Next Buick Excelle to be sold in North America?

[nadepalma]

SOURCE: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/s...n-to-us-range/

Troy Clarke, GM’s president of North America, has also confirmed that a new entry-level Buick sedan was under consideration but stated that no final decision had been made. According to its dealers, Buick customers are demanding a vehicle smaller than the LaCrosse sedan and that GM’s alternatives, such as the Pontiac G6, doesn’t appeal to the typical Buick buyer.

Current-generation Excelle (Taiwan):

[nadepalma]

There have been many on GMI who have stated that GM needs to utilize its size and bring over some of the products they sell overseas.

Well it seems as though perhaps someone at GM has the same idea.

Members like Ming and myself have stated in the past that perhaps bringing over the Excelle (or some similar sized vehicle) might do well to bolster the bottom of Buick's lineup. In addition to this, it would help to off-set a possible (and probably) move to an all RWD Pontiac lineup a few years down the line.

And of course, they are talking next-gen and not the current generation....and that means DeltaII as it will be built out around the world.

Intersting if true....especially if the article's speculation that the car would be imported form China is true. You'd have to think that since it is a Delta II product it could be built alongside the next gen Cobalt/Astra/G5 (if there is a next-gen G5) at either Lordstown or in Mexico. But importing it from China would be an interesting move on the part of GM -- and speaks to the importance of the Chinese market as a manufacturing base.

[mcool]

The EP II product will feel and look smaller than a Lacrosse on the outside, but offer better space and utility on the inside. Maybe Buick could use an imported Excelle, but I think the EP II Lacrosse replacement will achieve this goal by building a better proportioned vehicle.

[HoeyHimself]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

The "typical Buick buyer". You mean people over 80?

That is something that needs to, and I really think CAN change.

There needs to be more creativity, which GM is really starting the grasp once again, but Buick has potential still.

I think that Buick can be everything and more then what Ford needs Mercury to be.

Classic, refined, American luxury that doesnt take notes nessecarly from Germany. As I have said before, think of the Mercury Marauder..think of shades of black, brushed aluminum, and hints of chrome. This can all be done AND provide a division that can still appeal to the blue hairs (which whether anyone likes it or not, these people still need cars.)

Buick IMO has even more of a chance then Pontiac....I would buy a Park Ave over a G8 without hesitation...and I am in my twenties.

[63cat]

I think a Buick compact could compete with the Audi A-4 types. DOn't call it the Excelle, though. Here in the U-S that conjures up memories of this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Excel

[ChevroletRevived]

GMI reported this in our Future of Buick special:
GMInside Exclusive: The Exciting Future of Buick
Most likely named Skylark, replacing Excelle (an unimaginative name, BTW).

[civilzues]

Awesome....
now lets see how long this takes...

[mgescuro]

Barfity Barf Barf Barf.

I DO NOT believe Excelle/Skylark should be in teh Buick lineup.

Lacrosse should go on Epsilon II. That will bring it in line, size-wise to a "smaller" car. And if Buick wants to be creative about it, use a short an dlong wheelbase version.

Lucern should be the next level up, followed by Riviera and Park Avenue. Enclave will be the ONLY SUV at Buick.

I fail to see why Buick needs more than 5 cars. And frankly, I don't see why Pontiac would need more than 5 as well.

The BPG dealerships will be bursting from the seams with all this product, it will destroy the dealership experience.

GM needs to understand who the heck would be buying the Excelle in the US. I highly doubt that the "traditional Buick buyers" would be wanting a car like Excelle.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

GM needs to understand who the heck would be buying the Excelle in the US. I highly doubt that the "traditional Buick buyers" would be wanting a car like Excelle.

Agreed to a certain extent. Certainly the "traditional" (read old 75yrs+) Buick buyer wouldn't be interested in it. But what about Buick's defined TARGET demographic? (which I still am unclear on who those people are) I assume they're going after the Lexus aspirationals, not necessarilly Lexus buyers, but people who would LIKE to have Lexus, but can't quite afford one.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

Agreed to a certain extent. Certainly the "traditional" (read old 75yrs+) Buick buyer wouldn't be interested in it. But what about Buick's defined TARGET demographic? (which I still am unclear on who those people are) I assume they're going after the Lexus aspirationals, not necessarilly Lexus buyers, but people who would LIKE to have Lexus, but can't quite afford one.

No. Because Excelle isn't an "aspirational" vehicle. It's an economy car. And the next gen version will be on Delta II. And even if Buick were to throw a whole bunch of bells and whistles into the Excelle, a Delta II car is not a Lexus. Even if it manages to compete with the IS, it's going to do a half-assed job of doing so.

ANd I think Buick can do a lot better than that.

[FoMoCo Fan]

I agree. Buick needs something to compete with the TL and the MKZ. It seems a EP-II Lacrosse would do that fine.

[56 Starchief]

NO NO NO NO NO

1000 TIMES NO


No tinny junk for Buick. Did we not learn from previous small Buicks, including the last Skylark? This one "might" be better, but this is no luxury car.

There is NO market for it. Why? Look at the previous-generation IS at Buick's new-era archrival, Lexus. It was dowdy by 3 series standards and not the least bit exciting. And it sold, compared to the rest of the lineup, like the bore it was.

Now Buick makes a J-body-remixed Skylark with some fake wood and leather...who the hell is going to buy that? Lord help us if it has any Daewoo or Suzuki parts or a Family II engine a la Aveo. Never mind that there is a Pontiac G5 sitting across the lot...

Fine for Chevy, no for Buick. Buick dealers seem to be their own worst enemies these days.

P.S. To Buick Managers: Don't you have more important things to worry about, like getting Buick back to meaning true luxury, before moving downward? Give us some thoroughly competitive RWD and FWD luxury cars. Also not a fan of bringing back the Regal/Park Avenue name...those names are grannied forever...bring back the hot names of the 50s/60s:

Electra
Roadmaster
Riviera
Special
Super (not a W/K body FWD thing)
Invicta
Wildcat
Skylark (NOT on a Delta)

[eaton53]

Originally Posted by HoeyHimself

That is something that needs to, and I really think CAN change.

IMO, the Enclave is the first step.

I got the Big Enclave Brochure from the dealer (and it is BIG) and left it laying on my desk at work. Many people saw it and picked it up... it was getting the "wow, what is that?" and the big thumbs up.

Not one person had ever seen or heard of it before, which doesn't say much for wonderful GM marketing. And few of these people were even halfway to 80.

[Firebird00]

From that front shot I think its a good looking car. It looks modern and classy.

[GM-Joe]

It would be a good idea to test the waters and see if such a vehicle is doable for Buick. With raising energy, a small classy ride is something that would interest woman and eventually get there target market down around 60.

Don't forget about Saab, they could turn a highend Delta into a 92 2.0T.