Jump to content
Server Move In Progress - Read More ×
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

Buick To Sell Opels Stateside

InvictaMan

By InvictaMan
in Buick

 Share

Recommended Posts

Z-06 Newbie

Z-06

Posted
Posted
Please, they could easily be modified with hood scoops and a twinport grille. If the Opel Astra convertible were a Pontiac, we'd all be happy.

We would then have to say AUFREGUNG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SAmadei Newbie

SAmadei

Posted
Posted

Last real Buick was built in 1996, and nothing Opel is going to build is going to put one in my driveway. Ironically, the only Buick that is Buick-worthy is sold only in China.

Americans have voted twice with their wallets that that Opels suck, and I think this is going to go over as well as the Opel experiment of the '70s, except it will further water done the Buick nameplate so GM can kill it as well.

Opels are GM's new way of killing NA brands.

And what happens when GM jettisons GME? Do they get Buick in the deal? Or does Buick become a niche manufacturer?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Croc Newbie

Croc

Posted
Posted (edited)
I sure wouldn't.

I don't think much of the Astra - especially as a Pontiac.

No, the Astra convertible...it's far more upmarket than the version of the Astra we got Stateside. It has the folding hardtop and bears quite the resemblence to the G6 styling.

astratwintopin2.jpg

2050801.001.1M.jpg

Edit: Astra TwinTop

Edited by Croc
Link to comment
Share on other sites
cire Newbie

cire

Posted
Posted

I really don't view the Saturn/Opel alignment as a legitimate test of Opel's viability in the U.S. That alignment experiment was misguided (Saturn?) and haphazardly executed (too many ways to mention here). I think Opel's current and future design direction will be decidedly more upscale, which will make it a better fit for Buick (it might even help to transform Buick's current stodgy, outdated image). As long as GM doesn't repeat the same mistakes it did in importing the current Astra 3-door/5-door here (again, too many to mention here), then I think the Buick/Opel alignment will turn out to be a lucrative venture for GM in North America.

I'm not sure about reassigning the current Vue to Buick's lineup, however. I think a facelifted version of the Vue with only the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo should actually be placed in GMC's lineup to slot below the Terrain. In the future, GMC should carry the CUVs while Buick should carry more car-like MPVs or tall wagons. Redundancy and brand dilution need to be eliminated from B-P-G.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
cire Newbie

cire

Posted
Posted
I'm taking it that this is one of your cryptic hints that a lux version of the Opel GT (aka Sky) is on the way? Buick finally gets its roadster or convertible?

How much longer are they going to keep Kappa going anyway? I thought GM lost money on each Kappa product it built. I can't imagine the corporation making any kind of competent or coherent argument to the task force overloads to justify this program's existence or continuation. Don't get me wrong, I like both Kappa products; I just don't see how the program is going to help put GM on the road to recovery if the entire project has been completely unprofitable.

If they do give Buick a rebadged and facelifted Sky, then the Solstice should only be available in coupe form. There is no reason to have 2 roadsters at the same sales channel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
buyacargetacheck Newbie

buyacargetacheck

Posted
Posted (edited)

Agreed. But this Opels-as-Buicks "plan" isn't going to happen anyway. Chances are GM is about to become a minority owner in Opel as Opel goes its own way http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6be22014-2cfd-11...144feabdc0.html .

The Euro-Dollar fluctuations make importing cars from Europe expensive as seen with the Astra. Plus European cars have never been well-received here as mainstream vehicles anyway (too small, ride too firm, too expensive to maintain, not as reliable as Toyondas, etc. And, eventually, Buick will become a Chinese-only brand as it fails to gain traction as an upmarket brand in the US while its traditional customer base dies off. Sooner or later Cadillac will end up squeezing Buick out of the picture at the entry-lux price points.

Last real Buick was built in 1996, and nothing Opel is going to build is going to put one in my driveway. Ironically, the only Buick that is Buick-worthy is sold only in China.

Americans have voted twice with their wallets that that Opels suck, and I think this is going to go over as well as the Opel experiment of the '70s, except it will further water done the Buick nameplate so GM can kill it as well.

Opels are GM's new way of killing NA brands.

And what happens when GM jettisons GME? Do they get Buick in the deal? Or does Buick become a niche manufacturer?

Edited by buyacargetacheck
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Camino LS6 Newbie

Camino LS6

Posted
Posted
You're saying you'd still find it a downgrade and less true to Pontiac's brand than the G5? Ooooookkkkkkkk...

I never said that.

The G3 and G5 are very wrong for Pontiac, and so would the Astra be. Less so, or moreso, doesn't really factor in.

Wrong is wrong, no matter the degree of the wrongness.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
toesuf94 Newbie

toesuf94

Posted
Posted

I wonder if Car and Driver will be daring enough to road test the things...back in 1968, a photo of a then new Kadett was taken and run in the magazine...in a junk pile!!!

This will be interesting if it works. The current marketing has not helped Opel sell well here under the Saturn banner...er, what marketing - I know!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ZL-1 Newbie

ZL-1

Posted
Posted (edited)
Chances are GM is about to become a minority owner in Opel as Opel goes its own way.

I think FT's source might be wrong. Unless GM collapses entirely (i.e., no orderly, pre-packaged bankruptcy), I see New-GME following the GMDAT Model: GM retains 51% equity stake and the remaining 49% are sold to purely financial investors.

Edited by ZL-1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Oracle of Delphi Newbie

Oracle of Delphi

Posted
Posted
Agreed. But this Opels-as-Buicks "plan" isn't going to happen anyway. Chances are GM is about to become a minority owner in Opel as Opel goes its own way http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6be22014-2cfd-11...144feabdc0.html .

The Euro-Dollar fluctuations make importing cars from Europe expensive as seen with the Astra. Plus European cars have never been well-received here as mainstream vehicles anyway (too small, ride too firm, too expensive to maintain, not as reliable as Toyondas, etc. And, eventually, Buick will become a Chinese-only brand as it fails to gain traction as an upmarket brand in the US while its traditional customer base dies off. Sooner or later Cadillac will end up squeezing Buick out of the picture at the entry-lux price points.

I hope and pray Opel leaves GM ...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


×
×
  • Create New...

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search

Change privacy settings