[ab348]

I disagree that Olds and Buick are anything at all alike, or that they ever were - except for the badge-engineered Roger Smith years, which is all anyone seems to remember. Did Buick ever sell a million cars a year like Olds did? Olds was always *different*, a unique combination of engineering and value, and it was getting back there again with the Aurora and the Shortstar engines. Buick has always had an old man's reputation - "the Doctor's car". It still does, and builds cars that match that. Meanwhile, Chevy and Pontiac are chasing the same people and still building clone-cars. Saturn - well, I dunno what the heck Saturn is doing except losing gaazillions of dollars. I agree a brand (or two) had to go - but it should not have been Olds.

 

[desmo9]

I never said they were alike, in fact I noted differences. The sales figures in decades past may have favored Olds over Buick, much like Chevy exceeded Pontiac. Buick was higher on Sloan's "food chain" than Olds. More luxury, less volume. My point is, if one brand carried on, its new mission would not be to duplicate what it once was... but would instead be optimized based on GM's current brand positioning requirements. GM's trying to make Buick into a near-luxury marque with an American-statement. If Olds had survived instead of Buick, it would have had the same theme. But when you think back to the 50s and 60s, and recall the brand that best captures the essence of what GM's trying to do today, Buick is the best fit...more true to its heritage.

Look at it this way... considering what Chevy and Pontiac and Cadillac are and will be offering, does GM need something more like Park Ave or more like Aurora? I personally like Aurora more than Park Ave, but Park Ave touches on a segment that other brands are not covering (except DTS, which is essentially a Buick with a Cadillac badge). Buick's traditional American luxury is not in any other brand's portfolio. However, Olds' import-fighter theme is already in the stable. The next Bonneville and G6 will fit the mold of what the future Aurora and Intrigue would have been. At a time when Pontiac was boy-racer foolishness, Olds seemed to fit as a more mature offering. But given Pontiac's new mission, Olds had no purpose.

 

[ab348]

Time will tell if Pontiac can pick up what Olds was delivering. If it can, great. But I have been sorely disappointed by anything turned out by that division in recent years. In fact, before I bought my Intrigue I was actually wanting a Bonneville - until I got inside one and saw that dashboard, gimmicky controls, and upholstery. The new GP is even more of a disappointment with its boy-racer dash, JC Whitney exhaust tips, hard shiny black plastic inside surfaces, uninhabitable rear seat and Uglycloth (TM Regd.) seat fabric (thankfully since replaced). The G6 looks nice in the photos, but I'll wait for the real thing. Pontiac needs to grow up before I can consider them.

 

[chevypower91]

Hey guys,

I am really disappointed that GM is pulling the plug on Oldsmobile. After a 107 years, they are just going to kill it. I think there brand has improved during the past 5-6 years with the Alero, Bravada, and Siloutte. I recently purchased a 2003 Alero and I love it. The styling is very attractive, the interior is ergonomically fit, and priced right for the value that it offers.

I aggree with GM having too many divisions, it's like GM is competing with itself. I feel that they did not market the Olds brand the way they should have. They could have had alot of potential in changing the Olds image and show everyone that Olds is not your grandfather's wheels.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[desmo9]

Originally posted by ab348@Mar 10 2004, 10:44 PM
But I have been sorely disappointed by anything turned out by that division in recent years. In fact, before I bought my Intrigue I was actually wanting a Bonneville - until I got inside one and saw that dashboard, gimmicky controls, and upholstery. The new GP is even more of a disappointment with its boy-racer dash, JC Whitney exhaust tips, hard shiny black plastic inside surfaces, uninhabitable rear seat and Uglycloth (TM Regd.) seat fabric (thankfully since replaced). The G6 looks nice in the photos, but I'll wait for the real thing. Pontiac needs to grow up before I can consider them.

Yeah, I agree Pontiac is not there. I talked about Pontiac boy-racer foolishness as if it's a thing of the past, but in fact the current stuff still has that tackiness. Pulling the garish side moldings off is a single step in a multi-mile journey. But if the G6 reflects the half-way point, eventually Pontiac should be able to deliver the maturity that Olds products had started to embody.