[JoeT]

No Buick Threat From China

James Stanford
29 May 2008
www.goauto.com.au

General Motors Asia Pacific boss says China won't vie for US exports with GM Holden.

China is unlikely to deny Australia any long-wheelbase exports in the near or medium term according to GM Asia Pacific president Nick Reilly.

Buick Pontiac and GMC, general manager, Jim Bunnell, had told GoAuto at the New York Auto Show in March that the company would consider sourcing a long-wheelbase replacement for its ageing Lurcerne model from China or Australia.

GM's China operation makes a Holden Statesman-based model called the Park Avenue which Mr Bunnell referred to.

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[mbukukanyau]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

Its Stupid of GM's North American Buicks General manager to think people in the US will not pay high premium price for a high content vehicle like China's Park Avenue. I wonder why he thinks Mercedes sell soo man E Classes and S Classes here.
Or perhaps is the Maslow's hirechy according to GM book of needs.
Nothing can be more expensive than Cadillac just as nothing can be faster than corvettes?

Its a stupid law of needs. Every Brand needs to pursue its own destiny. Let Buick Fly!!

 

[mgescuro]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

It's stupid that Buick's managers actually listened to the dealership base when they were shown the Park Avenue.

Remember... the dealers said that the Park Avenue would compete with the Lucerne, so the Park Avenue wasn't brought over.

 

[mbukukanyau]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

It's stupid that Buick's managers actually listened to the dealership base when they were shown the Park Avenue.

Remember... the dealers said that the Park Avenue would compete with the Lucerne, so the Park Avenue wasn't brought over.

They need prayers. This sort of leader, unwilling to take risk is what GM should get rid of. When your brand has an average buyer who is 80 years old, and you are afraid to take on the world, you got a problem

 

[FenwickHockey65]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

They need prayers. This sort of leader, unwilling to take risk is what GM should get rid of. When your brand has an average buyer who is 80 years old, and you are afraid to take on the world, you got a problem

Honestly, if the Park Avenue came over from China, I'd be the youngest Buick driver in a decade.
*sighh*
That'll remain a dream, I guess.

 

[thebuickguy]

I think i got ya beat on that record. Bought a 99 Buick Regal GS on my 19th birthday man was that car fun

 

[camaro_freak]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

It's stupid that Buick's managers actually listened to the dealership base when they were shown the Park Avenue.

Remember... the dealers said that the Park Avenue would compete with the Lucerne, so the Park Avenue wasn't brought over.

you betcha... like the Lurcerne is that hot of a seller to begin with

The PA is a FAR superior vehicle and should have been brought over here...

 

[vam29]

What's the big secret? Build a beautiful car and younger buyers will also be attracted to it!

 

[Hurricane]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

Very sad news...

 

[nsap]

Re: No Buick Threat From China, Says GM Asia Pacific Boss

It's stupid that Buick's managers actually listened to the dealership base when they were shown the Park Avenue.

Remember... the dealers said that the Park Avenue would compete with the Lucerne, so the Park Avenue wasn't brought over.

And people wonder why I am always calling for an overhaul of the dealership base.:yup:

 

[377Z]

HA!!! China is wearing the pants here!

Too bad the jokes on us.

 

[gardnet1]

So will Holden build the Chinese designed Buick Park Avenue for export to the US?

Obviously they are trying to secure production levels in OZ so that those plants are sustainable and profitable.

 

[Hitman1970]

This pretty much takes GM from being a lock for my next vehicle to "on the consideration list." Idiots.

 

[ponchoman49]

We are having trouble moving G8's off dealer lots here in Upstate, NY. Each Pontiac dealer has had the same 4-5 cars since they were delivered off the truck several months ago. People are looking at them but not buying them. A 45-50K Buick version would fare worse IMO, especially since it has such plain styling, most elderly folks I have been talking to want some exterior pizazz such as on the DTS with it's chrome trim, door molding, distinctive short tail fin taillights and the prominent grille. The China Park Ave looks too dull and anonymous for it's intended audience. The Lucerne at least has a much lower entry price point and some exterior trim and port holes to help. It's the old front drive chassis and outdated 3800/4 speed that seem to be turning newer buyers off to this car. If GM could marry the rear drive chassis and sweet interior of the China Park Ave with the lower entry cost and sharper exterior of the Lucerne with a standard 3.6/6 speed powertrain then they might have something.

 

[tgagneguam]

Executed properly, Buick absolutely could sell a Park Avenue here. As nice as Commodore-based products are-lord knows I love 'em-I don't think sending this over here would be the best thing. It's too Commodore, and because the G8 closely resembles the Commodore, GM would be rightfully accused of badgineering products for Buick. Given distinctive lines along the looks of the Enclave and the soon-to-be Invicta, then you'd have yourself a winner. Christ, just copy MonaroSS's(?) Buick-ized Commodore/Calias if you need inspiration.

It would be nice if GM would finally execute a plan consistently. It really isn't rocket science.

 

[tgagneguam]

...The Lucerne at least has a much lower entry price point and some exterior trim and port holes to help. It's the old front drive chassis and outdated 3800/4 speed that seem to be turning newer buyers off to this car.

I hear your point to some degree, ponchoman49, but the Lucerne is an absolutely dreadful interpretation of a 21st century Buick. Again, the Enclave nails the idea precisely, and it's selling well. The pending Invicta seems to possess proper Buick lines, and I believe it will at minimal achieve its stated retail goal of 65,000- 75,000 units per annum in the US.

I absolutely believe a proper Buick Park Avenue would do well, even if some models were priced north of $40,000. Well-styled, well-engineered, high quality, well marketed luxury cars are always in fashion.

 

[Hitman1970]

We are having trouble moving G8's off dealer lots here in Upstate, NY. Each Pontiac dealer has had the same 4-5 cars since they were delivered off the truck several months ago. People are looking at them but not buying them. A 45-50K Buick version would fare worse IMO, especially since it has such plain styling, most elderly folks I have been talking to want some exterior pizazz such as on the DTS with it's chrome trim, door molding, distinctive short tail fin taillights and the prominent grille. The China Park Ave looks too dull and anonymous for it's intended audience. The Lucerne at least has a much lower entry price point and some exterior trim and port holes to help. It's the old front drive chassis and outdated 3800/4 speed that seem to be turning newer buyers off to this car. If GM could marry the rear drive chassis and sweet interior of the China Park Ave with the lower entry cost and sharper exterior of the Lucerne with a standard 3.6/6 speed powertrain then they might have something.

Are those dealers trying to mark the G8s up or just asking MSRP?

 

[377Z]

...sharper exterior of the Lucerne...

:think: I'll have what he's having...:friday:

 

[Ming]

Well, it was fun dreaming while it lasted.

 

[MisterMe]

Are those dealers trying to mark the G8s up or just asking MSRP?

It ain't just upstate New York. Those that are selling are often selling below MSRP.