InvictaMan

So long ventiports...

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?

The word is out that Buick is to take Saturn's place as the Opel rebadger for the US. A VUE redeux is to be the first model based on this unconfirmed report. Final word to come down by June 1st deadline. Link to Leftlane article here.

Cire, one thing is for certain, this thing shares nothing visually with the Chevy Disney World.

I like everything but the upside down sweep spear. Didn't Nissan find out the the broken belt line look only appealed to a very small market. It is a nice bold, flowing design, I'll give it that. That's a lot of chrome going from headlight to tail light. Front end, dead on, back, nicely Enclavish. Interior is great, wish I could see it without the reflections. That dash is very reminiscent of the Centieme concept. Not sure what is happening with the tail lights when the gate is lifted. Either the interior opening is very narrow, or the whole light pod lifts with the door.

Glad to hear that GM has denied the sale. The rear definitely needs Enclaving, but I'm thrilled to see this vehicle coming. Wish I could remember where the posts were from a ways back, where the Buick compact concepts appeared in the background. Could be some previews there. Can't wait to see, and I feel better for Buick now, thanks Wildcat.

Opel Zafiras, Opel Zafiras! Get your Opel Zafiras right here. I would hope that they would give the Orlando more than a nose job for the Buick makeover. The Zafira design is more in line with Buick language. A baby Enclave would be a winner and what I've been hoping for. But then, now that GM has damaged Buick with the threat of sale, guess I'll have to wait and see if my next vehicle will even be a GM. Sure was eyeballing that new LaCrosse, oh well.

There just isn't any need for two truck divisions in one company, even Ford sees the logic in this. It's time for GM to quit hanging onto the GMC brand for the sake of nostagia. If they have to trim the BPG down to one brand, it must be Buick to make GM a well-rounded company. If you take away Buick, after all the momentum they have gathered over the last few years, you take away the models that are geared for middle America. Obama is all about middle America. I don't think he would push back the date for middle Americans to get their digital TV boxes and then force GM to do away with the brand that is classic middle America. The sad part of this is that Buick, to me, is the embodiment of American style. It has been difficult enough to water that down when the brand went global, but to give it away all together... that just un-American! Oh, and btw, I posted this article, why is Dodgefan making edits to its initial content and taking credit for it as the poster when it hits the front page of C&G? That is just un-American too, lol.

Buick may be sold to Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). To get the details, read the article linked below. The rapidly slimming General Motors might soon cast off another brand, according to a Chinese media report. General Motors is considering selling its Buick division to the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), according to financial newspaper the Shanghai Securities News. The deal could potentially involve a sale the Buick name only, or it could include the sale of plants, tooling, and designs to SAIC. Buick is extremely popular in China, despite its relatively limited success in America. The Obama administration has apparently asked General Motors to slim to just three brands, the report says. With the Hummer brand up for sale, Saab’s future in question, Saturn likely to be spun-off or killed, Pontiac being phased out, and Opel potentially for sale, it’s easy to see how this might be achieved. In fact, wouldn’t be surprised if Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC are the only brands left standing when the dust settles. General Motors is hoping to restructure to the satisfaction of the Obama administration by the end of May, in order to receive more government aid. If this fails, GM will be forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Although the sale of Buick is strictly a rumor at this time, it opens the door to a great deal of speculation. For example, what would happen to Buick’s stylish new U.S.-specific 2010 LaCrosse? We’re pretty sure GM would not scrap the model entirely. Could it become a Chevrolet? We wouldn’t rule that out. Link to Leftlane article HERE.

Guess I'm old school, but I liked the days when Buick was the sporty luxury division and Cadillac was the high end luxury division. Obviously, for Caddy to survive as the top tier in today's market and expectations, they assumed that role. I think it would be interesting to see how things would be today had GM not taken that direction and the GNXs and GS/GSXs were the CTSs of today. Buick has always been to me the GM brand that has no excuses luxury, technology and style, with a curvaceous, sporty flair; at a price that suited middle America. I miss the days of "American Spirit."

OK, OK, insert the founder of this segment, RX, in place of Venza, lol.

I agree that Buick needs a smaller sedan, but they also need products that set them apart in emerging markets. I said on this site ages ago that Buick needed an X6 competitor, a product that serves as a sedan and a crossover. Now with the advent of the Venza, ZDX and other similar products on their way, Buick is missing the boat. A crossover that looks like an upscale, four door coupe is a perfect addition to the Buick line-up. Better hurry, it's already too late.

I agree with the attention; however, even in their hay day of badge engineering, GM's divisions managed to differentiate the front and rear fascia, the fender and door panels and the wheels. Some even got unique rear quarter panels and windows. I do not agree with bringing Opel cars over for Buick and leaving them with nothing but a grill and badge job. Hello, Saturn? The world is too small for that now and it would not be a service to Buick, who is now recognized as a core division that is making a name for itself by crafting unique cars and crossovers on existing platforms. The Enclave and the LaCrosse garner too much credibility for the brand and don't deserve to be stabled up with a rebadged Opel.

No, but unfortunately what I do see is that annoying Opel Hockey stick along the lower door panels, which leads me to believe that the folks at Buick think that Opel design cue is perfectly acceptable as a Buick design element, a la Regal/Insignia. No.

Glad you enjoyed your trip to NC. I really liked hearing your impressions. It seems like a lifetime since I lived in Charlotte. When there, I lived in the Glen Hollow section, just south of South Park. At that time it was the up and coming place, the new money section; however, I had very little of it as a fresh grad building a career. That's what I always liked about Charlotte, there were always opportunities where ever for who ever, you just had to look for them. The Northlakes section is crazy. Over populated, swiftly developed, crowded and the traffic sucks. It reminds me of the South Park area when I lived there in the 80s, just on steroids and out of control. Way more new money than the south side had then. I truly love uptown Charlotte. If you have to live in the center of a big city in the South, Charlotte is it. Now, I live in Mayberry, in my small hometown. The best benefit is I am in the middle of everything I love, Charlotte, Lake Norman, Blowing Rock, Linville Gorge and Asheville. Everything within about an hour. Hope you choose Charlotte for your future. You will love it and the folks there will be there for you. It really is a big city with a small town vibe. Thanks for sharing and keep us informed.

Call me slow, but I just discovered The Lounge recently. Guess I've had my head buried in the Buick forum for too long. I saw the birthday greetings and searched back and what do you know, I had one too. Thanks guys for recognizing my senior moment, lol.

For a great, greasy fix at drunken 4 AM there is nothing like the Knife and Fork. Been serving inebriates for decades. There is also a big Greek festival in Charlotte. Great food and lots of Greek folks! And the Brown Mountain lights are visible from my perch on Linville Gorge. Love to go there at 1 AM to spot them on moonless nights.

Same chassis, different skin, different interior, tweaks to justify the price increase.

Kissing Cousins! I actually think the Lexus looks the most out-dated and uninteresting here, and it is the 2010 model.

Those up high shifters are making good stack design a bit of a challenge. Hate the new Pilot for that.

I was a little put back by the grill and the obvious Ford undertones on the lights, but they have grown on me. It is the bustle back and the Acura TL front fender that is still bothering me. Generally, I like it and I like this category. A wagon with SUV traits. And I also think the interior is not so bad looking for its price point, stylish yet understated. Material choices are very Toyota. Buick could definitely feed on this market if they don't wait until the trend is over. The best part is you can market them like a car, like Toyota on their web site, and overcome the SUV stigma slumping sales. Besides, there are going to be a lot of disappointed MKT potential buyers out there; this and the Enclave could accommodate them, depending on the size and seating preference.

Why would Buick want a Theta when they could have the more refined EpII SWB Regal as both a smaller sedan and wagon? For very little retooling costs. Besides, Cadillac already has the SRX, wouldn't that be cannibalizing and badge engineering?

Now that you mention it, they are identical.

You are missing nothing. For once it would be nice for Buick to be on top of an emerging market. I agree on the Venza, it is attractive to me in style (I like the Buick version better) and function. Plus, the 4WD option on the EpII platform would make one Hell of a nice crossover. Gee, an SUV on a car chassis, how novel.

Tall it up a little with a new skin and stance and it makes a great baby Enclave crossover. EPII SWB Invicta crossover? Invicta Crossover