Buick Ponders Another Crossover, CBS Showed It to Us First

[FierySolstice]

Originally Posted by nsap

Did you see the clay model? It doesn't even look remotely like the SRX...hell people thought it was an Enclave!

Platform sharing is always going to happen. It has to.

But it looks like Cadillac and Buick are going to be interchangable? They ARE going after the same customers, who cares if the design are different. They are both LUXURY vehicles! Do you really need an Equinox, Terrain, Buick CUV, and the SRX??? Really?!?! That makes no sense what so ever!

[kmacleod]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Platform-sharing is not badge engineering.

Does anybody complain that the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES have shared a platform for 5 generations now? The Honda Accord and Acura TSX are platform twins, too.

If the Buick version has distinct sheet metal and styling, and Cadillac maintains some unique features, I see no need for concern.

Agreed.

Volkswagon Toureg and Porsche Cayenne = Platform Sharing.

Buick and Cadillac can do it too with enough differentiation...

Ken

[wescoent]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

Audi A3 and VW GTI/Golf.

VW Rabbit 4-door and GTI 4-door are $19,340 and $23,830 respectively.

The Audi A3 is $26,920.

Neatly stacked on top of one another.

[saturnista]

It is totally OK to have a Cadillac and a Buick in the same segment.
1. Many people don't know GM owns both
2. They are totally different vehicles; there is a bigger difference between a Caddy and Buick than there is between a Hyundai and a Lexus. I'm not a Caddy guy: I think Sopranos and rappers. Buick to me seems more subtle. If you don't offer both you are losing customers.

[ne_one]

Originally Posted by TAMark

No the platform doesn't need to be sharded across all 4 remaining brands. Remember all the talk about reducing the number of models?

One doesn't necessarily lead to the other.

Platform sharing is a strategic move and a wise investment. Cranking out 4 variations of the same model is a concern.

[civilzues]

YES!!! They should have one. Some posted that if you don't need an 7/8 CUV-what do you get for Buick? Before you had to head over to Saturn/Pontiac/Chevy.
DO IT!

[TruckMan]

Rebadging = BAD
Platform Sharing = Good

It appears that GM has learned its lesson on rebadging cars, for the most part. I have no problem with platform sharing as long as the vehicles look different enough.

There are many benefits to platform sharing - lesser engingeering/design costs, less unique parts to design/purchase/manufacture, more market share in that class, more choices for the consumer.

The only negative is that it's less likely to achieve #1 status in the class. Look at the Silverado/Sierra. They are usually numbers 2 and 4 respectively in the full-size truck market. If the GMC was gone, the Silverado would probably better the Ford, but GM would probably have less total sales than with both vehicles available.

Obviously, one vehicle won't appeal to everybody. So, the more choices GM has available, the more likely it'll be that one of the vehicles will apeal to that person. It's marketing.

[kenman923]

Sounds to me like the Terrain is going to have a short cycle and will make way for the Buick Everest. It's the beginning of the end of GMC.

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by TakuZaKyousei

Many simply don't see that the consumer could care less. Just like dating, Looks normally when out in the beginning, then you fall in love with the insides.
The SRX is gorgeous, and if this Buick looks anything like the Enclave it will be as well. A test drive, badge, and a look at the price tag of either will make the decision for 90% of the buyers.

Anyone hating on this creation, but is tolerant of the Audi configurations is a hypocrite. It seems that many of those Audi advocates dismiss the fact that their mass sells have FWD/AWD layouts. The A4, A6, and even sport TT are examples.

A new, logical thinking, non GM bashing member of GMI!
Welcome aboard sir!

[jorgesalazar521@msn.com]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Platform-sharing is not badge engineering.

Does anybody complain that the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES have shared a platform for 5 generations now? The Honda Accord and Acura TSX are platform twins, too.

If the Buick version has distinct sheet metal and styling, and Cadillac maintains some unique features, I see no need for concern.

toyota camry platform is under every vehicle that is mid-size whether its a lex or toy. as many as 10 variations. even the LS is a camry.
i wish gm had malibu, theta, 2dr., mpv, crosover, & .... then the premium versions. on same platform. the same for cobalt platform

[CUtiger08]

Originally Posted by TakuZaKyousei

Precisely. This RWD vs FWD stuff is getting old. Especially since AWD is now able to be programmed within the configuration to be "sporty" or soft.

The only problem with this idea is the proportions.

The FWD SRX looks like it's about to do a faceplant because the front wheels are back near the doors and visually (and physically) has most of its mass is ahead of the front wheels.



Move the new SRX's front wheels up just a couple of inches and I bet it would look 10 times better. Compare it to a RWD crossover, which has shorter front overhangs and more distance between the front wheels and doors. Much better looking in terms of overall proportions, and far closer to 50/50 weight distribution both visually and physically.






Also, everyone keeps pointing at Toyota/Lexus or VW/Audi as justification for a FWD Cadillac, but that completely ignores the fact that GM has 2 entries in the near-luxury/luxury market, with Cadillac supposedly the higher-end one. You can have a near-luxury car that shares everything under the skin with a mass-market model, but I don't think you can have two that are simply "curved" and "creased" versions of the exact same thing.

At the very least, you'll end up splitting up the segment and have less sales for each model than either would have had individually and the biggest competition has (see Silverado/Sierra vs F-series). And anyone who thinks the Cadillac will have notably more features/technology needs to compare the new Lacrosse with the CTS... not much, if any gap, and some would even argue the Lacrosse gives you more for the money.

[GMsElite]

The SRX should be RWD IMO and of course be based off the Sigma platform. My reasoning, Cadillac should be shooting for their old title as "The Standard of the World". Therefore, they must have some exclusivity, that being platforms, engines, and technology.

Buick's midsized crossover can be placed on the TE and fight Lexus' RX.

I am curious to see how GM will differentiate the SRX and TE Buick if produced outside of sheet metal. Also, I am hungry to see how the 2.8 DI Turbo SRX stacks up against the BMW X5. This for me will settle the FWD Vs. RWD debate.

[CrunkedRL]

Did anyone read the caption under the clay model pic. From what I read the model references the future design direction of the Enclave not an additional crossover.


http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/06/10...d-on-cbs-news/

[nsap]

Originally Posted by CrunkedRL

Did anyone read the caption under the clay model pic. From what I read the model references the future design direction of the Enclave not an additional crossover.


http://www.egmcartech.com/2009/06/10...d-on-cbs-news/

Several publications have assumed it was the Enclave. GM never stated it was the Enclave. Even if it was the Enclave (however it is not), it does not erase the fact that GM is considering a TE crossover for Buick. That has been rumored for some time now.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by kmacleod

Agreed.

Volkswagon Toureg and Porsche Cayenne = Platform Sharing.

Buick and Cadillac can do it too with enough differentiation...

Ken

But they are NOT competing for the same market segment and buyer group!!