mwaters

Will there be a future Buick flagship? Extended Epsilon II? Or is LaCrosse going to be the cream of the crop?

That's the final word from GM? Bummer. I just can't see LaCrosse as the top of the line Buick sedan once Lucerne fades away. Oh well.

I'm just wondering why Buick would have "Invicta" front and center under their vehicle lineup, rather than in a "future cars" section where concepts are usually listed.

Any ideas on how they take the marketing "out of the box" and reach for new customers?

If Buick is to be a "core brand", they're going to have to reach new customers. Enclave has done that to an extent, and done so based on styling and packaging. There has to be a "wow" and a "why" for their target market to step away from their Lexuses (Lexii?) and purchase a Buick. Not to be a Debbie Downer, buy they're going to have to justify thier purchase to friends.

Certainly if the product is compelling, there's argument #1. But I still think a top flight marketing agency and enough $$$ (there's a problem) could take the brand perception in a new direction. I say make a play on the past w/ the gorgeous Buicks of the 50's and 60's, but there also needs to be a tangible reason to choose Buick over its competitors - whether that be technology, styling, performance.....

Your typical Lexus ES350 or RX customer is just not going to even THINK about walking into a Buick dealership (and even if they do, there will be a 60-something salesperson waiting to "negotiate" with them). There's got to be a "cool" factor to purchasing the car. Great marketing and consistent, improving product is the only chance, but it will take several model generations to achieve that. The steady horse wins the race......

Again, hoping it could be a last minute decision. When I picture LaCrosse I picture rental or my local "seniors" grocery store. What I don't picture is a neighbor trading in a: ES350, A4, TL, C-Class, Maxima, Passat.....you get it......

I want Buick to succeed, but it will take new names and radical new marketing to make that happen. I'm 35 and don't know ONE person (other than my parents) who might actually consider thier current lineup (sans Enclave). Sad, really, but true. Rick, et al, don't get that. Minus radical rethinking of the demographic and mission, the brand will quietly die.

This was discussed in the other topic quite a bit.

The LaCrosse replacement is being called the LaCrosse. The name has even been shown in spy photos on the rear of the car.

On the Buick website, the vehicles listed are....Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne, Invicta....not in future vehicles, but the concept does pull up. Think we'll get a surprise and it will be called Invicta after all?

Hopefully...the ridiculous, meaningless LaCrosse name should die a quick death, just like the W body.

Also, if Invicta is to eventually replace Lucerne, they're going to need something better than LaCrosse. I don't know one import buyer that would EVER consider a "LaCrosse". It will be hard enough to get any young, successful professional to consider a Buick, period. Here's hoping for the best.....

Anyone else here a fan of those cars? A little bland, but I wouldn't mind picking up a lightly used example (if there were any out there).

Will we see the Buick LaCrosse/Regal in concept form?

Has the LAX replacement been confirmed for 2009 or 2010? Will it be called Regal? When should we begin seeing prototypes?

Will the 2008 model keep the "Malibu" name or go for something different - new or retro? I think it needs a fresh moniker to distance itself from the rental queen of today.

Whatever happened to accordingtoAHHA?

Where did GMI go? Not nearly as good a site, but just curious!

Scoop on ULC? What about CTC/ETC?

What's the scoop on the ULS? Still in the plan? Launch date? Ultra V8? Is the XV12 still in the pipeline too?

Chrysler is debuting an Imperial concept at NAIAS. Likely to have the 6.1 Hemi and be an EWB 300. Should it be a model or a stand-alone division? No doubt this will be a ULS competitor at a substantially lower price.