Buick Enclave video podcast
Buick Enclave Concept at the 2006 NAIAS
In this FastLane video podcast, the Wall Street Journal’s Detroit Bureau Chief Joe White interviews GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz at the North American International Auto Show about the design of the Buick Enclave concept vehicle.
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WSJ interviews Bob Lutz on Buick Enclave design
GM has posted a video podcast of the Wall Street Journal’s interview with GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz at the North American International Auto Show about the design of the Buick Enclave concept vehicle. Download the video: Windows Internet Explorer…
ellis
beautiful car Mr Lutz. hope it does’nt stray to far from the concept when it hits the road.
Barry
Bob,
Beautiful vehicle and very unBuick-like. That’s a good thing for a brand that is lost in translation. Interior is maybe the best I’ve seen from GM. And that includes the Cadillacs which are about the only interiors I like.
I’m still not convinced GM is being as aggressive as it needs to be with its styling but this is a knockout.
Your competitor’s future cars are amazing as well. Be more aggressive and drive execution………GM’s weakest competency.
Christopher Popa
Please make the production Buick Enclave as close as possible to the concept, and as soon as you’re able. (With the great reaction it has received, it deserves to be moved up in GM’s cadence.) The Enclave is beautiful, powerful, and luxurious, and restores Buick to where it should be! Reach back, leap forward (or, as Ed Welburn put it, “heritage forward”)!
Joe Enke
MEH, It is better than the Aztec inspired thing out now but looks an awful lot like a lexus. Give me a 3.9 Turbo charged RWD Lucerne and call it a Grand National, Then we would be talking
MMasters, Principal
Bob,
I happy to say, thus far ;-), that I am a proud owner of not just one Buick, but two Buicks.
In the past 25 years or so, I’ve gone from 4-banger-sewing-machines from (3) Toyotas to Renault to (2) Fiats to (2) VWs (one diesel) to the 1st SUV made in the USA (a V8 75 Jeep Cherokee Chief — my weekend mud whomper to later, my wife’s 1st car). In the early 90’s I upgraded to V6 power plants with (2) 90 model Ford products (one Mercury Sable & one Thunderbird). The Ford products served us well for most of a decade.
Today, we have a Buick Century and a Buick Regal (racy model 4 me :p))— they are both white & wonderful pieces of craftsmanship. We discover hidden value, bell & whistle items all the time with these models — dare never to read the manual until absolutely necessary, you know!
But there is only one thing, Bob. I think we have an invasion on our hands…
They say, “Until you own one, you don’t realize what other people are driving.” That’s absolutely true! I had no idea how many Buicks there are on the road… before I thought Buicks were an extinct species :p)
Cheers!
M
Ming
Bob,
The Enclave is a fantastic looking vehicle. One key deciding factor for me in whether I would buy one or not is fuel economy. If it isn’t going to be a “true” SUV made for off-roading, then I would hope to see it get at least the same good fuel economy that the 3.6L V6 equipped Rendezvous gets, which is as high as 27 mpg hwy.
Truck-based or not, these utility vehicles need to get at least 25mpg or better. I was very disappointed with the fuel efficiency of the CSV’s, and hope that the Enclave is more like the Rendezvous, and less like the Terraza or Rainier in that category.
Dennis Schrage
CAMARO’s RULE!!
Brian Laurance
The Enclave is sensational, and I share the sentiments of those who think that this product should become a high priority for GM.
Some may believe that the Buick brand has been “damaged”, but this simply reflects the fact that Buick has been starved for bold and contemporary products. The Lucerne is a great step in the right direction, and the Enclave is another great punch. Keep ‘em coming. There is tremendous interest and commitment to the Buick brand; we’ve just been waiting for the right products.
heintz
I have always looked at SUV type vehicles as wastes of energy and materials. Afterall, how many people actually need a vehicle heavier than a tank??? But the Enclave is SO good looking and executed I am sorely tempted to get one as soon as they come out. Unless the Velite comes too, or my all time favorite, the Nomad.
Tapscott's Copy Desk
Carnival of Cars
Carnival of Cars mistook the Buick Enclave for a Lexus, too.
Tapscott Behind the Wheel
Carnival of Cars
It’s official now. The Buick Enclave podcast is up at FastLane Blog. Lutz is getting pretty good at these televised walk-arounds, you know?
Edward Hayes
I love the Velite sport utility. You are definately going in the right direction here. I don’t see anyone aspiring to get another family car, they want crossovers. Now if they want the best looking crossover, they will have to see the Enclave.
Job well done!
I look forward to seeing Buick sales spike as did Hummer with the H3.
This is GM at its best, an Enclave, an Outlook and the Acadia.
Three distinct flavors all from the same box.
GM makes the best Neapolitan.
Buick will be the one to redefine the family car. Buick will do for cars what Hummer did for trucks. Just go to the best year for the high roof Buick 8 and trust me, Buick will continue the winning momentum.
Titan
This is absolutely what Buick needed. It’s what Lacrosse has failed to do… what Lucerne has come very close to doing. It brings Buick into the luxury realm in a complete fashion. It’s an all out, luxurious SUV. The powertrain is right on target; the interior is unique and original (and will certainly be quiet), and the exterior styling is Buick’s own (without being overly retro). Please keep the interior as close to the concept as possible. I hope this concept is to the production vehicle what the Soltice concept was the the final production car. The option of the upcoming V8 is welcome news.
Please, differentiate completely from the Outlook and Acadia. In my opinion, the GMC version is a huge mistake. Why have sister cars in the same store if not needed? GMCs should have remained BOF, with Chevy getting the Acadia. Anyway, congrats with the Enclave. It’ll be on my short list of SUVs in four years (can’t wait to see the Enclave’s upcoming little brother). Let’s get Buick’s car line on a RWD platform. I don’t think it’ll be hard, since there seems to be an affordable version of Zeta alread well in the works. The next LaX,Lucerne,and flagship; along with a coupe could share it. Hey, go for the gold, man. There’s plenty of room for a true Lexus alternative (in Buick), while Caddy plays at the other end of the lux field with the best the Germans have to offer. Buick should offer powerfull, quiet, refined cars and SUVs. Reserved and confident, for people who have money but don’t care about shouting it to the world. Let Caddy be the more outrageous, competitive brand. Go for the gold, Bob. You can do it.
SteveG
Increase your warranties.
That should have been the big announcement at the auto show.
You are fooling yourselves if you think people are suddenly going to start buying GM vehicles without a longer warranty.
Wake up and smell the coffee!
CodyS
How about a concept GTO? And please something with some effort into it this time.
Shaun McFarland
Way to go Gm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Truly a winner. Please keep it close to the concept. Keep
up the good work.
qq
Manufacturing receives the engineer’s specifications and does not adhere to them. This I think is caused from a directive from Management to cut corners and save money. This, if true, is ludicrous!
down
very good.
ellis
i found that previous comment about the enclave not looking like a Buick hilarious! thats exactly what it looks like,…A BUICK! hopefully this stays true to what we see here and continues on in the tradition of the real buicks of the 40s-60s! EXCELLENCE of DESIGN, EXCELLENCE of ENGINEERING and EXCELLENCE of QUALITY!
Tom Parker
First: I wish is was a Camaro, that way it would match my silk Camaro jacket, Camaro socks, Camaro shirt, Camaro lunch box, and Camaro coloring book.
Second: If you’re lucky, it may be the equal of the competition. Tell me… will it have the dull, dead, GM driving dynamics of 99% of your products??
Third: If it equals the competition, there’s a whole lot of people who don’t like GM, and won’t buy it anyway. ESPECIALLY now that your to big (small) to take a pay cut for poor performance.
Dan Bokros
Nice Buick!!! I think it will do great.
I come to blog often to check on new products and the thinking of management i.e.– the direction they are trying to go. I think this blog does a good job of that. My complaint is not with the blog per se but all of the negative bombast from who must lay awake at night trying to figure out why they “hate” GM so much. If I see the words panache, flair, style, √©lan, cachet, prestige or any other word that is not substantive, but purely emotional you know that is a negative post with some kind of hidden agenda. The truth is that GM makes great cars, but so does everyone else. If you compare any quantifiable asset of a vehicle (power, performance, cabin noise, mpg, etc.) you should get a breakdown of vehicle sales by how good they are in these categories. That is not what is happening. Sales are largely driven by “emotional politics” where people subconsciously (or literally) say “I’m getting a (Toyota, Lexus, Nissan etc.) because that shows I am sophisticated, educated, urbane, consumer and not some “redneck” from the country. All you have to do is read the sales demographics to know that is a fact. I really don’t know if GM can break through that sentiment but it reflects more on the consumer than GM in my opinion. I also believe there is more than a little “hate America first” sentiment in vehicle purchases. If you don’t believe me, go check out the parking lots at UC- Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, et al.
Jeff Crew
The product looks great, the presentation was painful.
Edward Hayes
Bob…GM,
This is tearing my heart out.
It’s on the Christmas cars, it’s at the outdoor market while I walk the street, on paintings and in pictures. It’s even in the video games, just about every one of them. Big bold, beautiful cars. The only place it is not is at the dealership.
Now I know your policy on future product development is, “What future product? We’re not doing anything.” But look this is too important to ignore.
Don’t look at the loss of GM market share over the last decades but look at the migration of customers away from cars to trucks. The underlying reason is cars have lost their height and stance. It’s fine for a sports car and a coupe but a family sedan? It is the saddest thing in the world to me that six adults squeeze into a modern car that is so low- comfort, visibility, the sence of safety and security is throne out the window.
Please, please, please Buick save us from the curse of the flat car.
There is no future for the family sedan if they continue to be chiseled from a slab of clay rather than the block of fisher body steel they once were. No markee has suffered more than Buick and no company has suffered more than GM in the death of the great automobile.
I can see why GM thinks it’s impossible to get back to a market share of 40% or even 30%, there is no vision for the #1 vehicle segment. No vision to try something different because what you have been doing in the last decades with cars is not working.
So Buick is the high volume luxury markee. It is the family sedan flagship. It is the company to go to for space, comfort, security and stature. Unfortunately, if the car continues to be too low, there is no room for such comforts, no room for style, whether retro, heritage or modern and then like many auto watchers today, there is truly no room for Buick.
I however, have a very different belief. One in which people mention “BIG BEAUTIFUL BUICK” not in terms of Buicks of the ’50’s but Buicks of today.
I have a vision of great future for Detroit, one in which big, beautiful Buicks are involved.
May Buick save the heritage sedan, may GM find and save Buick’s soul and may God save the Neapolitan.
Ben
This looks good, but since it’s only a “concept” I fear that it may never see the light of day. Buick is on a roll right now; you have the Lucerne, the JD Powers awards, etc. What you really need is to phase out those bland SUVs/Minivans you have like the LaCrosse, Rainier, Rendezvous that are nothing more than badge-engineered clones of other GM vehicles and make Buick more original. Really, that’s what GM needs to do with all of its brands. Eliminate the overlapping and give the brands some identity again.
As for Buick, bring out this Enclave, bring out the Velite, and surprise us a little Bob. Bring out something like a new Grand National or Skylark based on the Monaro/GTO platform. It would be wonderful to see Buick doing good again, and after seeing how you brought Cadillac back from the dead, I’m sure you could do the same with Buick.
Buick still serves a real purpose even though some say it should be eliminated. It’s one of the few “conservative” luxury brands for people who want nice cars but don’t want to be flamboyant and appear as “show offs”. It’s obvious that people like these cars, because Lexus is a conservative luxury car and they are considered by many to be one of the best…
Mike King
Look out for a new Aussie arrival. The Monaro GTS is coming to the States. This car is an Aussie legend and has been revamped with the new 2000 + models. All the best to it’s success in America.
Cheers, Mike King
Adam Wadcki
Bob–
Great looking vehicle, but that, by far has to be the worst vehicle introduction I’ve seen in a long time. Why can’t GM have vehicle introductions a la Chrysler Aspen? How are Gibson guitars, iPods, Eames chairs, and bicycles going to excite reporters and the public about a new vehicle. Not to mention that the music sounded like something you’d hear in a high-rise elevator. Come on, give an exciting introduction to a hopefully great car.
jeff arnold
Bob
This is probably the best design GM has made and I hope you keep it just like the concept and it will sell like hotcakes. The interior is the best I’ve seen on the market today with 4 dvd monitors.
General Motors has a chance to change the concept of how interiors are presented in cars with the buick enclave. All you have to do is make the production car just like the concept car and watch your stock prices go back up. This car will be to buick what the Chrysler 300 is to Chrysler a “Masterpiece”.
Make it just like the concept and it will be 2007 or 2008 Car of the Year.
Don’t fumble the ball on this one because the world is expecting a touchdown.
patrickmichael
Looks great, but re-work the rear, at least the taillights. It looks too much like a VW Toureg or a Mazda. It’s a Buick -make it unique.
Edwin
Mr. Lutz et al.
Bob, you are doing a fantastic job. The Enclave is a beautiful concept too. For luxury vehicles, offer more pearl white with darker toned trim around the rocker panels.
Why not give an Enclave to Cadillac though? Hit the RX 330 head on and let the market find itself. The feminine ads for the SRX are just a beginning. The reason the RX 330 sells is because it is smaller and easier to park than the Escalade. The Escalade is simply too big for the ladies. The RX also looks like a make-up kit, its just an average vehicle. The SRX has better everything, but it is a bit more masculine and the stance is a bit lower than the RX 330. Have you all looked at that? Its unbelievable how Lexus GS buyers are led to believe they’ve bought a luxury car, its very sub-standard compared to a Cadillac.
It seems that GM could be making a lot more sales very easily. I would suggest making a series of light SUT/SUV, some with Hummer styling, others for Buick, Pontiac, Saturn, and so on. So far GM’s idea of light is not light enough. I thought sure your team would have a surprise light Hummer at the auto show. What is going on? The college guys would be all over this. You are missing business. This y-gen are a are light weights, they think small. You could also rough the Saturn VUE up a bit to make it appeal to the guys. Innovative styling can build quality perception. Remember when Saturn was new? Call you new styles “all new,” that inspires people to give them a try.
GM needs a cross over car that is not wagon like, an answer to the Scion. It could even have a Cadillac version that is not too expensive, it could have a masculine appeal. Cadillac has big potential to real in the young males, just make them something Scion like that is not too expensive, around 25K as an entry level Cadillac. The BLS concept may be a bit too conservative for younger males as it is. Do more risk taking in Cadillac.
Emphasis quality, available performance, and fuel economy on the G6, the Impala, and the La Crosse to draw Camry and Accord trade ups.
Offer a chrome/pearl paint package on the La Crosse like the Buick Ulra had.
Emphasize the entertainment benefits of ONSTAR for a change, not just safety.
SteveG
The presentation was as bad as the new Chevy Tahoe commercial.
Oh…………..raise your warranties.
Brian
This looks kind of scary, but I can see the Buick line is improving overall.
Rick Lupori
Mr. Lutz: Thought the new Camaro was the only amazing vehicle GM would introduce the Detroit Show, but the Buick Enclave is awesome. The interior is exquisite and the exterior is a great combination of luxury and sport.
If this is the new direction for Buick - the future is bright. The interior space for 6 to 8 passengers is incredible and seems to actually have a useable 3rd row seat; even for adults.
My only concern is that you did not say if a V-8 engine would be available on the Enclave, surely the 5.3L V8 should fit where the 3.6L DOHC engine does. Please do not think an overhead cam V8 is required in the vehicle, I would buy one with the 5.3L in a minute, and it would keep the price down and with Active Fuel Management good fuel economy is possible.
In fact where is the 5.3L for the LaCrosse?
That being said, the 3.6L should provide more than adequate performance for most buyers and the most important thing is to get this model to market.
Now Buick needs a new top level model with RWD and formal luxury styling, I am confident you have another stunning model for the future. Keep up the great work.
Edward
Bob, Make sure production stays true to the original. Do not let current financial woes make you cut corners.
Meanwhile please revamp the La Crosse with a Torana/Velite replacement and bring Lucerne to RWD by 2010.
Then you can retire
Joel H.
Hi,
Just saw the Captiva on Autoblog. This is a great looking small SUV or CUV.
Why do the Europeans always get the best exteriors?…
Philip Larrier
Here is the problem with GM. Every time you introduce a concept, it is still two years away from production.
And the plan is for an old engine to be retread with no distinction for it’s brand.
So Nissan, Toyota, and Honda see the vehicle, and if it makes sense, they order their own, but order their engineers to exceed the space, weight, and powertrain efficiency of what they’ve observed. They know they can go from sketch to showroom in two years so it’s no problem.
In the meantime, stupid GM engineers argue over status quo compromise issues rather than breaking through them (which is an engineer’s job), and then stupid GM managers delay the product to ‘try to resolve the issue’ but it’s really to show lower losses for the coming quarter.
So the Japanese come to market first and are hailed as visionaries, while the late GM product fails to wow anyone, but are merely mediocre in the market place,
overweight, overpriced, with a big glaring flaw and poor mileage.
Do not do this with the Lambda line, especially Enclave, which is already three years late because of management stupidity. GM as a whole is at least FIVE YEARS BEHIND where it should be productwise, and entire development cycle!!!! And you are going to see Hyundai add themselves to the nimble killer list and add a great competitor to this vehicle.
For the next decade, GM must operate in emergency attack mode. Your low prices are starting to sting competitors already, as Hyundai introduced $2000 incentives on it’s brand new Sonata! So speed up development, raise the bar to ‘world-beater or your fired’ for your engineers, and let’s regain leadership!
-Phil
Carl M. Maglio
Warranties:
I can not understand why if GMs product quality is truly better (as the ratings & surveys have indicated) why are their warranties industry lagging and inconsistent from brand to brand? This seems to be the missing part of the puzzle to me.
Tim E.
At last! Very impressive!
I have fond memories of our family owning Buicks when I was younger; however, we moved on to better quality vehicles like Caddilacs and Hondas when Buick lost its direction. After four Hondas (the last of which being the most expensive, with less quality than ever), I’m ready to move on back to the tri-sheild with this one.
Please do not taunt us with a fantastic concept (like the Centieme and Velite) and then leave us with no fruition. You will loose that momentum you are gaining. My hopes are that the Centieme concept, with the needed interior revisions, will be translated into the smaller brother of Enclave, like the new Caddy CUV on the way. It always appeared smaller than it was, and would be a great profile in a smaller package.
My only thought, though I love the Enclave “concept”, is that the rear seat configuration is going to be impractical. Please give us power folding rear seats with a fold flat cargo area as an option and we will have died and gone to Heaven. Other than that, don’t change a thing! Rush it up, price it realistic to Buick resale and be forthcoming with that V8, don’t make us wait.
Thank you GM, for not killing Buick. I always knew that the division could come back with the right direction and attention to detail. Now give us a LaCrosse and a flagship that equals the Enclave and you may have broken the Acura/Lexus glass ceiling. The Lucerne is a great step in the right direction, but it is not a flagship. It belongs right were it should be, as a LeSabre replacement.
And as for Saturn… keep it in the economy lane and start spending those wasted dollars to scale it up on a real brand that is already there. Heritage is not a bad thing, it is all in how you interpret its evolution. I always believed that GM should have taken their existing divisions to new levels instead of introducing another brand to go after the foriegn competitors.
Dennis Gallagher
A beautiful car.
Do whatever you can to move the launch foreward.
Give it good driving dynamics, price it right and you will have an absolute winner on your hands.
Barry
Bob,
I have to really hand it to GM’s efforts at the auto show. Not sure enough product is ready to stem a slide but at least there is some idea of competent product coming. I tend to think GM is still to conservative to win many nontraditional buyers as your competitors designs are quite amazing as well. The good news is the return of design excellence to all auto manufacturers.
I think you guys are really missing the boat on your product mix and possible product features. You have a tremendous Chevy SUV in Europe that should be sold in the US and your overseas small cars, sans Aveo, don’t appear to be in the pipeline as Toyota brings Daihatsu, Honda brings Fit and on and on.
You showed an Opel diesel hybrid last year. Where is it? And where are your SUV/Pickup diesel hybrids? I realize some would argue against diesel hybrinds but they are wrong.
A scenario for you. Average Joe needs a truck for his business or work requirements. He’s got a 1995 pickup that gets a combined 14mpg. New gasoline hybrids deliver something that MAY be thirty percent better. He drives 20,000 miles per year with gasoline at $2.25 per. If you could deliver 25 combined mpg with a hybrid, you could cut his fuel prices by over $1,000 per year. Over four years that’s $4,000 in expenses you could cut out. (Assuming gas and diesel are the same price for simplicity)
Now, you have a buyer that is driven, no pun intended, by ROI in his or her purchase. That is a competitive advantage you could easily monetize in your advertising. You could even provide a link via your internet advertising to a simple cost savings calculator on your web site. That would accomplish driving traffic to your site where you could cross sell, educate and issue special offers as well as helping the customer make a decision for your product.
One of many options I believe you really need to drive to win marketshare………….
Robert Phillips
The Enclave may sell well, but come on, we know the buick brand is build on cars like the Riviera. I love my 95 riv, and I am dying for a new one to blow people away. Forget about old retro designs, set the designers free and make a beautiful flagship 2dr for the brand!
SteveG
>Hi,
Just saw the Captiva on Autoblog. This is a great looking small SUV or CUV.
Why do the Europeans always get the best exteriors?…
steve
A previous letter had it right. GM shows their concept vehicles too soon. Show them within 6 mos. of introduction and catch the competition with their wheels flat. Two Yrs. is too long to wait ala Solstice and now Camaro & Enclave
Jeff Cain
The Enclave is a game-changer for Buick. It’s a car that clearly represents what Buick wants to be (now that she’s all grown-up). I can’t say that I’ve ever been jazzed by a Buick, but the Enclave was one of the main reasons I attended NAIAS.
Kudos to the team that put the Enclave together! Y’all nailed it and should be proud to show the world that GM is doing it right. We’re pulling for you.
Lorenzo Patlan
As one of the few Salespersons who work for a GM dealership, I must say this is Buick at it’s best. I have stayed true to my loyalty to GM, even though I have felt GM is just letting the market go by keeping up with the competition and not leading the competition. GM as of now is going nowhere… sad but true, but with remarkable pieces of work like the Enclave and Camaro, there is hope. These are two examples of how GM has the resources to create and manufacture Quality vehicles. All their vehicles in the past have quality, but on a scale of 1 to 10 they’ve all be 5’s. I have owned my fair share of new GM vehicles, and selling them on a daily basis I have first hand experience with them. The Enclave is the jump start Buick needs to place themselves where they should very well be… In the class of Premium Automobiles competing with the likes of Lexus, Mercury and Chrysler. With more vehicles like Enclave and Camaro, my future as a salesman is secure…
Larry
I agree don’t show the competition to soon….. When you do show it, hold back a little, understate. Then when you actually do the release surprise the “h**l” out of everyone by it actually being better then the show car vision.
Keep on track and get this new stuff to market the U.S. needs it to stave off all this foreign junk (that ain’t).
Joe
Beautiful. Absolutely stunning interior. Start production NOW!
john
The Lucerne needs a six speed auto, direct injection,and a hybrid option dual mode. Base engine HF V6 tuned for mpg. CXS HF V6 tuned for HP both with DOD and VVT, gas is not going to be $1 a gallon anymore. All GM cars must be made as if gas was $3 a gallon. Good job on the Lucerne and Enclave. In NY with the $2,000 state tax credit on Hybrids and the federal tax credits the 2007 trucks with the Hybrid will fly off the lots in NY. The hybid Vue is cheaper after the $2,000 dollar tax credit in NY than the non-hybrid.
Mark
This is the vehicle that should have been introduced instead of the Tiger Woods SUV. I think this will give Lexus RX a real run for the money, if you can only keep the price under $36,000 !!!
rogers
PLEASE MANUFACTURE….or may I buy the proto?
This is EXACTLY the shot in the arm Buick needs!!!!
pereira
I own a 2005 buick lacrosse (allure)It is reliable and safe. Unfortunately all models except the top of the line have an old push rod engine.
An overhead cam engine would sell more cars.
If you can give away 200+ cars on the oprah show -why not spend on making the 3.8L engine into an OHC.
Bwright
The Enclave concept is stunning. With that out of the way here is how GM will snatch defeat from the jaws of victory:
1. It is said that the definition of madness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. In that vein, despite the many reviews which have simply savaged GM for using fake wood on their products, GM will never learn and the reviews will, once again, take them to task for this no matter how convincing GM things the fakery is. This will help set the tone for how the car is perceived.
2. The leather covered dash won’t make it. GM figures that the money saved more than makes up for the negative sentiment of reviewers who will wonder what became of it (Automobile Magazine has already opined that neither the dash nor the aluminum trim will make it) and/or the inevitable loss in a comparison test to someone who wisely thought better of bait-and-switch.
3. What will make it is the gaudy chrome wheels. It is said that you cannot test a car solely on a test track as it will only be optimized for that venue. GM, however, believes that certain elements of the entertainment industry should set the tone for their cars. So, the Vegas style glitz will be the only option for the nicely sized wheels take it or leave it. One would think that a modicum of class might have been gleaned from observing that folks like Land Rover, BMW with their X5, MB with the M-Class, Audi with ther Q7 etc., etc. eschew tacky chrome wheels in favor of a matte finish (at least optional). But that would require both observation and a clue. Don’t wait up.
Andrew
Beautiful vehicle, however, the name conjures all the excitement of a Lawrence Welk show. Why not a more youthful name like Burst or Bounce? The name Enclave brings to mind….nothing. Give the car a name that represents the youthfulness it exudes in quantity. While you’re at it, change the Buick logo to the B that was used on the Riviera several years ago. The logo desperately needs updating. Either update Buick’s image now, or suffer the same fate as Oldsmobile.
Steevns
Bob,
You at GM (and Ford, they’ll hear from me next) have got to stop worrying about your marque’s “image” and start working on the future. What is this new Buick anyway? What is Buick if you can define it? Ah Ha…I thought so…I’m going to hear image rhetoric. I’m sorry to say that It’s my opinion that all you produce IS iamge rhetoric instead of what the world really needs.
Chris Sloan
Can I trade in my current Rendezvous even swap today!
Terry
Bob;
I saw this SUV at the Detroit Auto Show this weekend. I was prepared NOT to be impressed. I walked away wanting one!
Steve S
According to the podcast yu say it will be available this year. I hope that is so as I’d like to replace my wifes car with this. If you can get the price under a Lexus 330 I think you will have a winner.
Aaron Curiel
One word to demonstrate my thoughts on this crossover (CUV?)…. “beautiful”!!! I absolutely love it, it is by far one of the greatest vehicles I have ever seen. When you guys said that you were planning to fix the brands.., I didn’t really think you were serious. Most of us didn’t really think that GM was capable of creating a vehicle with so much passion, style, and beauty!
The curves on this vehicle are outstanding, and very Buick like. Now lets just hope that you guys (GM) can pull off this outstanding vehicle with a perfect price. Price it too high and it won’t sell, I think that that kind of pricing is shown in the failure that was the SSR.
Lets just hope that when the vehicle is brought into production that it doesn’t lose any of this passion, beauty, or style. Show everyone that GM is capable of bringing a concept to reality without making a major body change, so far everyone expects a beautiful vehicle like this to change by the time it comes to production.
Bob Lutz.. you are a savior to GM, you brought back the greatness that GM once was. Lets push the bland Toyohondassans back to where they belong!!
Glen Messer
Beautiful car (CUV)! Last time I was this excited over a Buick was with the ‘87 GNX. However, this thing is bigger than my wife’s Escalade…..is a 3.2L going to be enough? How about a five passenger option? Who actually uses their third row?
stephen clifford
I’m a buyer if it rides like a Park Avenue and has a telescoping steering wheel with lots of travel.
andy ross
Bob,
Can we build the Enclave,Can we,Can we,Can we?And reskin the Rendevous in the same style. Then when your finished doing that,a size 3 car in the same look.
Dick Z
Bob,
beautiful, hopefully the production model has the stuff winners are made of. I’m tired of reading the Lienart’s reviews that find some small thing in GM vehicles that they can id as subpar vs the competition. Go GM, you can do it.
Bill
I am going to buy a vehicle this fall. I am really looking forward to seeing the Enclave come out. I been looking for 2 years and am tired of waiting.
Andy
Bob–
I was a “GM guy” in my 20s, but switched to Japanese cars when their value proposition overwhelmed you. Our trucks have always been Big 3. I recently switched employers, and their policy for executive cars is Big 3 only. I grudgingly ordered a Ranier after seeing one at the DC Auto Show. It’s the nicest truck I’ve owned (solid axle and 6000 lb towing capacity, but QUIET!). We’re ready to become Buick people (I’m eating words I said 20 years ago). I have to trade it in next March — can you get the Enclave out by then? You’d make me a hero in my wife’s eyes.
Kirill
I believe it would be wise for General Motors to scrap the entire brand of Buick and concentrate on narrower, BUT thoughtfully constructed model (and brand) line. Look at the facts, GM folks: All of Buick vehicles are replicas from other lines; there is nothing Buick in Buick anymore; all models can no longer face the competition in the entry-level luxury segment; and the bottom line - it’s plain bland. Buick’s only hope is older generation of retirees, and doesn’t matter how hard Tiger tries, the younger buyers do prefer something else. Why not offering already established Cadillac by improving this brand further as well as expanding it into all areas of the luxury segment (entry-level to ultra).
Kirill
Teri Leach
What is the cargo volume for the Enclave? I have a Ranier right now and LOVE it! I am extremely disappointed to see it discontinued.
公司法
I was this excited over a Buick was with the ‘87 GNX. However, this thing is bigger than my wife’s Escalade…..is a 3.2L going to be enough? How about a five passenger option?
公司法
BUT thoughtfully constructed model (and brand) line. Look at the facts, GM folks: All of Buick vehicles are replicas from other lines; there is nothing Buick in Buick anymore; all models can no longer face the competition in the entry-level luxury segment
Allan Stanisz
BUILD IT, DONT CHANGE IT!!!! I currently drive a Raineer V8 and would put off upgrading to a Cadi for this crossover. Keep a loaded out model with the 21 in wheels and I love the overhead LCD’s and attention to the leather wrapped everything (Hint:The leather wrapped dashboard is a bit much). But keep a model just as it is and you will give Lexus a battle they wont ever forget. Don’t cheapen and option down to appeal to the crusty old fart who doesn’t want to spend more than 20k to replace their 93 Le Sabre like Buick has a habit of doing. Its not broke dont change it I love the center console that extends all the way to the back with a LCD on it… Your on to something here I hate putting in all that stuff aftermarket because you are just prone to failures and unecessary maintence…
Jim MacMudo
I too own (lease actually) an 05 Ranier and look forward to the Enclave being available later this fall. I hope the final drive ratio is a bit taller than the LaCrosse CXS I drove about a year ago — the thing was turning 2500 rpm at 70 mph with the engine sounding like it was working much too hard.
Jennifer Crawford
IF the Enclave looks EXACTLY like the concept-including the 21 inch wheels!-I will be at my local Dallas Buick dealer the DAY it comes out to buy one! The sooner the better, BTW!This will be my FIRST GM purchase!
Chris Orosco
Wow - definately not your father’s buick. I own a Tribeca and Outback and love them both. But now I’m willing to replace the Outback with the Enclave — if Buick delivers.
phoenix
Buick 4ever
jbfalaska
Proud owner of 3 Buicks. Agree, Buick kind of was looking around for a design them for awhile. I headed straight for the Buick Regals during the design hiatus. GS and LS versions; wife has the 200HP, I the 240HP version. Wife traded in her Toyota Celica after so many repairs, I couldn’t believe it. Cost a fortune. She has yet to go in for anything other than oil, filter, and a transmission flush. I have yet to have a repair done on her 98 Buick. My car, the AC only at 130,000 after running it 24/7 in South Eastern heat and humidity. I ran it 24/7 for my allergies - expected the repair. Regal is a marvelous, powerful, quality, gas sipper with HP to spare.
Nice to see the Lucerne and Enclave arrive - I’m buying one or the other. Unbelievable interior on the Enclave, unbeatable exterior on the Lucerne. Tough choice, but I’ll probably go with the Enclave crossover and enjoy the interior view right along with the window views. Counting on Buick’s infamous quiettuning of Buick works. Love the Regal’s quiet interior and hope the “hear a pindrop” stays. Beats those tin can Asian imports everytime. Imported “Clink” versus American “Clank.” Gotta love it.
jbfalaska
Oh, and thank you Buick for finally getting rid of shale gray, dove gray, rainy day gray, and more gray to spare. The interiors were really getting depressing. The Enclave is stunningly beautiful - every square inch.
Ash Majumdar
Mr Lutz:
I have always been a big fan of you. And I agree whole heartedly for the strategy that you have set for GM. There is one comment that you had met which I do not see any execution on. You had said that
“Pontiac and Buick are damamged brands”
I think they are 2 extra brands that General Motors can do without. Pontiac should be scratched and I will like to create a New Chevrolet line called “Chevrolet Redline”. These should include all the Chevy Sportscars with lead by the corvette.”
The Enclave is just overbearing. The Buick logo is too big, excessive chrome. The chrome bands are too wide. On the contrary the execution on the GMC version has been on the Money, tastefull, aggressive…just right. Buick keeps missing the mark, not to mention the old geyser image. It makes no sense to me having 3 brands of the same vehicle. Given that I don’t have not looked up the true sales. I do not however think that the sales will hit DRI volume forecast. There should have been only two versions of this vehicle. A Cadillac and a GMC version.
Now, Let’s take Toyota, with just 2 key lines Lexus and Toyota they do a great job beating every car company in sales.
Mr. Lutz, You killed the overdesigned GM Styling making it once again a car enthusiast want a GM car. The ugly interior is replaced with a classy and elegant Delphi black tie radio.
Reducing GM brands and hiring a solid Marketing team should make GM vehicles #1 again.