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Buick prepping new small sedans for U.S. and Chinese markets

Buick prepping new small sedans for U.S. and Chinese markets

Viknesh Vijayenthiran August 25th, 2008 Viknesh Vijayenthiran By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Author August 25th, 2008
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December 31st, 1969 General Motors’ sales in North America may have tanked but the carmaker’s performance in other regions, especially emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, South America, India and China, is booming. Of all the new markets, the one with the most potential is proving to be China. It’s now the single biggest market for Buick and local design teams are now responsible for a range of new models that will even be sold in the U.S. Confirmed for production will be a new midsized sedan based on the recently revealed Invicta Concept (pictured). Expected to replace the current LaCrosse, the FWD sedan will be sold in both the U.S. and China concurrently. You can see spy shots of the car in our previous story by clicking here. A second, smaller sedan is in also contention. Due for the 2012 model year in China, GM is considering bringing the car to North America as well, reports Automotive News. The car will be based on the FWD Delta platform and could potentially be produced in both countries. The range-topping Buick Lucerne was scheduled to be redesigned for the 2011 model year, but due to several issues with the car's economy and efficiency it will have to make do with minimal updates until it’s dropped from GM’s lineup – likely to be when it fails to comply with Federal fuel economy regulations. Another model that has been scrapped is the production version of the stunning Riviera concept. The decision to cease development was made due to financial limitations. The Buick Enclave, meanwhile, will soldier on unchanged for several years at least and is expected to pick up a two-mode hybrid drive option around 2011 along with the rest of the Lambda range of vehicles.
Buick prepping new small sedans for U.S. and Chinese markets

Buick prepping new small sedans for U.S. and Chinese markets

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General Motors’ sales in North America may have tanked but the carmaker’s performance in other regions, especially emerging markets such as Eastern Europe, South America, India and China, is booming. Of all the new markets, the one with the most potential is proving to be China. It’s now the single biggest market for Buick and local design teams are now responsible for a range of new models that will even be sold in the U.S.

Confirmed for production will be a new midsized sedan based on the recently revealed Invicta Concept (pictured). Expected to replace the current LaCrosse, the FWD sedan will be sold in both the U.S. and China concurrently. You can see spy shots of the car in our previous story by clicking here.

A second, smaller sedan is in also contention. Due for the 2012 model year in China, GM is considering bringing the car to North America as well, reports Automotive News. The car will be based on the FWD Delta platform and could potentially be produced in both countries.

The range-topping Buick Lucerne was scheduled to be redesigned for the 2011 model year, but due to several issues with the car's economy and efficiency it will have to make do with minimal updates until it’s dropped from GM’s lineup – likely to be when it fails to comply with Federal fuel economy regulations.

Another model that has been scrapped is the production version of the stunning Riviera concept. The decision to cease development was made due to financial limitations. The Buick Enclave, meanwhile, will soldier on unchanged for several years at least and is expected to pick up a two-mode hybrid drive option around 2011 along with the rest of the Lambda range of vehicles.

Tags: General Motors

Posted in: News


Comments (5 total)

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  1. By Laz #1, Posted: 8/25/2008

    Almost looks like an Infiniti M, nice looking car!

  2. By Tony #2, Posted: 8/25/2008

    Nice design. Good thing when GM has to design for overseas markets, they seem to be able to come up with designs featuring coherent detailing. Nothing whacky. Thing is, why do a growing number of cars, like this and the Mercedes CLS, have smaller glass areas? The window ledge is at the bottom of the rear headrest. Claustrophobic. Since warranties do run out eventually, what happens if the air conditioning suddenly goes bung in the middle of summer and you have to actually open windows to ventilate the car? Have designers forgotten the issues of real people -- like little kids who can't see the view even perched on a child seat?

  3. By Guy #3, Posted: 8/25/2008

    Buick will have only two models? Might as well dump the brand like they did to Oldsmobile. If Cadillac cancels the DT7, Buick will need to take up the slack with a full-sized RWD luxury car. Looks like GM stock is still overpriced at $10 per share.

  4. By NoNameDenton #4, Posted: 8/25/2008

    That is not what the article says guy, they will have the LaCrosse replacment, possibly a Delta based model, the Enclave, and possibly a baby brother to the Enclave based on the same platform as the new SRX.

  5. By Dan The Man #5, Posted: 8/26/2008

    And agian Buick misses the point COMPLETELY! Buick, wake up and smell the new market....Look at the hottest cars commanding thousands over sticker price. The Dodge Challenger. A 2 door sports car. It's popular enough BEFORE going on sale that Dodge designed and released a "Package Car" as well. A $33,000 model not legal for the street, but dedicated to drag racing and fully NHRA certified out of the showroom.

    then comes Chevy with the new Camaro. Another 2 door sports car. Big motor and power to spare. I know people dying to see one.

    Get a clue....a car can have 2 doors and sell well. A car can have power, and a lesser fuel efficient powerplant and sell. If you keep this up, you'll NEVER get a young buyer in, no matter how much Tiger Woods advertises for you. And your current clients are getting older by the day and dying off just as fast. After a few more headstones for your current clients and Buick will be the next headstone. Your history is in America, yet you cater to the Chinese market and ignore what Americans want. You're putting the nails in your own coffin, and it's a shame. Concept cars like the Blackhawk could have sold huge numbers...but you ignored the demand.

    Consider a focus group and ask people what you want. Feeding people what you want to feed them makes them go elsewhere for their next meal...and your table is left bare.

    C'mon, get it right and make a car like the Blackhawk, the Riviera, etc. Why make concepts to never follow through? Just to make the end come faster?

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