Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Buick's new compact sedan spotted in China]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/buicks-new-compact-sedan-spotted-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/buicks-new-compact-sedan-spotted-in-china/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/04/buicks-new-compact-sedan-spotted-in-china/#commentsFiled under: ,


One of the two new sedans that Buick has promised to introduce in the next 12-18 months is a compact based on the new Opel Astra. We had a chance to see the new car a few weeks ago at the GM design studios in Warren, Michigan, but no photography was allowed.

That same car has now been spotted in the wild in China where it seems likely to be very popular. It won't look anything like the current almost unsellable Astra available from Saturn and will likely only be sold in North America as a four-door sedan. So far, the Astra itself has only been shown as a five-door hatch although that may change when it is publicly displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this month.

At this time, there is no word on what powertrains will go into the North American Buick, but four cylinder engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0 liters are likely. The 1.4-liter turbo that will go into the Cruze is also a possibility. GM has said that a C-segment car like this could be built at its Lake Orion, MI assembly plant alongside the new Aveo, though it could also be built in Detroit with the Volt or in Lordstown, Ohio with the Cruze.

[Source: China Car Times]

Buick's new compact sedan spotted in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buickbuick astrabuick compact sedanBuickAstraBuickCompactSedanspyspy picsspy shotspy shotsSpyPicsSpyShotSpyShotsFri, 04 Sep 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #133]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/autoblog-podcast-133/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/autoblog-podcast-133/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/24/autoblog-podcast-133/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,


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The dynamic duo of Chris and Sam carry off Episode #133 of the Autoblog Podcast without a hitch. Though down a man, the pair didn't cheap out on topics or duration, it's the same podcast goodness. It kicks off with Hyundai's impressive showing in the recently released Initial Quality Survey results. From there, they hit Chrysler's RWD/FWD dilemma with its Sebring/Avenger replacement, the rumor that Mustangs could have had IRS for $100 per car, and reports of an Ecotec engine for the Buick LaCrosse. Keeping it on the Buick tip, spyshots of a Tri-Shield variant of the new 2010 Astra get mentioned. The nullification of all pre-bankruptcy liability claims against GM and Chrysler is next before talk settles briefly on Hyundai's 2010-on lineup and then turns to your questions. It almost seems like the Chris and Sam show is a juggernaut without that other guy. Thanks for listening, and please, keep your questions and comments rolling in to Podcast at Autoblog dot com.

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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #133

Autoblog Podcast #133 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Further bolstering rumors that the Buick brand is set to receive rebranded products from GM's European Opel division are reports from GM Inside News indicating that a small car based on the Astra platform - initially planned for the now-defunct Saturn brand - has been transferred to Buick's entry-level luxury division.

Assuming these rumors are true, we can expect to see the new Buick in North America in late 2011 as a 2012 model. At this point, nobody is sure if the car will show up as a hatchback or as a sedan or what the car will be named. Skylark anyone? No?

We're hardly convinced this is good news for Buick. While Buick-GMC dealerships that are about to lose the Pontiac brand might disagree with our take, we have to wonder if an entry-level Buick might compete with upper-level versions of the upcoming Chevy Cruze. Sound familiar to anyone else?

[Source: GM Inside News]

Rumormill: Buick Astra coming in 2011? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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