Buick Is Popular in China?
By Steve Shannon
General Manager, Buick
Have you been to Shanghai lately? It’s a young, vibrant, dynamic and technologically advanced city. And, believe it or not, it’s also a city where Buick is a very popular brand.
Few of us think of Buicks being sold anywhere but in the U.S, because Buick is seen as a distinctly American brand. However, Buick is one of the best selling auto brands in Shanghai and in China as a whole.
But that shouldn’t be surprising. After all, Buicks have been on the streets of Shanghai since about 1912. And one story suggests the Chinese were interested in Buick as early as 1906. A Motor Age article that year reports that two men attempting to set a transcontinental speed record in a Buick Model F were doing so in the interests of Yuan Shai Kai, viceroy of a Chinese province, who was interested in introducing the vehicle into China “if they come up to expectations.”
To respond to growing demand for its products, Buick opened a sales office in Shanghai in 1929, and a 1930 Buick advertisement claimed that “one out of every six cars [in China] is a Buick,” and that “Buick owners are mostly the leading men in China.” It has been confirmed that Pu Yi, China’s last emperor, owned at least one Buick in the 1920s.
In addition to Pu Yi, at least two other major Chinese political figures were identified with Buicks in the early 20th century: Sun Yatsen, first provisional leader of the Chinese Republic, was photographed in a Buick in Shanghai in 1912; and Zhou En-Lai, a popular president of more recent times, kept a 1941 Buick at his home at Shanghai.
The relationship between Buick and China goes far beyond sales figures and dignitaries though. GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) signed a joint venture agreement on March 25, 1997, in China’s Great Hall of the People. A plant was built, and the first Chinese Buick was driven off the assembly line on Dec. 17, 1998.
A 2001 survey found that Buick had a brand familiarity rating of more than 85 percent in China. Perhaps that’s why a recent article pointed out that Buick has been Shanghai GM’s passenger car leader since the first Regal came off the Shanghai GM line.
So, yes, the young and hip in Shanghai have made Buick popular there, and sales are strong throughout China. We at Buick are really proud of that.
- Posted in Auto Shows, Business
Phil
Yes, Buick is popular over there. Look at their Buick Lineup, compared to ours.
Phil Racicot
Hi Mr Shannon,
The Buick Royaum (Sporty) pictured is more pleasing to the eye than the other Royaum models I have seen are. Was it just a prototype? I still think it should be more distinct from the Holden Statesman but at least, it’s a full size RWD car like the Buicks I like. The fact that the Royaum is available with “GS” trim is also something interesting.
I really like older Buicks, mostly the 1959-60, the 1965-1968, 1974-76 full size Buicks. I also like the mid size 1965 Skylark Gran Sport and 1970 GS. I hope you’ll soon introduce a car that will have some of the styling cues and features that these Buicks have. RWD is a must for me and so is a hardtop body (I don’t like cars with center posts). Rounded bodies with some sharp edges like the ones found on the 1965-68 Wildcat and Electra 225 models are the most interesting. And large horizontal taillights are also things that I am looking for on Buicks.
Please build a new Buick that’s I’ll like as much as my old Buicks! I’m 29 and I can’t imagine myself still using my ‘65 Wildcat, ‘67 Riviera GS and ‘75 Electra as a daily drivers when I’ll turn 60 in year 2037!
Matt L
I would love to see the Royaum come over here to the US. The FWD LaCrosse is fine as an entry level model, but I think most Buicks should be RWD/AWD sedans. Buick should absolutely be competition for Lexus. The Lucerne is a great car for Buick today.
I’m also keeping my fingers crossed for the Holden Commodore to find it’s way over here as a RWD Grand Prix. I’ll believe it when I see it, but the idea is thrilling.
I just find it sad whenever I hear of a cool Domestic brand car being sold overseas, and not here. But Ford does the same thing. The Focus ST and the new Mondeo both look great, but no, they gave us that silly Five Hundred that the Impala eats for lunch.
But hey, we’re getting the Aura/Vectra (which I test drove recently and loved) and Astra (which I I could definitely see myself owning). So overall things are looking good.
Edward Hayes
Shannon,
Walk with me for a second because I have seen the future and it’s about Buick.
Now I told you about the time I was sitting in a British taxicab lamenting with my professor the day America lost the knowhow and ability to produce the great American automobile. We sat comfortably, two adults in the back seat of a car high off the ground, flat floors, high roof, spacious environment.
I told my professor American’s are going to reject the low seating height, lay down in a coffin riding style adopted by even the largest of American people cruisers. That was 1994, well before the crossover craze had begun and around the time the truck segment was just about to take off.
Here is the basic philosophy of the large car today. Let’s take the…ah, any mid-size will do and stretch it fore and aft. Raise the height? No. Make the floor flat? No. Raise the roof, seating position, trunk, hood? No. Just add a foot of space in the front and rear seat and trunk lets call it a day.
When I got back to the States, I saw our large cars, Town Cars and Caprice Classics swarming the plane and the airport. Boy there were large cars compared to Europe, but still the best large car was in Europe. I thought, these are not large cars, its just a barge. Comparing these cars today 2006 to the large cars of the 40-60’s is like comparing a barge to the Queen Mary II.
Now we have seen the station wagon version of the great passenger car take off, the crossover segment. I challenge Buick and GM to be the first to bring back the great American automobile.
High roof, high seating position, high belt line, flat floor, a distinct upright front fascia and a stately trunk.
I know the argument, the Chinese want modern, high tech…you know I got a sign on my desk “Clowns can Juggle.” That’s right we can do two things at once we can be high tech and at the same time complement our present with our past, look at the new Camaro.
And now the Holden FJ Efigy proved that retro can be hip, modern and just about the best looking car to come from any auto show in a decade.
In short?
I am excited about GM’s future, with its new found focus on design, because I have seen this successful route played out before. A similar outcome can be achieved if we achieve a similar height of distinctive automotive design.
Drex
Look at the front end of the Chinese Lacrosse and compare it to the American Lacrosse.
Is it any wonder Buick is doing great in China?
André
As well as the excelent reception in today’s China, I think that this is a very good hint that spreading the divisions more and more worldwide is the answer to keep them alive. If instead of Buick, Oldsmobile was the brand chosen to be sold in China, maybe the history would turn another way.
Hey, isn’t it time to globalize the divisions the more you can? Maybe in some countries like mine (Brazil) it wouldn’t work, because Chevrolet acts both as its original US’ purpose and as Buick, Pontiac and Opel/Vauxhall/Saturn do, but in other countries, it would be great.
Look at what DC is doing with Dodge, selling their cars in Europe. Compare to what are you doing with Pontiac (and also Buick, if you exclude China) and what Ford is doing to Mercury, keeping it restricted to only a country or some others bordering ones. Hey, if you made Buick in China closer to the true soul of the three-shield brand than it is being in North America, what couldn’t do minds from outside for the soul of Pontiac, for example?
And also, don’t forget that a healthy division is made of great cars and distinct personality. The 1970 Riviera is a perfect example of this.
You can also give to Buick some unique touches. Some people there mentioned the hardtop coupes and sedans as something they miss so much. Today, the only pillarless modern cars that we see with four doors are coupes like Ion and RX-8, but with side mouldings doors that take off any mojo. With four conventional opening doors, only concept sedans which real-world versions upset us by having A, B an C columns with huge blind spots, that that get worse, for example, in minivans with their windshields very far from the driver and a lot of pillars (see Opel/Chevrolet Meriva, for example).
In the architechture pre-Oscar Nyemeyer, people didn’t see the advantages of the reinforced concrete and put a lot of pillars in the buildings (the so-called “forest of pillars”). It was neccessary someone like him to show that a lot of nice sollutions could be obtained by using its properties to make things so safe and strong as that old ones were, but with a lot more of useable space and desobstructed view.
What I’m wanting to say with these examples? That you can make a pillarless car which has all the advantages of the old ones but so safe as any modern three-collumn one in a crash. I’m also saying that you can get rid of huge blind spots specially in cars with windshields far from the driver if you make them panoramic. You can do this if you want. It adds style and more active safety (less bilnd spots) without need of expensive things like the BLIS that Volvo debuted recently.
What I mean with all this? Maybe you have a lot of great engineering people, but they aren’t being challenged to do something different and as good as the conventional thinking.
BerettaGTZ
Steve,
Thanks for the history lesson. Yes, Buick is doing really well in China, for the moment. But don’t spend too much time looking back because as you know, China’s car market can turn on you in the blink of an eye. China’s customers are far more knowledgeable, demanding, and unforgiving than most people realize. All it takes is one botched launch, a major quality spill, or a few bad press writeups, and it’s all over.
And don’t discount the competition. Buick was out of the gates early and had a strong head start, but it will be much more difficult in the future to maintain momentum than in the past. Toyota is a fearsome force to be reckoned with in China, and they are only just getting started. All of the world’s car companies are here. There are more auto brands to choose from in China than anywhere else in the world. As Kevin Wale, president of GM China once said, “the challenge with being the industry leader is that you have an enormous target painted on your back.”
So congrats to Buick and GM for success in China. But don’t ever think your past successes alone can sustain you in the future.
duxingxin
Hi,I’m a Chinese .Yes,it’s very popular in shanghai ! Also,is popular in shenyang!
Christopher Popa
Mr. Shannon,
It doesn’t surprise me that Buick in popular in China, because when the correct, competitive vehicles are marketed and product investment is made, Buick can be successful anywhere! As fast as GM is turning Saturn around with Opel, they should be revitalizing Buick with several cars from China’s Buick lineup. Buick may have a long history in Shanghai, as you’ve described, but their heritage and importance in the U.S. is all the more glorious, and shouldn’t be ignored. Buick was the cornerstone on which GM was built, and with thought, sincerity, and creativity, it can still be a quite viable part of the company in the 21st century. Don’t leave Buick only with large vehicles - you know the market, in general, is gradually moving away from them. So, while the Enclave is beautiful, it needs a smaller Buick brother (Theta). Make the NG LaCrosse (Epsilon II) smaller, more of a contrast from Lucerne. And how about a new Riviera (Sigma), on a short-length wheelbase, but still with all of the distinct Buick style, power, and comfort? Or a vehicle named Wildcat, a great heritage Buick model? Please listen to your loyal Buick customers (and there are many of us who aren’t even 50 yet). Any of us would be thrilled to give you suggestions or input - if only you’ll listen. As the ’60s advertising slogan asked, “Wouldn’t you really rather have a Buick?” I would!
nowbe
hi,welcome to china!
Eric Matthew Vest
It is interesting what General Motors can do with a level playing field. With the training barriers (both formal and informal) and Japanese nationalism, General Motors might as well forget the Japanese market. It probably is not worth General Motors time. Please make Buicks, especially large sedans, rear wheel drive.
Respectfully,
Eric Matthew Vest
MIke
Buicks in China are much more appealing than ours, sportier, luxurious, and just plan better. Don’t get me wrong I love my Regal GS and all the power I can make from it and the little Eaton ;), but you guys need to give us some better Buicks. If we had a Regal similar to the one China had you’d still be making it. The Chinese Regal had headrest monitors, better interior, better exterior, just much more appealing over all. Give us a sporty Buick, even if that means reviving a GSX or GNX I really don’t care. As the saying goes when there is a better car Buick will make it.
Ben Langhammer
I currently own a Regal and must say there is not much out there that I would trade my Regal for from any manufacturer. The first time that I saw the “sporty” Royaum with a Buick badge I knew that would be the car to change my mind.
I love the styling of this car and I think it would be a great move for Buick to bring this to the US. But alas, the current Chinese Regal would have performed well over here but never saw the US market either. The fit and finish on the Chinese stuff is what lots of people have been looking for in a GM car but had been lacking. The current LaCrosse and Lucerne have definitely taken a step up, but now the Buick line-up needs this “sporty” Royaum to expand its market share.
edvard
I’ve been looking at Shanghai GM products for years. My uttermost reaction is that the Chinese Buick models have very little in common with the US models and in many ways are vastly more appealing to look at.
Part of the problem for Buick in North America is that they, just like Oldsmobile, had a problematic age-infused legacy. In plain speak, the cars chased down a generation for way too long. Right through the 90’s and early 2000’s, Buick was still going after the 60-70-something retirement age consumer. They were “granny cars” in every respect.
It takes years to erase that image, and I don’t think Buick has shaken that image to date here. Even the current lineup, though vastly improved from the older models are still way too soft looking, unsophisticated and for the most part bland beyond reason for a mid entry semi-luxury segment. The current NA buicks are well engineered and comfortable to drive. But they are still way off mark in terms of attracting younger consumers.
On the other hand, the Chinese market doesn’t have this legacy attached to the name plate. Instead the brand is chic, new, modern, and appealing. In my opinion, the Chinese Buicks are way more appealing in style, design, and value. I even downloaded a few Chinese tv commercials for Buick and their ads are way more on the mark than the current stodgy old man golfing commercials GM uses in the US. Their ads do what needs to be done in order to promote the Buick brand in a light that it should be cast in- a sophisticated car for the young and hip.
All these positive reports about GM in China is great news for the company. Gm was very wise to jump into the Chinese market so early and work with Chinese firms to deliver a product geared towards the national consumer.
I swear if you brought some of that same styling you have on your Chinese Buicks here, they would sell like hot cakes.
Eric Matthew Vest
Steve,
I had a typo in my earlier post. I meant trading barriers, not training barriers. Sorry for the mistake. I will proof better next time. This is how I intended to write my post:
It is interesting what General Motors can do with a level playing field. With the trading barriers (both formal and informal) and Japanese nationalism, General Motors might as well forget the Japanese market. It probably is not worth General Motors’ time. Please make Buicks, especially large sedans, rear wheel drive.
Respectfully,
Eric Matthew Vest
Andrew Charles
Before you start question why it is that China gets much nicer Buicks, bear in mind that vehicles in China escaate in price much more steeply than they do in the US. That Buick LaCrosse you like to much starts at US$28,000 for a 2.4 L 4-cylinder. Want a V6? A 3.0 L version of the Impala’s 3.9 L AFM engine will set you back at least US$33,000. The GL8 Firstland minivan (Chinese version of the Terazza), nearly US$37,000. The Buick Royaum, almost as big as the Lucerne, starts at just about US$47,000. The old Regal with an old cast-iron 2.0 4-cylinder, starts at over US$22,400. If GM offered the Chinese Buicks in the US at these prices and equipment levels, people would go into apoplexy. They do it every time GM introduces a nicer new model at a slightly higher MSRP, and these prices are much higher. You get what you are willing to pay for.
Paul
I’ve never understood the fascination with rear-wheel drive. When I was first learning about cars, my dad told me that I should buy a car where most of the weight is over the drive wheels, meaning front-engine, front-wheel-drive or rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive, because it would have better traction in the snow.
Maybe it’s because the only rear-wheel drive vehicle I’ve ever driven is a 1984 VW Bus, but I don’t understand the fascination with front-engine, rear-wheel-drive. Can someone explain it to me?
Talis
I never thought I would say this, but I am going to have to go to CHINA to get a half way desent BUICK!
besa
So I read the buick Article and then I went to the chinese buick site.Ha ha …Is gm suprised they are doing better in china compared to the USA.Well look at the Lacrosse in China and look at the one in the USA.The chinese Lacrosse can compete with Lexus beat Toyota solare and camry and go got the bmw and benz.
maybe its time gm put some foreign blood in the car designing team.get some of these chinese fellows to do our stuff and lets do theirs,well that is if they allow us,we might mess stuff up.
All in all gm ought to do better.Buick can do better than its does now.Chevy has to pull socks up.I live in Oregon,tell you what I look at a chevy 07 car and I would think it was made 5 years ago by lexus or toyota.
no wonder we are seeing more subarus and mazdas on the road here.
I know you do good with trucks but better be careful because nissan might just take the market.I am a strong gm support and these are just words of wisdom
Rick Lupori
Mr. Shannon: I hope GM has learned that when a Buick is equipped the way a Buick is supposed to be it will sell.
Buick is a success in China because GM sells Buicks in China.
Buick market share is falling in the U.S. because Buick sells RENTAL CARS in the U.S.
When a base Kia can be equipped with a basic safety feature like foglights and the same “must have” safety feature is not even available at any price on Buick models it is easy to see how buyers drive past Buick dealers.
All Buick models should have Fog Lights, Cornering Lights, Stabilitrak, 8-way heated power driver seats with memory, Leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, heated rear view mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirror with compass, outside temperature and trip computer and On Star turn by turn as standard equipment.
Buicks are luxury cars and should always be equipped as such.
Options should be equipment that allow buyers to customize their Buick to their needs. Things like 5 or 6 passenger front seating, leather, alloy wheels, sunroofs, wood or metal trim, chrome or gold trim packages, magnetic ride control, and high performance engines.
Where are the GS models?
Buick Gran Sport models were some of the best muscle cars of all time. The GSX and GNX models of the ’70’s and ’80’s are legendary.
The Enclave is the first Buick I have seen that even starts to define what a Buick in todays market HAS TO BE.
Put the Efijy in Buick showrooms and stand back, the response will be amazing.
Follow it up with a modern edition of the 70 GSX or 80’s Grand National and GNX and it will be like launching a rocket.
A new Electra 225 from the Holden Statesman and a true Riviera from the same will establish Buick as a classic luxury brand.
The Velite could easily be derived from the Lambda with Enclave interior touches incorporated in a classic 5 passenger hard top convertible.
A new Regal hardtop coupe would come from the Astra Twin Top and a true “little limousine” 4 door Century from the same.
The Epsilon II would spawn the next LaCrosse and Rendezvous with the Lucerne updated on a platform shared with the DTS.
Buick should be the FWD luxury brand for GM. I know everyone wants RWD models but there still is a viable market for FWD luxury vehicles. Buick may also look to put sliding side doors on the Enclave for a new Terraza luxury van for China.
Look at it this way to more competitors that leave the more GM can sell.
Besides the new Electra, Riviera, Efijy and Gran Sport models fill out the RWD market.
Please note that every one of these great vehicles would be sold in Brazil, Russia, India and China as well.
Remember in the luxury market it is all about style, materials and equipment.
Always has been, always will be.
john
Buick does not want to design cars that will offend traditional buyers. I think the Lucerne and Enclave are a great start but the next lacrosse needs to be more stylish and even a small luxurious Buick that has unexpected designs. Older folks appreciate style as much as young people. This applies to all countries.
Miami9
I heard the rapper Vanilla Ice is very popular in China too.
Andy
I’m in college and would not consider a Buick except for the Enclave. A Buick is an AARP member’s ride. My mother owned a Rendezvous. It was reliable, but that was it. The LaCrosse, Lucerne, and Terraza are about as vibrant and lively as a cemetery. The Enclave is a refreshing item, but it’s just one product. I liked the Velite concept car and would love to see something like it come to fruition.
Mr. Lupori is correct on Buick’s need of state-of-the-art safety and driving features for cars in its class. As a young person, I would like to see spirited design. I am fond of Buicks of the past, like the late 1940s Roadmaster, ‘56 Special and the 1966 Riviera. The Lucerne has the advantage of a V-8 option, but the interior and ride are below the Toyota Avalon in quality.
Beaugrand
“…maybe its time gm put some foreign blood in the car designing team.get some of these chinese fellows to do our stuff and lets do theirs…”
Comments like this make it seem the Nissan/Renault merger might have been a good idea.
Buick Diesel
The Lucerne has the advantage of a V-8 option, but the interior and ride are below the Toyota Avalon in quality.
Posted by: Andy on December 15, 2006 12:51 AM
Have you driven a Lucerne & an Avalon? Otherwise, you’re in no position to write such a comment.
The Lucerne is quieter than the Avalon & Lexus ES330, and is better than the Avalon in significant ways according to respected auto reviewer, James Healy: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2006-01-26-lucerne_x.htm
You also wrote: “The LaCrosse, Lucerne, and Terraza are about as vibrant and lively as a cemetery.”
After James Healy’s glowing review for the Lucerne, you must know some very lively & vibrant cemeteries.
The Lucerne isn’t perfect, but I like its interior & exterior better than the Avalon.
Kyle
Buick’s current line up is uninspiring. The LaCrosse is just plain ugly. It’s been said over and over again yet it will likely never change. The Lucerne is nice enough but is there any real reason to buy one over a similar Avalon? I won’t even comment on the Buick minivan and cross-over minivan. Those shouldn’t even exist. Buick needs better sedans. When all is said and done the sedan will still be here. It will outlast the SUVs, cross-overs, and their ilk. GM abandoned the sedan market for many years and is still playing catchup.
Buick needs to stop chasing the geezer set. There’s no future in that market. The upcoming elderly believe the brand represents out-dated thinking. They won’t be keen to flock to a Buick dealer. GM has shown it lacks commitment in so far as getting the message out about their brands. Take Oldsmobile for example. Just when they started producing some of the best products in GM’s entire line-up they were axed. You may be asking who has been successful in this regard. I say Hyundai. When I have non-car guys coming up to me asking about new Hyundais that shows the corporation has done their job educating the consumer.
I think part of GM’s problem is its continuing decision to divide its own markets. It makes it impossible to get everything you want. Want a good looking body? That model comes with a cheesy interior. Want all the gadgets? You’re going to have to get the sloppy suspension as well. Why can’t I ever configure a GM model the way I want? I can get close but it’s always missing something. A good example is the Impala SS versus the Grand Prix GXP. The Impala has a decent interior while the Grand Prix has a pretty poor one. If I want all the suspension/wheel upgrades of the Pontiac I’ll need to give up a nice interior. I wonder how it would have been if GM just built one car which had both traits I desire instead of spending more money and making two mediocre cars. Will the upcoming LaCrosse Super impress me? Probably not. I’m sure it will be a soft ride with a big engine.
Remind me again why I should care that GM is making progress in China?
jg
I fell in love with Buick when you guys introduced the Velite and I am waiting for that to come out. A lot of young people secretly like Buicks, just make one for us to buy!
Chris R
After reading the article, and visiting the Chinese Buick site. I too am left wondering why the Buick lineup in China is both more extensive, and better equipped than the Buicks sold here in the US.
I also agree that Buicks do need fog lights, and various safety and driving aids as standard. I’d also suggest that the Aurora V8 be revived for the optional Buick V8, rather than the 5.3 and that the pushrod V6 be dropped entirely in favor of the OHC V6. I honestly hate to see Buick keep getting panned in the press because they have pushrod engines.
jg
The Lucerne is way better than the Avalon. Buick beats Toyota in quality (JD Power) and the Avalon has had some quality/recall problems. The Lucerne is also designed, built,and tested in the U-S, and the profits stay here. Avalon may be assembled here, but if you buy one, you are supporting Japan’s economy.
Franknic
Hey Steve,
Maybe if your American lineup wasn’t so pathetic, you might be doing well here too. Listen to what Rick Lupori said a few lines up, he pretty much wrote everything I wanted to say.
I just want to know one thing though, how many people have to tell you about the Efijy before you start to consider it. It would do for Buick, exactly what the Solstice did for Pontiac.
By the way what happened to the Velite?
F.L. Timmons
About three years ago I was headed into downtown Seattle via First Avenue through the SoDo district. Up on the side of a building was an ad for Buick- in Cantonese! China is the fastest growing car market in the world and automakers are clamoring to get market share; however the danger is the government’s heavy-handed control(they make the US and EU governments look meek) and the ‘knock-off’ rigs that are coming from them. Not to mention their recent demand for all manufactures to turn over their product info and specs or be forced to leave. My point? Buick beter not forget about ALL their markets and hopefully re-invigorate their image.My wife is the primary driver of our modified ‘99 Regal GS and within the next year to year and a half, she’ll get a new car. Hopefully Buick will be in the running with something classy, quick, sporty,reliable, and a solid value. If not…
Andy
Buick Diesel:
Car and Driver ranked the Avalon No. 1 in a six-car comparo of large sedans. Consumer Reports rated the Avalon ahead of the the Lucerne in road manners, fuel-efficiency, and cabin materials.
As a matter of fact, I have driven a Buick LaCrosse CXS and a Lucerne CXL. My stepfather was in GM management, so we were exposed to the “fine quality” of Buick. The leathers in both sedans were of the finest quality plastic could offer, the LaCrosse reached sixty in about two weeks, and the Lucerne’s ride was about as quiet as LAX airport.
These are, of course, exaggerations. I found the Avalon Limited’s cabin plush, silent, and the road irregularities nicely suppressed. The Lucerne accelerated smoothly, but had terrible mileage and the “exciting” design that made the Avalon look like a McLaren.
To counter the raving USA Today review, here’s C&D’s Tony Quiroga’s take on the Lucerne:
“GM is the only automaker that continues to build front-drive V-8 luxury sedans. Challenge the Lucerne dynamically, and the wheelspin, torque steer, and indolent handling remind us why no one builds cars like these anymore. What’s amusing in sedans costing less than 30K is almost sad at nearly 40K. GM loyalists will argue that there are many people who will prefer the front-wheel drive and styling of the Lucerne to the comparatively showy Chrysler 300C – loyalists, yes, but not new customers.”
I have no idea what kind of ghetto Mexican knock-off Avalon you drove, but it must have been in the same imaginary kingdom as the Awesome Lucerne you praised.
With intellect,
Andy
Brian Dreggors
“With intellect”
Good to see that modesty and un-racism is in season. And such a shame the Avalon is on the fast track to being Toyota’s third mediocre attempt at craking the fullsize market. Fourth time’s a charm?
To echo the majority’s sentiment, give US Buick the Chinese treatment. Enclave is a great start. Let’s see the follow-through.
Edward V. Semrad
I’ve been driving Park Avenues ever since Olsmobile dropped the 98.I was interested in the Lucerne until I found out that the Heads Up display is not available and I couldn’t get the Stabilitrac option without the V-8 engine.
Why did Buick drop the Heads Up display option and make Stabilitrac available only with a V-8 engine?
I don’t want to give up those two features.
Scott
Young and hip are two words seldom used when describing Buick these days - how about injecting modern Buicks with a little bit of that stuff they have going on over at Cadillac? Buick has traditionally been the luxury/style brand priced just below Cadillac, now Grandma trades in her DeVille for a LaCrosse with a bench seat.
Buicks could use a bit more chrome, better hydes (it’s embarrasing for Buicks to have the same “pleather” as Chevys!), and a little more pizazz in the interior & exterior styling. Since Buick dealers are being bundled with Pontiac & GMC, skew the Pontiac products more toward pure total performance and the Buicks toward luxury performance. Excellent benchmarks from Buick history would be: ‘53 Skylark, ‘65 Riviera GS, ‘71 Riviera GS and the ‘87 Grand National.
Good to hear that China is a strong market for GM, but here at home it’s time to build Buicks that prove to America that the brand is still about “going fast with class”.
Flint Native
Reviving Buick! After revieiwing the upcoming Chrysler Imperial,I am convinced that this is a car that Buick should be building for the states!Why is the styling of the current buick car lineup so out of touch with style, fashion. The interior of the lucerne and the other sedan should be updated. The exteriors are bland. These cars need help. For instance the 1982 Riv was distinctive, elegant and nice to look at. Perhaps there is a Giles lurking inside GM waiting for the opportunity to transform Buick!
Tom
I own a 2007 Lucerne CXS and while it is OK and will no doubt be dependable, there are some annoying issues that Buick could easily fix. Hard to understand why in their “sport” model the shifter gate makes any thought of manual gear changing totally out of the question. Making a left turn without changing the radio station would also be a nice new feature. Nice sounding V-8, but it a lot of engine, and $$ for the meager HP and torque it puts out. While the dash has been praised as “simple and elegant” I call it bland and cheap looking. Looks 90% the same as my 06 bottom of the line fleet Impala’s dash.
To get me to buy my second ever Buick they need to start offering what China is getting here in the US. I may be over 50, but I ain’t dead!