major recall covering nearly 1.5 million General Motors passenger cars from the late 90's and early 2000s. The recall affects various Buick, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac models equipped with normally aspirated versions of GM's much-utilized 3800 3.8-liter V6.

Apparently, some of these engines can drop oil onto the exhaust manifold during hard braking. If that manifold has gotten hot enough and the oil dribbles below the heat shield, it can start a small fire. The flames can then engulf the plastic spark plug wire channel, potentially resulting in a full-on engine compartment fire.

The fix? Dealer service departments will be asked to remove said spark plug wire retention channel from the front of the engine bay, and then retrofit two new retainers.

Models Affected:

1997-2003 Buick Regal
2000-2003 Chevrolet Impala
1998-1999 Chevrolet Lumina
1998-2003 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1998-1999 Oldsmobile Intrigue
1997-2003 Pontiac Grand Prix

The recall is slated to begin in May. Official NHTSA Release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading GM recalling 1.4 million passenger cars over potential engine fires

GM recalling 1.4 million passenger cars over potential engine fires originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 12:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: Chinese-spec Buick Regal looks darn good

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Chinese-spec Buick Regal

General Motors has just released a huge gallery of photos of its new Chinese-only Regal sedan. Anyone who has seen the Opel Insignia will immediately recognize the Regal as a badge engineered version of Opel's mid-size model. Aside from the standard Buick waterfall grille and the badges, the new Regal is essentially the Insignia. Prior to the launch of that car last summer, we had been expecting that car to arrive stateside in the next year or two as the next-generation Saturn Aura. However, GM delayed that program earlier this year and it may in fact be dead.

When GM revealed its viability plan to congress earlier this month, Buick, along with Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac were announced as the core U.S. brands, with Saturn on the backburner. GM has not provided any indication of whether it will offer the Regal in the US market as a Buick, but the Epsilon II platform it uses will also sit under the new LaCrosse and the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu so it should have no trouble passing US safety regs. With Buick being a core brand and only having the LaCrosse, Lucerne and Enclave right now a fourth model might be helpful. Some suggest that it could be offered as a lower cost four-cylinder alternative to the LaCrosse, but there's no word yet on how much the Regal will cost to manufacture. We hope to learn more about Buick's plans at the Detroit show in a couple of weeks when the LaCrosse is finally unveiled.

Gallery: 2009 Chinese-spec Buick Regal

[Source: General Motors]

Pics Aplenty: Chinese-spec Buick Regal looks darn good originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Dec 2008 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China's Insignia-based Buick Regal revealed

Chris Shunk — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, China, Buick

Click above for high-res gallery of Buick's new Regal in China

General Motors has unveiled China's new Buick Regal (or at least official pics of it have found their way onto the web), and save for some cosmetic changes, it's basically a badge-engineered Opel Insignia. That's by design though, as Buick is GM's top-selling brand in the land of the great wall, and the new mid-size sedan from Opel has the best chance for success donning a Buick logo. Comparing the Insignia and the new Buick Regal back to back shows that GM simply popped out the Opel grille, got rid of the lightning logo and retrofitted Buick badging for Buick-loving Chinese. The Opel Insignia is a head-turning sedan as it is, and after looking at these official Regal pics, it doesn't look half bad with a Buick grille, either.

The new Regal is scheduled to hit Chinese showrooms in December will arrive with a choice of two powertrains: a 164-hp 2.4L four-cylinder engine and 211-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder, both of which come standard with a six-speed manual transmission. The naturally aspirated four-banger has a leisurely 0-60 time of 9.8 seconds, while the turbo motor scoots to 60 in 7.8 seconds.

We've been hoping for our own U.S. version of the new Insignia, and recent news of GM product delays could push the next-gen Saturn Aura even further into the future. Meanwhile, China gets a Buick version this year and the new Chevy Cruze, which we may not receive until 2011.

Gallery: Chinese Buick Regal Unveiled

[Source: CarScoop]

China's Insignia-based Buick Regal revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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