VIDEO: Buick Invicta Concept at Beijing Auto Show
GM CEO Rick Wagoner and Vice President Ed Welburn Jr. introduce the Buick Invicta concept vehicle last week during the Beijing Auto Show. - Will Stewart, blog editor
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Thank you for posting this! If you visit the GM Internet fan sites, such as gminsidenews.com and cheersandgears.com, you’ll see that the Buick Invicta Concept is getting a lot of praise and attention. It’s a beautiful, modern Buick, and consensus seems to be the Invicta name should be used for production (rather than LaCrosse). It looks like it will be a big hit for Buick! Including reports of the vehicle here, with GM’s full press support, is part of what Buick needs to be fully revitalized in the NA market.
I’m happy to see the name INVICTA on a GM website! I didn’t see much of the car in this video but a good name is a nice start. I still hope it will be a RWD and that it will be as nice as the INVICTA CUSTOM models from the early sixties!
Ed Wellburn is the new Harley Earl!
Now all Buick has to do is keep the CURRENT LOW PRICE OF THE LACROSSE for the first two years, and sales will explode at that division.
Remember, Lexus at 40% off!
Because a Buick’s look and feel is entirely UNLIKE A PONTIAC,
a compact rear-driver can share the showroom with the necessary Pontiac to achieve the desired economies of scale.
When I saw that Stunning CTS Coupe, it had Bob Lutz written all over it. The GTO failed because of cost and was about 3 years too late getting here. Since he’s come back to GM, I have a Solstice, the car you should have built years ago( you’ve always had the parts to build such a car). You are extremely lucky to have “Mr Bob” onboard. The new Camaro may not be a big seller, but it was promised. I hope the next generation survives on the Alfa platform and that Kappa Nomad.
This just a postscript, Why didn’t you protect the Oldsmobile name? Toyota will probably use it in the Chinese market as a competitor to Buick.
Make this car the next LaCrosse, and use the Invicta name. It is beautiful inside and out, and with the right engines can be just the right car for the current market.
GM is doing well in China and this will only continue.
To me, this design holds an enormous amount of promise for a number of reasons. For one thing, it is perhaps the first GM vehicle I’ve seen that truly has the look of a mid-level luxury sedan. The treatment of the front fenders, the muscular looking head and tail lights are reminiscent of something you would see on a BMW or Lexus. The grille on the other hand is strictly Buick. This is the first Buick I’ve seen that doesn’t look like an old person car. The Lacrosse and Lucerne in my opinion missed their marks entirely. But this design realigns what GM seems to be targeting this brand towards, which is inline with Lexus and entry level BMWs.
I say you should go with this concept for immediate production. Market it as pure luxury. It will sell.
By the way, I’ve always been a fan of Ed Welburn’s approach to unveiling new concepts.
Mr. Wagoner,
Invicta: Great name and great design. Keep the same Buick comfort level of the La Crosse. The Invicta has a superior design. Make sure it offers the small things like MP3/Bluetooth. Give it an oil pressure guage, and an optional V-8 please. Can we have it sooner rather than later?
The Lacrosse is such a great riding/handing car. Make more people aware of it and they will take a new look.
The Invicta is the type of car that can excite the 30 to 40 y/o rising professionals. This is the type of car that will sell to all categories.
Thanks for listening to us. This car has design, most important factor is to get them looking and inspired to trade. GM comfort and feel will sell them once they drive it.
Offer Invicta with the 5.3 V-8, 3.6 and 3.8 in pearl white and gold.
Front wheel drive would also sell in this car. Design is more important than whether it is FWD/RWD. Actually, many prefer FWD. It would be nice if it were on the market right now. GM powertrains are so nice, the designs just need to be alluring as we have been telling you when we recommend them. This Invicta seems to have the overall WOW effect. While we would choose the LaCrosse/Lucerne over the foreign competition, we think you can do better on exterior styling. We really like the LaCrosse Super, but in Florida we want a lighter color like pearl white or gold rather than the 4 colors its offered in. Silver is just kinda dull. You see, the buyer has to settle for something. That’s not how it should be. And the confused may look outside GM even though there is really no foreign car that rides as nice as the Buick for those who want the scupted looks. Then they start looking at Lexus for the certain color. The new Lincoln MK-S is intriguing, but the American buyer is let down for having to ’settle’ for a V-6 even though it is a fine one.
You can beat the competition on contrast,color, comfort, and engine choices, when the styles are exciting. Why not offer the 5.3 V-8 in the Cadillac CTS. When we say things like this GM execs probably grumble, but we are serious. The 5.3 V-8 has the allure for the GM buyer, let them have it in the design they want, if they want the CTS with the 5.3 V-8 let them special order it, don’t hold back. Don’t let them walk to the foreign competition. Tell them if they are willing to wait a couple months you’ll get them the special car they want. Keep in mind that your brand loyal customers in new GM cars are your best advertisement.
Offer a special edition Malibu with the 5.3 V-8. Offer the high class colors in the V-8, gold, pearl white. Bring back the Mist blue color. In southern climate people like the lighter colors which are more reflective.
The car buyer is desperately looking for an American sedan to BUY. Energize your base to get the sales going. The LaCrosse has the best feel and comfort and the best engine offerings but the Malibu is better looking generally. This makes your base irritated. Why can’t we order the LaCrosse seating and engine in the Malibu.
Its these type of ‘issues’ that cause your buyers to hesitate. Buyers are pleased with the Lucerne’s interior and engine offerings, even though they like it, some are nit picking the design. The tail light size is out of sync (too small) for the headlights. Do we like it? Of course we like it, but we like the Malibu better. The Malibu doesn’t offer the level of luxury that Lucerne does though. Offer the design like the Malibu with the level of luxury/comfort and powertrain choice in the Lucerne/LaCrosse Super.
Don’t underestimate the power of a contemporary classic look for the full size sedan design. Michael Sabatini interpretations are superb.
GM execs should give more TV interviews on other networks like FOX and to some other TV journalists.
How about letting them know GM customers are telling you that GM makes the best cars.
We really don’t want to criticize GM, since we know you are a fantastic car company, and we hope you make lots of money and build more of the great cars, but when we hear people say they also know Chevy engines are better but they bought they bought the foreign pickup for the looks we have to let you know these things. Or when they say they rented a G-6 and it wasn’t as comfortable as they’d hoped and so they went out and bought a foreign car, we have to let you know.
I am expecting different bumpers, wheels, and a higher roofline, but I think the Invicta will translate really well into a production model.
Good job GM and Buick! Now keep the Invicta name
It looks great!
Please use the Invicta name on the production car.
Modern interpretation of a classic design is how I would describe this Buick relative to other luxury sedans that would be in this class. Without knowing measurements I would say the increased height of the door panels and thin greenhouse does approach the highest pinnacle of sedan design today along with the strong character lines that one would expect Buick to utilize more with its heritage than any other automaker. I don’t think the car over-promises and doesn’t offer anything which GM can’t deliver. If this is close to the production version I would say, Job Well Done.
Buick is like the boastful student that always talks about what they are going to do, what they can do, and always promises to deliver- not today but soon.
With the Enclave, Buick did deliver no question, and finally with a fine new sedan Buick boasts again, now we know it can indeed deliver and hope it will,and soon. And I, like many others know full well that Buick which introduced the best full-size crossover can introduce the best looking luxury sedan, coupe and compact crossover, but that shall be GM’s decision as to weather Buick can answer her promise of greatness or will she remain that talented student with the greatest potential that never reaches their true and proven potential.
Always falling short because of peer pressure, she is hanging out with the wrong folks. In the case of Buick her peers should be Hummer, Cadillac, and Saab. Better yet just stay home and study, at this point you shouldn’t be hanging out with anyone and then maybe one day you can afford a place of your own.
Still no matter what your age, recent grad or grand ma, you want dignity with a place of your own, and you would want a brand that does likewise.
In short…
Your design is there, the technology is coming but your reputation is lagging still far behind, in North America anyway.
Your new school in China, and your reputation there, don’t mess it up.
I hope someone at GM will notice how important selecting the right name for a vehicle is. Invicta is a solid Buick name to resurrect, Wildcat might be a little more effective since it isnt so far back in Buick history. None the less, a solid choice. Someone new making the naming decisons?
While I heard of a commitment to design, how about a commitment to the companies heritage (ie no Pontiac sport truck, call it Chevy El Camino and end the alphabet soup at Pontiac.) The right name in the right channel is just as important as the right product. A Pontiac sport truck is the answer to a question no one asked. Put the customer first in every decison you make and success will be yours.
the Invicta is AWESOME. The interior is DEAD SPOT ON to what a Buick should be, it’s perfect. The exterior is where my only quibble is. The rear deck is too short. Otherwise this will make a fitting Leap for Buick into its new market niche internationally.
Beautiful new Buick.
Should sell great both in america and china.
Why are there soooo many presidents ?
Whether these large cars eventually come here with a 2.0L Ecotec turbo four remains to be seen, but it certainly wouldn’t be strange. (Read my blog at CarEvo.blogspot.com)
The car looks like it stole some ideas from BMW. Nice looking car anyways. I agree the Camaro will end up being a flop. It has taken too long from concept to production. It has lost all its hype and buzz. Might as well count on low production numbers and a high price. I was highly anticipating it, but now im kinda looking more towards a g8 or finding a 05-06 gto. Whats the deal with it taking so long anyways?
Will,
With all this talk about future products, I would like to know what GM thinks about Fords EcoBoost program. A General Motors Variant of that engine could be wildly popular. Imagine an Invica with a Twin turbo V-6, that gets good MPG while making 340 HP.
Don’t get left in the dust…
Seriously, how many comments related to the oppression of Tibet and or China’s communist dictatorship (both of which are supported by the taxes GM pays in China) have you NOT posted so far?
Are the values of free speech and democracy only worthwhile as long as they’re not affecting market share?
Invicta means invincible in Latin. A bit boastful for China AND GM, considering the current situation.
As far as the name goes…
Invicta > Lacrosse
Invicta sounds classy and upscale, and more importantly, carries no baggage.
The Buick Invicta looks very good. Congratulations! Thank you for sharing this video and keep up the good work!
“Invicta sounds classy and upscale, and more importantly, carries no baggage.”
Lou,
That is if you disregard the fact there has been an Invicta motor car in the UK since 1925.
Regards,
Gary Dikkers
It looks like a toyota camry. Honestly! When is GM going to learn that your not going to stand out and make money by copying others?
Mr. Wagoner,
We appreciate your efforts to bring great looking cars like the Invicta to market at least what we can see from the photos.
GM engines are also important to us.
We hope that GM will not permit falsehoods to rule the market place with CAFE. Giving an inch is what the adversaries of America want. Time to push back. Many of us realize the oil crisis is fake. Call on Congress to fix the fuel supply and add more refineries and stop dumping on American auto makers. GM vehicles are very efficient, all sizes. We know GM vehicles have the best economy in their respective class. Be louder. Their bull horn is not about truth, its about wrecking America. Compromising with far left doesn’t work, it only emboldens their next attack. So stop compromising, tell them to repeal CAFE, its a failed policy, that is anti-America.
With all the changes to the platform (mechanically & electronically) please call it something other then LaCrosse for NA region.
You are out of your mind of you don’t use the Invicta name. Anything is better than LaCross or Lucern. These names are so so tired. Why not bring back Electra while your at it.
Ed Wellburn is a stylist. And it’s about time we had someone that has the eye. Seems like he knows what a Buick should look like with the Invicta. Please build it with all the good stuff and beat Lexus at it’s own game. The new LaCrosse is also a great looking piece on it’s own. Put in the right engine, interior appointments and a 4 speed auto. I know what the magazines say, but a 6 speed just shifts too much and people dont like that. Build it on the G8 chassis but tune the suspension for a Buick owner. Make a grand touring car like a Buick should be. We lost sight of what our brands represented to our customers and lost sales and market place due to it. People knew what a LeSabre, Invicta, Wildcat and 225 are. Let’s bring it back.
Does nothing for my and I have been a Buick fan for life. I have a 1960 Electra 225 convertible and was HOPING to see some styling that stood apart from the crowd, or preformance of the long dead Buick GSX’s or the 70’s or GNX’s of the 80’s.
As this Invicta is, it melts right in with all the blah cars manufactured these days (talking from first hand look of a normal buyer and not an engineer who may see tremendous subtle changes that the normal population who needs to buy these would not care about).
I don’t know what you are going to do but I would humbly suggest you QUIT trying to reinvent the wheel and instead give us something that is fun to drive and most importantly affordable.
There is nothing more frustrating than seeing these high dollar cars that you not only can not afford but even if you had the money look basically the same and are as exciting to drive as a long wait in a dentist office.
Please put some spirit back in Buick! Remember “light your fire”? I think the fact this one is surrounded by water is a foreshadowing to the lack of a WOW factor.
Wish I had something more positive to say but after being a Buick diehard all my life I am fed up with how reserved,boring and out of reach these new models are.
I have been converted to being a Ford Fan after having been sincerely GM for most of my life. I was reviewing the 1959 Buick Invicta as for a peice I was doing on my blog regarding this whole “bailout” situation. This car, as the reader states above, does nothing for me in the way of styling or concept.
In 1958, FOMOCO ran an ad declaring the boring and outdated styling cues of the 1958 Cadillac as compared to the Lincoln Continental at the time. They claimed that the Cadillac was just the same old boring design that echoed the sentiments of other GM models.
Its 2008. *yawn* Or is it 1958, again? Why does this Invicta look like the Lincoln MKS? The flame Top styling cues from BMW are apparent.
It wasn’t until 1959 that GM got its act together and Harley Earl FINALLY got Corporate GM out of his design Studio. It’s time to fire Lutz and Co, along with Ed Welburn. We don’t need new leadership at the top, we need a new executive board and a design team that is late 29 early 30 years old to lead the way.
The 1959 Buick Invicta was INCREDIBLE and Timeless art. The 2008 Concept is just another ho-hum car that will ultimately fail the name, “Buick.”
I want a new job. I’ve always wanted to work for GM. I have a vision. Hire me and I ll bring GM back to prosperity… Where is Lee Iococca when you need him?
thanks….
Can’t believe this is a buick!!! I would sell my camry to buy this car.. when does it come out and if Buick is still thinking about this they are dumb.. just do it..