Buick Enclave Update

[wpbharry]

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103754

Buick names crossover 'Enclave'; vehicle to likely bow at Detroit show
JAMIE LAREAU | Automotive News
Posted Date: 12/12/05
DETROIT -- General Motors has named its 2008 Buick crossover the Enclave, sources say.

GM probably will unveil the Enclave, which is built on the Lambda architecture, at the Detroit auto show in January, the sources say.

Enclave production will begin in early 2007. The vehicle, which should debut in spring 2007 as a 2008 model, replaces the Rendezvous sport wagon and Rainier mid-sized SUV.

Analysts and dealers say the Enclave will be a full-sized crossover with three rows of seats and a standard V-6 engine. The vehicle should have a base price near $27,000, with prices rising to $40,000 for a fully equipped model, sources say

[paul8488]

This'll be a nice test of how smart GM is going to be from here on out. WIll we have three almost-identical crossovers, or will different personalities be designed in? The Aztek and Rendezvous were very much different... hopefully the same distinction will be made between these three.

The potentially promising bit is they're all planned and being worked on now... whereas the Torrent (for example) seemed to be a late addition, to the point where nothing major was easily (read: cheaply) changed.

[wpbharry]

This article is the first time I've seen the words "full-sized crossovers" being used. Fine, but that means I'm not interested.

I wasn't sure about their size - it's been kinda hard to tell from the spy shots. So, I guess these are Pacifica-sized. Should sell well, if done (and priced) right.

[AdmiralViscen]

I still don't see why P-B-G showrooms need two of these things.

[91z4me]

Am I blind? I don't see the chop where is it on the page?

Edit I thought I read chop somewhere. I am just tired today.

[Quickening]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

I still don't see why P-B-G showrooms need two of these things.

This really doesn't make sense to me either. You know there will be a GMC Acadia Denali that will most likely blow the Enclave out of the water. Theses babies better be totally different inside and out.

[CarShark]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

I still don't see why P-B-G showrooms need two of these things.

I still don't see why Chevrolet isn't getting one of these.

[NorthSilverado]

The Rendevous needs a replacement

[91z4me]

Originally Posted by CarShark

I still don't see why Chevrolet isn't getting one of these.

Who says there won't be eventually? From the start of the crossover Lambda's (2007) I can't see to much room in the Chevy showroom for a Lambda. They have the Malibu Maxx, Equinox, Trailblazer, TB EXT, Tahoe, and Suburban. Also they have the Uplander which will be replaced, by the Lambda Minivan by 2008-2009.

Now we know the EXT TB dies soon. Also how long do you think the regular length TB will last? I could see Chevy getting a SWB 5 seat Lambda crossover when the current TB dies but not before then, read as past 2010.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by CarShark

I still don't see why Chevrolet isn't getting one of these.

Or more precisely... why does GMC (a truck only company) going to have a crossover? If anything, it's Chevy that's supposed to have this. Oh well.

[mjd1001]

I agree also. If GM is pushing dealers to have Pontiac, GMC, and Buick all under one roof, then why are 2 of them getting a version of this product?

Saturn Yes. One of the above 3 yes. But 2 of the above three is questionable. How about just one for Saturn and one for the group above?

Chevrolet can get one also...but they pretty much have the market covered with an Equinox, Tahoe, Suburban, Uplander, and Small and full sized trucks with extended cabs.

[paul8488]

Old habits die hard, I guess! Done right I can see this working... maybe GM wants to broaden the appeal of GMC... it's actually one of GM's stronger brands (second highest sales, above-average residual values), and while there sure are incentives on them, they likely carry a slightly higher margin than equivalent Chevrolet trucks and SUVs. GMC has historically been 'real' trucks... but there's no reason a really good CUV can't be a real GMC. Hopefully Pontiac will then focus on building sporty cars, and not have to worry about minivans and SUVs. Buick needs more hardware, and while I'd rather see cars, the Enclave is replacing two (actually three, if you count the eventually-to-be-canned-Terazza minivan) SUVs, so this actually helps to streamline things, instead of clogging them more. Lets just keep our fingers crossed for significant differences between the triplets!

[CHRISGTO04]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

I still don't see why P-B-G showrooms need two of these things.

Versatility man. It helps keep the customer at the dealership instead of going to a different competitor.

[Gm786]

Sounds good.

[gmhashope]

I don't think it will matter that Buick and GMC both have versions. I am curious to see how many dealers combine into a P-B-G dealer.