LinkLong before the current financial crisis and virtual collapse of the U.S. auto market that led General Motors to rethink its vehicle lineup, the company was believed to be working on the development of the next-generation Saturn Aura midsize sedan. The new Aura was first speculated to be a near clone of the Opel Insignia that's sold in Europe, but then GM delayed the replacement of the car and said that the next Aura would get unique sheetmetal and interior. So, was this Buick the reason for the change? The new Regal reportedly went on sale in China earlier this year, and sources now say that Buick will replace Saturn as Opel's global partner. In the near future, it's expected to be built in Canada and sold in North America.
LinkLong before the current financial crisis and virtual collapse of the U.S. auto market that led General Motors to rethink its vehicle lineup, the company was believed to be working on the development of the next-generation Saturn Aura midsize sedan. The new Aura was first speculated to be a near clone of the Opel Insignia that's sold in Europe, but then GM delayed the replacement of the car and said that the next Aura would get unique sheetmetal and interior. So, was this Buick the reason for the change? The new Regal reportedly went on sale in China earlier this year, and sources now say that Buick will replace Saturn as Opel's global partner. In the near future, it's expected to be built in Canada and sold in North America.
I think the only styling mistake for the Buick is that the grille needs to be blacked out.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the 2000s LeSabre and Park Avenue revealed at the same time?
Actually, it is regarded a flop... It sold around 10K a year on good years, IMHO not because the product was bad, but it was improperly packaged and marketed (Cadillac? Imported?).The only product that met with any success I can think of off the top of my head is the Catera. It sold reasonably well, at least the first few years.
The marketing was great. Cindy Crawford and Ziggy the merlette. I really wanted a stuffed Ziggy. I still do too!!Actually, it is regarded a flop... It sold around 10K a year on good years, IMHO not because the product was bad, but it was improperly packaged and marketed (Cadillac? Imported?).
To me, this was pretty childish, bad taste and irritating. And the name? Catera??? Even Captiva and Epica are better (but only just). GM's naming department is secrelty subsidized by Toyota, Honda and Ford!The marketing was great. Cindy Crawford and Ziggy the merlette. I really wanted a stuffed Ziggy. I still do too!!
FWICR, the Omegas did have cupholders. Rather large - I remember them to be TOO LARGE to hold a plastic cup (I don't want a bottle cupholder, a bottle can be capped and put away somewhere, hard to do with a cup!)The car itself was retarded. Cupholders? Improperly sized cigarette lighters? The car was sold in the US... but it was not localized for the US. A fatal mistake.
The LaCrosse is the new big @ Buick. Which is yet another reason for a name change - people will have trouble accepting the LaCrosse as a full-size car, even though it's the size of a house.I don't see how this fits in Buick's NA lineup. The new Lacrosse and this car will be competing for the same customers.
I believe the Regal will sell fine too. It is dimensionally very close to Camry / ES, much like the LaCrosse drifts into the Avalon territory, if their sales can give you an indication. Or see Acura TSX/TL.A big Buick will sell in decent numbers no matter what you call it. A Buick, is a Buick, is a Buick. I'm interested to see how this Opel Insignia sells as a Buick.
GM already said it will "align Buick with Opel", not with Shanghai-Buick. They are being pretty smart. As concerns "nothing unique from China", I believe that knowing they are getting the car, PATAC has lent a hand to its development. Hopefully, however, it IS a global car in that it won't be "tweaked" for North Americans.The Buick Regal in China is the exact same car as the Insignia. So really what we are getting is the rebadge of the Opel here. There is nothing unique from China, the car is as German as a domestically produced BMW or Mercedes. If GM is smart there will be NO mention of the China collection as the country is about as popular as the plague here right now (see job losses, import flooding etc.)
The LaCrosse will also compete (kinda) with the Lincoln MKS,just slightly smaller. Acura RL alsoI believe the Regal will sell fine too. It is dimensionally very close to Camry / ES, much like the LaCrosse drifts into the Avalon territory, if their sales can give you an indication. Or see Acura TSX/TL.
GM already said it will "align Buick with Opel", not with Shanghai-Buick. They are being pretty smart. As concerns "nothing unique from China", I believe that knowing they are getting the car, PATAC has lent a hand to its development. Hopefully, however, it IS a global car in that it won't be "tweaked" for North Americans.
BTW it is confirmed now that, at least in Chile, the Insignia becomes Chevrolet Vectra. Talk about kerfuffle.
I guess the LaCrosse will have more room than tech, but price matters. Owning an RL puts you in a rather exclusive territory. It is not entirely the same to "downgrade" to a Buick.but the LaCrosse will have more room than the Lucerne and tech. Like i tolds a.f.,price doensnt matter. Its the same size and class