Buick's Inside Plans & Why the Park Avenue Won't Come to the USA

[63cat]

I have a feeling a convertible/coupe Riviera is on its way. There will be a big splash next summer for the Olympics in Beijing, and what a good time to unveil it.

[camaro_freak]

Sales will not gain much if any with these "Super" models. I hope marketshare doesn't slide further.

2010 in 2009 is a LONGGGGG time to wait for new product? Will Buick survive?

[ghughes]

These and -a small one hyundai azzera - + the three concepts that lutz developed at chrysler - atlantique, chronos and phaeton - all perfect for buick - look at them

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by 63cat

This seems to make sense. I've never been a big fan or either LaCrosse, Chinese or American. I do think when it debuts it needs a new name: maybe Invicta or Wildcat. LaCrosse has some baggage and since it is a whole new design, why not bring back a heritage name.

Jan '09 isn't too far off. Maybe we'll see it Detroit next year.

The Lucerne has been a good seller as is, so an improved one can only sell even better.

No more new names. All this constant name changing is one of GM's main problems. A lot of people go into a dealership wanting to buy the same model of the car they currently drive, but newer. If they don't make that model any more, they are more inclined to look elsewhere. It turns an automatic repeat purchase into a maybe.

How long has Toyota made the Camry?
How long has Toyota made the Corolla?
How long has Honda made the Accord?
How long has Honda made the Civic?

Keeping the same name forever works beautifully-provided you update the product regularly.

[yoblues]

My only comment is I hope this move to RWD is going to work. They are looking for 100,000+ Zeta sales from Buick and I assume from both Pontiac and Chevy also with these platforms. I just hope the demand is there for all these RWD cars. I also think their projection of EPI 2 LaCrosse (please dump that name) sales is on the low side. I think they could do 100,000 EPI 2's. It's the Zeta I am worried about.

[63cat]

I would tend to agree, but I don't know that LaCrosse is a strong name.

[exGMer]

The difference is that Camry, Accord and Civic names have earned outstanding reputations by consistent quality. Problematic cars of the 80's and 90's have damaged many of GM's classic car names. For example, would naming a new Buick "Skylark" be a plus?

I think the bottom line is that first they need great product to establish (or reestablish) a model's reputation (old or new name - doesn't matter), then they can keep the model names for their winners consistent ala Camry, Accord. This is what caddy did with the CTS and it's going to take several years for Buick to do the same thing.

[Geotpf]

Originally Posted by exGMer

The difference is that Camry, Accord and Civic names have earned outstanding reputations by consistent quality. Problematic cars of the 80's and 90's have damaged many of GM's classic car names. For example, would naming a new Buick "Skylark" be a plus?

I think the bottom line is that first they need great product to establish (or reestablish) a model's reputation (old or new name - doesn't matter), then they can keep the model names for their winners consistent ala Camry, Accord. This is what caddy did with the CTS and it's going to take several years for Buick to do the same thing.

Well, yeah. One could argue that all the old names were damaged beyond belief. Of course, under that logic they should rename the entire Buick brand to ZowieCars or something. But the names have all been changed already-don't do it again. The small Buick will be a LaCrosse and the large one will be the Lucerne-we are stuck with them now.

[FoMoCo Fan]

My educated guess: Buick will get a LWB Zeta sedan, in about 2 MY, with more unique styling than the Park Avenue Holden rebadge (meaning a Velite-esque esque grille & front clip, and rear end) and an upgraded interior.

[exGMer]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

Well, yeah. One could argue that all the old names were damaged beyond belief. Of course, under that logic they should rename the entire Buick brand to ZowieCars or something. But the names have all been changed already-don't do it again. The small Buick will be a LaCrosse and the large one will be the Lucerne-we are stuck with them now.

I think that's the same point I'm trying to make. If Buick continues to improve on existing product, the reputation for those model names will get established. Lucerne may not be everyone's favorite name, but it is getting a decent reputation. Further improvements should bolster that reputation. The the name itself doesn't really matter that much, it is the reputation that the name gets associated with. How many people think "Camry" is a great name? I don't. It is just a name with a great reputation.

[mbukukanyau]

From a pricing Standpoint, I can see the case .. that the current Park Avenue in China would not do well in the States..
Caddy needs to push past the $100K mark with its flagship sedan to justify a buick that expensive

[Chaz_23]

Why anyone in this country would buy a Suzuki is beyond me. Suzuki should have left the US years ago.
You're going from a supercharged Bonneville to a Suzuki station wagon?!? Ouch...

Originally Posted by Ming

Not always the case. In fact, I have just recently ordered a new car that I long asked for GM to bring here (see my "suggestion" in my previous post here for a clue). Suzuki is offering me what I want, even if GM USA (another clue) won't. Should be arriving at the dealership in less than a week. May not have the Buick badge or even a GM badge, but it could have...

[Ming]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

Why anyone in this country would buy a Suzuki is beyond me. Suzuki should have left the US years ago.
You're going from a supercharged Bonneville to a Suzuki station wagon?!? Ouch...

I'm keeping the Bonnie. Initially thought I'd trade it in on an Impala but decided not to. What they'll give me will never seem like enough to justify giving it up. Decided to keep it and get a cheap sub-20K car, preferably a wagon with decent interior room. HHR didn't live up to that. And the retro styling's novelty wore off on me. My girl says she may drive the Bonnie when she goes back to work. The 'zuk will be a daily driver. I used to own a Chevy Metro at one point....

Still...your reaction is not unexpected, but I have made my love of station wagons clear for some years now.

And Suzuki sales keep hitting records, so its not like I'm buying an Isuzu. If Suzuki was in imminent danger of leaving the market here, I wouldn't buy from them.

[roteague]

Originally Posted by neshapop

Domestic car buyers don't want to spend 30K+ for Buick. Period.

They will spend that kind of money on Toyota/Nissan/Honda easily.

I don't know. I priced a Chrysler Pacifica at about $36K. I am seriously considering one - I drove one recently and loved it.

[SonicAerio]

Originally Posted by Chaz_23

Why anyone in this country would buy a Suzuki is beyond me. Suzuki should have left the US years ago.

Although Suzuki makes vehicles that many would not find anything special about them, they do have a nich of creating cheap, reliable, and practical vehicles. They arn't at the top of the list in manufacturers locally or globally, but they are no where near the bottom either. I think they are comfortable being in the middle of the pack....

The stigma of the old swift(mainly Metro) and Samuri has damaged the brand name/recognition/perception here in the states but that is slowly changing as Ming noted with growth in sales.

I recommend you take a look at the Suzuki dealership next time you pass one...you might be quite suprised, especially when comparing them to other vehicles in their class or by price....

I would like to mention that Suzuki is the only manuacturer to be profitable for the past 50 years consecutively....Not even big bad Toyota managed that...so they must be doing somthing right

Gratz Ming on the Wagon!!!