Should GM Sell Chinese Buick Regal in NA?

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by darndot

Did port holes even have a purpose back in the day?

The ventiports/portholes actually allowed air to flow into the engine bay, so they were functional. But sometimes, they were just ornamentation.

They came in 3 and 4 hole configuration, to denote "lower end" and "higher end" models. They later referred to V6 (3 holes) and V8 (4 holes) configurations.

Originally Posted by t-rex

If you wanna get porthole-technical... back in the 'day, only the Roadmaster had 4 "ventiports". The cheaper Supers and Specials only had three. And all had eight-cylinder engines...

**** the gdamm portholes. We're nearly a decade into the new millenium. Time to leave all the 1950s **** behind. And if you're gonna do the damn porthole thing, MAKE THEM ROUND. Square portholes? What ship has square portholes? The HMS Spongebob Squarepants?

I disagree. Keep the portholes.
I mean, Buick just revived the sweepspear. It provides a link to the past. And all great cars have that link. It's best Buick use everything in its arsenal in an attempt to become relevant.

And you're right about the Roadmaster. Only the highest end cars have 4 ventiports. Lower end cars had 3. Only recently did they come to signify V6 vs V8 engines.

[Joep76]

I also think this vehicle is better suitable for buick.
I hate to see Saturn go, but sales have proved that Opel designs don't fit that brand.
Make this a Buick regal as pictured as fast as you can. See how people respond.
I feel with the beatiful designs of opel givien to Buick. It will sell 2 times better than as a Saturn. Just watch and see.

[Joep76]

Originally Posted by sigma

Does this even require a serious answer. Duh. Yes. I've been advocating it coming as a Buick for as long as I've did the actual currency conversion from E to $ for the Insignia and figured out there was no way Saturn could demand those prices.

I agree 100%

[Bravada]

Like a Le Sabre/Century relationship instead of a Regal/Park Avenue relationship.

The LeSabre-Century relationship was an exact parallel of the Park Avenue-Regal relationship... In their last installments, the Regal was a more expensive version of the Century, while the Park Avenue was a more opulent LeSabre.

[Astra RL]

I think they would work well together, I think they would be even better if the new Excelle[Skylark] comes over too to complete the brand.
While this is probably not the best option, it is better than not bringing the Insignia over at all.

[ausrutherford]

Why dont they bring over the Park Avenue while their at it.

[Chuck Novak]

It must be brought to NA asap. I can see a resurgence for Buick like we saw at Cadillac. They said that would never happen, but it did and it can again.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

That looks perfect for the new Buick lineup. As for where it would fit, isn't it a bit shorter than the Invicta?

[Bravada]

There: More Detail on Buick lineup in China

[2002 Caddy]

1) Bring it
2) Its a Buick and
3) Can we have the Cadillac SLS too. Please.

[samkung]

Oh by the way, some good result from GM China, Shanghai GM sold 458,624 vehicles in 2008, the marjority of them would be Buick, and Chevy pick up some solid growth as well, increased by 13.4% to 158.358 vehicles.

For Cadillac, CTS sales went up 54.7% compare to 2007, and SAAB went up by 35.3#

In regards to the NEW Regal, 6000 of them has been sold in the first month since its debut, plus 10,000 or so ordered from customers across China. Think 2009 will be a good year for GM in China.

PS: The new Cruze will be made by Shanghai GM in China

[desmo9]

this car was never going to raise the bar -- but look at it aside the just-released Ford Taurus (yeah, I know, it's the next size down but it doesn't matter) and the Insignia looks like something out of 1995. The Welburn/Lutz design lead oughta be put out to pasture. Too few hits (CTS, and perhaps the Malibu) and too many misses.

[jkr2106]

Originally Posted by desmo9

this car was never going to raise the bar -- but look at it aside the just-released Ford Taurus (yeah, I know, it's the next size down but it doesn't matter) and the Insignia looks like something out of 1995. The Welburn/Lutz design lead oughta be put out to pasture. Too few hits (CTS, and perhaps the Malibu) and too many misses.

The Insignia is a beautiful car that is designed for more sedate European tastes. The LaCrosse and Taurus are supposed to have an American flavor and that design strength is evident. The Insignia wasn't supposed to be a Buick, so those details are missing. By details I mean more than ventiports and a waterfall grill, btw. As a Saturn, the Insignia would would fit right in, but making it a Buick is disgraceful.

[osv_alero]

Regal / Century, not LeSabre / Century, or Park Avenue / Century.

I think they should bring it over and believe it will not be like the Regal / Century combo due to size and style difference.

The current Regal is smaller inside and out over the upcoming LaCrosse whereas the Regal and Century where identical in size. Some things to think about on the differences;
1998/1997 (intro years) Regal/Century
1. Same length
2. Regal has stiffer, not by much, suspension
3. Regal was more expensive
4. Regal was supposed to have additional equipment not available on the Century, including bucket seats, though over the years that changed
5. Century was a lower cost product, which allowed it to outsell the Regal by a fair margin, and made it the queen of rental fleets.
6. When comparing the two cars it was really just the bench seat and unavailable GS (sport suspension & supercharged engine package) that made the Regal different. Yes there where a few outside differences, but to the general public, it was hard to tell the difference.

Upcoming Regal / LaCrosse
1. Different lengths and interior room
2. Different interior "feel" and direction with the LaCrosse showing a "warmer" American feel
3. Body styles that look like they came from the same family but not at all twins (rear doors, rear end, etc.)
4. Suspension?? I'm guessing the Regal will offer a sportier European style suspension due to its heritage
5. Price?? This will be the key. IF the Regal comes in even $2000 less than the LaCrosse, it will most likely be the better seller. Only time will tell.

The upcoming success of the Regal will depend on how GM markets and equips the vehicle. I do believe it could be a huge for Buick IF GM markets it correctly.

[GM LS-X]

Where is this Car build? In China or in Germany alongside the Insignia?