[nsap]

NSAP Investigates: Velite Production?
A Velite At Your Local Dealer May Not Be That Far Off

After seeing the Buick Velite concept car at this year's New York Auto Show, I, like many people thought that it was a must-build vehicle for Buick. I wanted to learn more about the future of the Velite, rather it will go into concept car history, or if we will see it in driveways. So I went investigating, like I sometimes do. And my findings are quite promising.
I started talking to sources that are part of Buick and know a lot about the Velite program. It seems that even GM itself does not yet know what they are going to do with the concept. From the way it sounds, some of the higher executives at GM (Bob Lutz, Gary Cowger), want to green-light it, while some of the lower people (like Buick officials) do not yet agree with producing the Velite. I seriously think that eventually the car WILL be produced, because...well if like many other things, the executives will get there way and it will be produced.

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My Prediction:
Production for the 2007 as a 2008. And see it unveiled in 2005-6

Basically, I look for another Solstice-like deal, where it comes from concept to production in two years.

 

[PONTIAC2005]

Sounds good!

 

[Josh O]

 

[pkd87]

Im going to start saving now

 

[gmwsag]

When I was in New York for the auto show, many were shocked Buick was building such a pretty vehicle like this one. LaCrosse and Terraza were empty, but the passion was for Velite. I can't wait till GM builds this one...

 

[jamautogroup]

well guys i hope BUICK reads this website and realizes they got themselves a REAL WINNER in the Velite....my lil cousin is 12 or 13 and he loves the Velite and the Lacrosse(my uncle owns a Buick dealership) and I think theyre goin in a much better and needed direction to go into the future with against brands such as Lexus and BMW and the rest but one thing they must do IS BUILD THE VELITE...thats all i can say i love the looks of the velite and the interior which im sure is gonna be a bit better than the crap brown lol they had in the concept vehicle...but i must say BUICK is gonna be a WINNER if they start producing vehicles such as the Velite..and if they do build the Centimme or however its spelled they got a damn good chance to become a Lexus type brand....

 

[johnd89]

I really can't see how someoe could be opposed to the velite going into production?? unless they receive their paychecks from lexus, who should be REALLY worried...
the car itself is probably the best looking gm vehicle in years, but what's more important is where it's placed: it has the power to change in one shot the whole buick perception to the public. at some point, compare this with the vette (but better looking IMHO and more practical), only that imagine that for the last 20 years the chevrolet brand didn't had any vette!!!

 

[3eb]

those who don't want the velite are probably the same idiots who thought it was necessary for buick to have a minivan :blink: i just saw a commercial for that terraza yesterday and it made me feel embarrassed for GM/buick.

 

[tgagneguam]

In some ways it's fortunate that GM is an intensely hierarchical organization; it means that when the people at the top-Bob Lutz and Gary Cowger-believe in and want GM to produce a fab car like the Velite, it will be done. This despite what the underlings want!

Cheers to vertical organizations!

 

[New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66]

Cool. I hope they make it. The target market, I would feel would be the 35 - 55 year old executive type who wants something different.

I could see buying one. Actually I am going to strongly consider, either the SSR with six-speed manual or Solstice for my next ride.

"The future's so bright I gotta wear shades" - Timbuk 3

 

[chicubs]

They would have to be crazy to not produce it. It is the 2 concept car (behind the solstice) than everyone liked.

 

[TimR]

They better build it, Buick doesn't have much in the lineup right now...

later
Tim

 

[sheithappens]

GMI exclusive? LOL :lol:

 

[johnd89]

hey GM:
build it and fire everyone who's opposing!!!

 

[powervette]

Originally posted by johnd89@May 10 2004, 01:31 AM
hey GM:
build it and fire everyone who's opposing!!!

:lol:

 

[carMuck]

This car is a must build for Buick. Its the first really beautiful and exciting car they've come up with since the last Riviera. Buick needs something to get younger buyers in the door, this,(and perhaps to a lesser extent, the Lacrosse) might be it!

 

[Tim_M]

I respect the opinions on this thread, but I have two reasons to doubt that the Velite is a lock for production.


1. Buick has consistently unveiled some of the best concepts over the past five years. However, there has been virtually no follow-up. Remember the original Lacrosse? The Bengal? The Centiemme (sp?)? The closest we got to a production car was the Bengal, which Lutz killed.

2. Buick needs a full-line renewal. Designing a sports/gt car costs a lot of money, and the volume potential is low. The halo car theory is the most overblown myth in the industry, and GM wisely has exhibited a reluctance to buy into it. I would think that GM's priority is to revitalize Buicks staple sedans before building a halo car. Cadillac had the CTS and the Escalade on the table before releasing the XLR, and that car owed a lot to Chevy's investment in new Vette tech.

The Velite's future depends on a good donor platform and a corporate guardian angel.

 

[T-Type]

I would be really curious to find out what logic would be to not build the car. NSAP can you find out? What could the Buick officials possibly have against this car? As far as I'm concerned this car is a no brainer.

 

[crazywop112]

That car looks awesome. I love the fact that it's turbocharged. They have some great pics of it on Buick.com. The Velite is exactly the type of car Buick needs.