Don’t Miss the Riviera Concept
You might remember the Buick Riviera Concept that we wrote about last year here on FastLane. The Riviera will be at the North American International Auto Show this year, so if you’re going, make sure to check it out. If you can’t make it to the show, make sure to check out Flickr for an updated set of photos. -Alicia Dorset, blog editor
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Hummmm!
Okay let’s see if I can figure this one out.
China + Buick = (Success) X
X = The Population of China
Riviera is China’s first Buick.
I can’t wait to see their twentieth.
Buick’s heritage is not only strong in the US but as well in China. Now that GM sells more Buicks in China than the US the bottom line is this.
Buick’s headquarters belong in China. It’s China’s #1 brand and it has been there as far back as the 20’s.
The above photo of the Buick Riviera concept is more stunning than ever! The chrome used in and around the front end really stands out, and it’s beautiful!
I would love to see Buick made over like Saturn, where in a couple years the Enclave is the oldest vehicle in its lineup. The Riviera and Velite are good starts. I hope something similar comes along in production form very soon.
you should resurrect the Buick nameplate by bringing over the Park Avenue, build the Riviera and offer new models. You should do focus groups to gauge what consumers want and who are the potential buyers.
The 1963 riviera was (and is) a thing of beauty; sadly, the Riviera concept is not. The ‘63 had a clean, uncluttered, sensual look, the present concept is a cluttered hodgepodge of bad ideas.
But then, I despise “bling.”
Will this be another Nomad, a great concept that is shown but doesnt make it to the showroom?
Buick as a brand has great potential, if you guys only knew how to market it. A mistake to turn your back on its great heritage. Lacrosse and Lucerne should be points on a map and not car names.
PS-How about a Grand National concept?
I’m am sorry Mr. Lutz and Mr. Welburn, but that’s no Buick Riviera there. I know Harley Earl (MisterEarl) has been long gone from GM’s Design, and along with Bill Mitchell (also departed) is no longer able to show GM the way to the pot of gold.
With the new Enclave I was surprised to see Harley’s influence (Y-Job, portholes) in that design. I am sure that more of a few Buick people like us would prefer a more American Design Influence for the Buick make.
Not that ‘anime’ version of a legendary Buick nameplate, the Riviera.
Sorry Mr. Welburn, I drive Roadmasters and Park Avenues, and you’re no Harley Earl.
And regardless what the Buick Dealers prefer, for pete’s sake, give us the Chinese Park Avenue. That, at least has more MisterEarl in it then that Riviera Concept………..
the Park Ave sold in china is really a Holden, not much more than a G8 with some minor changes to make it more LUX.
I’d say bring over Holden Park Ave, and Riviera Halo car!
Buick has hit a nerve with buyers and they need to strike while the irons HOT!
i read this article at http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN13358600,
which states that honda is already making money on clean diesel and is gonna make money with next generation hybrid. I really dont know what is going on, Bob. Honda is many times smaller than GM, yet it has the resources to produce a clean diesel system that doesn’t need a urea tank. You got to hand it to them. The way i see it this: buy a 34% controlling stake in Honda or partner with Honda.
The Riviera is one of the most increadible designs I’ve ever seen from GM. Its a shame its not a North American design, though if it comes to the US it won’t matter to me. I personally prefer the exterior lines of the Riviera over the CTS, though I think GM has done an amazing job on the CTS. My hope is that they offer the Riviera as a CTS alternative for those of us who want the sportyness and style and power but also want the refinement of a Buick.
I’d buy one if they offered it with a high output diesel (350 HP) that still managed at least 35 MPG and if it has optional AWD, and automatic cruise control and of course the CTS nav system. The car is absolutely amazing, I only hope GM brings it out SOON.
I didn’t start off as a Buick fan, but have come to really enjoy the quiet and smooth ride that Buicks have. I hope GM can combine this with some younger generation handling and perforamance and still keep the car as a great all around car.
The interior (dash specifically) is a bit to simplistic for me. I wouldn’t mind a few digital read outs for gauges and a conventional H pattern shifter for the autos (or a good old 6 speed).
Stunning!
Nice. Does it come in electric?
Douglas,
Respectfully I disagree. who cares about the name plate its only a name. I’d love to see the new Park Ave here but I doubt it’d come over to the US as it is in China (probably cost way to much). And the Riviera I think is awesome as it is. Maybe its got the wrong name on it, but its a sporty car, that has nice curves and has the potential to get the youth of this country to buy it. I should know, I am in the younger crowd. So if you like your Park Aves and old Buicks… there are plenty of them on the road to enjoy. Buick needs to depart from the “old people car” as my friends call them. And I think both the Park Ave and the Riviera are a good start.
Now if they only see the light of putitng diesels in them.. maybe Buick has never done that before in the US, but times are changing.
This is an absolutley stunning vehicle. It needs to be produced along with the Velite and bring the Chinese Park Avenue over.
I work in management at a Buick dealer, attend 20 Group loaded with Buick dealers and have yet to hear one say they did not want the Park Avenue. Quite the contrary as a matter of fact. I don’t understand where the comment comes from that the dealers don’t want it.
Imagine a lineup of Riviera, Park Avenue, Velite, Lucerne, Enclave and redesignd Lacrosse. Lexus can’t even come close with their lineup.
The Riviera concept is sensational and needs to be built. In the meantime, I agree with all the others who’ve suggested that the Chinese/Holden Park Avenue must be brought to North America. One look at the Chinese PA says it all.
As an owner of a Holden/Pontiac GTO, I recognize the handling and performance potential of the new PA, since they are on a similar platform. Contrary to what anyone else might say about what Buick customers want, we late “Baby Boomers” and younger customers prefer a more BMW-like ride and performance in our luxury cars.
Mr. Lutz, keep the LaCrosse for the FWD fans and replace the Lucerne with the (Holden) Park Avenue. Offer the 3.6 VVT as the standard engine and the 3.6 Direct Injection for the performance version. Price these similarly to the Lucerne CXL and CXS and then watch them roll out the door.
P.S., my wife’s ‘98 Park Avenue with 126,000 miles is getting a little tired, so the sooner you bring the Holden/Park Avenue to the U.S. the better. An early 2010 Park Avenue in my garage sounds right to me.
They need this now, not in 10 years.
I like all of the new GM concepts – Volt, Camaro convertible, Riviera, Hummer HX. I’d like to suggest a future retro-styled Corvette in the 1958 classic style. If you judge popularity of this body style from the Barrett-Jackson auction price of offered ’58s, I’d say you’d have trouble keeping up with demand!
Well Nate, if it weren’t for the fine folks at Cadillac and their dealer network and their choice to pass on the then (and still) stunning design of the Silver Arrow concept back in ‘62, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
It’s only a name, right?
Edsel…> humm, that’s a good one for starters.
Luckily Buick knew then what a winner was. I am afraid they don’t anymore.
I respectfully disagree with you, sir.
In case you didn’t know, Nate- that concept became the ‘63 Buick Riveria.