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I agree. It's a shame that we won't see it in the U.S. I'm usually not a fan of small boxy vehicles, but this one has some sort of indescribable cool factor to it.

The only change GM would need to make to the Astra 5-door, roadster, and (Calibra) coupe to make them Pontiac products is installing a twin-nostril grille; GM would have to install a waterfall grille on these products if they were assigned to Buick anyway (as well as change the interior lighting scheme from red to blue and add "Quiet Tuning" measures). As far as making dramatic exterior changes to the cars to differentiate them: it appears as though the next gen Astra sedan is already receiving some significant exterior modifications in its transition from an Opel to a Buick. The entire front and rear treatments of the Buick compact sedan are significantly different from the Opel Astra 5-door. The only common looking elements between the 2 versions are the door panels; other than that, they look like 2 totally different vehicles. I think the significant exterior modifications as well as the difference in bodystyles would be enough to keep these vehicles from appearing and being perceived as rebadges. This is a little different than taking a Cobalt coupe, simply changing the grille and taillights, and calling it a Pontiac G5. A particular bodystyle would be exclusive to its respective brand with the Buick products receiving significant modifications (which appears to be happening anyway) in order for the products to be perceived as proper Buicks. I think if you were to sit a Pontiac-ized new gen Astra 5-door next to a more significantly Buick-ized next gen Astra sedan, I doubt many people would perceive them as blatant rebadges. As far as interior treatments, different finishes and lighting schemes could be applied to differentiate the products. Pontiac would go sportier (metallic finishes with red lighting) while Buick would go upscale (piano black with blue lighting). With the brands sharing the same dealer network, I don't think sharing the same basic interior design is a problem. The finishes of the interior just need to be customized to fit the image and mission of the respective brand. Basically, the idea was about taking the bodystyles and assigning them to the brand that could best utilize them to reinforce the image and purpose of the respective brand. To me, Pontiac would be better at selling the hatchback, coupe, and roadster while Buick would be better at selling the sedan, crossover (or "4x4"), and possibly wagon (although I didn't include the wagon in my original post). Personally, I'm fine with all the versions of the Astra coming here as Buicks; I just want to see them offered in the U.S. market. I do think GM would have had an easier time selling some of the sportier looking Astra variants under the Pontiac brand though. I think Pontiac and Buick could have both been used to effectively target specific demographics (as well as avoided alienating Pontiac fans and loyalists) with some tweaking and fine tuning (and without utilizing rebadged Chevrolet products). Introducing coupes, roadsters, and hatchbacks back into Buick's lineup will be a tricky endeavor; I think it can be done, but it has to be carefully executed. Placing these bodystyles in Pontiac's lineup would have been virtually effortless. Anyway, Pontiac is being phased out and Buick is being expanded (which is actually fine with me, since I tend to be more of a Buick enthusiast anyway; I still think Pontiac could have played a relevant role in GM's recovery plan, however). I wish GM lots of luck and success in expanding and transforming Buick. I hope it works out for GM as well as Buick.

Assuming that the Dodge fullsize CUV is based on the same platform as the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, I really don't understand why this product is being developed for Dodge instead of Jeep. To me, a fullsize CUV based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform should rightfully be the next gen Commander instead of a Dodge fullsize CUV. I would expect the Dodge compact sedan to be a sedan version of the next gen Fiat Bravo. I would expect the Chrysler compact sedan to be a sedan version of the next gen Lancia Delta. Expanding on this line of thought, I would expect the Dodge small car to be a rebadged next gen Fiat Grande Punto and the Chrysler small car to be a rebadged next gen Lancia Ypsilon. I think the Caliber should be morphed into a proper compact CUV instead of discontinued. It sort of straddles the line between compact hatch and CUV now. I would just evolve a next gen version into a proper compact CUV. I do see quite a few of these out and about on the road. The Town & Country should morph into more of an upscale MPV and lose some of its minivan persona. The major refresh of the Sebring next year should be interesting. It will be nothing short of a major miracle (and a good indication of whether Fiat knows what it will take to successfully turn Chrysler around) if the car can be altered to make any sort of positive impact in the market. I would remove the C-pillar fakeout and slightly lengthen and significantly restyle the front and rear so that the refreshed version looks like a 7/8 scale mashup of the 2010 Taurus and next gen 300. I would make it more formal looking (which I believe was the original direction before someone forced the idea to make it look like the awkward Airflite Concept). From the way the refreshes are marked on the Chrysler brand plan ("Major modification +"), the Sebring and Town & Country appear as though they are getting more significantly modified than their Avenger/Caravan counterparts. The "Journey" name seems out of sync with the sportier persona of the Dodge brand. Just saying... Overall, the plan looks promising and interesting... I sincerely hope its successful.

Can't really see enough to form any initial opinions yet.

This article appeared in Auto Express at the end of September. I didn't see it posted anywhere on this forum, so I decided to go ahead and initiate a topic with it. Link: Auto Express: Astra's New Family. If this article is accurate, then GM could have used the Astra line to transform and rebuild Pontiac as well as Buick. Pontiac would have received: * Astra 5-door: Pontiac LeMans * Astra roadster: Pontiac Solstice * Astra (Calibra) coupe: Pontiac Fiero Buick would have received: * Astra sedan: Buick Centieme * Astra CUV (4x4): Buick Bravura Basically, Pontiac would get the sportier looking variants while Buick would get the more elegant looking variants. Pontiac's lineup would have been completed by an Insignia based Grand Prix sedan and a Commodore based Bonneville sedan (and maybe a Trans Am 2+2 sports coupe on Alpha). Buick's lineup would have been completed by the 2010 LaCrosse (although I would have rechristened it "LeSabre"), a Statesman/Caprice based Invicta sedan (with significantly restyled front/rear treatments; the Invicta could also be an Epsilon-Plus based fullsize sedan instead of being based on the Statesman/Caprice), an Epsilon based Rendezvous crossover/"4x4" (that won't compete with the Theta based Terrain?), and the Enclave (which would maybe move to Epsilon-Plus for its next gen model cycle so it won't compete with the Acadia?). Pontiac would have shared the Opel/Vauxhall front rear treatments (except for the installation of a twin-nostril grille) while Buick would get significantly restyled front/rear treatments (much like the upcoming compact Buick sedan based on the next gen Astra sedan) to differentiate its products from Pontiac's products. Pontiac products would continue with red lit interiors while Buick products would continue with blue lit interiors. This article just made me think of what "could have been"...

I agree. I like the Insignia and I like the U.S. version of the Regal based off that car, but I don't think GM went far enough to make it a Buick. GM simply put a Buick grille in the existing Opel Insignia grille opening and called it a day. The shape and execution of the grille on the new Regal doesn't fit with the grille treatments on the Enclave, LaCrosse, and this new compact Buick sedan. This may be the point, as GM is trying to market the new Regal as more of a sports sedan than a traditional Buick, but I still think it looks a little odd when it is sitting next to the other Buick products. I also agree with you that the new Regal needs ventiports on the hood somewhere to make it more of a Buick. Of course, I still think the Insignia would have made a better Pontiac Grand Prix (the Commodore would have been christened "Bonneville") than a Regal, but I guess that point is mute. To me, Pontiac and Buick could have had a relationship somewhat similar in concept to the one that I proposed for Mercury and Lincoln (with some exceptions) in the Mercury section of this forum (Oh well...). To me, GM is trying to shoehorn some of Pontiac's image into Buick when it could have simply and effectively differentiated and targeted the brands by giving them appropriate products (most of which were, are, or going to be available in other markets outside the U.S., so an extensive development budget wouldn't be necessary). I also agree with your statements about Buick and its appeal ratio as opposed to Acura's current design atrocities. Past Acura products might not have been revolutinary or cutting edge designs, but they certainly weren't repulsive. Honda and Acura have certainly not been my favorite brands in the past, but their recent urge to embrace a rather unappealing design aesthetic has definitely eliminated them from my consideration.

Continental S = sedan Continental C = retractable hardtop coupe (or coupe-cabrio).

Since FoMoCo is creating luxury products for Lincoln off the company's FWD platforms, I think FoMoCo should take Mercury in a sportier direction. Mercury's lineup should consist of select vehicles from Ford of Europe's product portfolio that are assigned to Mercury as "brand exclusives" (meaning that there wouldn't be any direct versions sold under the Ford or Lincoln brands in the U.S. market). Mercury would be aimed at a specific demographic that prefers slightly premium sportier products that emphasize style over ultimate practicality. It would serve as a more upscale, style conscious alternative to the Ford brand in the U.S. market. Mercury would essentially become more of a sportier niche brand to compliment Ford's role as the high profile mainstream brand and Lincoln's role as the traditional premium/luxury brand. Mercury would still be slightly upmarket from Ford, but it would take on a sportier tone instead of the "faux luxury" image of its recent past. Mercury would still be a niche player in the U.S. market, but it would be a niche player with a specific image, purpose, and mission. MERCURY: * Lynx: Subcompact 3-door liftback coupe on Ford's B-platform. The Lynx would be a rebadged version of Ford of Europe's resurrected Puma coupe (Link: Auto Express: Ford's Baby Cat Is Getting Ready To Pounce). * Capri: Compact 3-door liftback coupe on Ford's C-platform. The Capri would be a rebadged version of Ford of Europe's resurrected Capri coupe (Link: Auto Express: Ford Capri Coming At Last). I do hope that the actual production version is more attractive than the speculative illustration in the Auto Express article. I am envisioning a 3-door hatchback with a slight notchback coupe profile; sort of like the Scion tC, but much more attractive and sexier. * Milan: Midsize 5-door liftback "coupe" on Ford's CD-platform. The Milan would be aligned with Ford of Europe's "coupe" version of the Mondeo (Link: Auto Express: Mondeo Coupe Curves Up A Treat). * Cougar: RWD 3-door liftback sports coupe. The resurrected Cougar would be built on the Mustang's D2C platform, but it would feature Ford's modern kinetic design language as opposed to the Mustang's iconic retro design. The Cougar would be sold under the Ford brand in foreign markets, making it a global car. * Maverick: Compact 3-door crossover "coupe" on Ford's C-platform. The Maverick would be a rebadged version of the "coupe" version of the Kuga CUV (Link: Auto Express: Kuga Coupe On The Prowl). * Mariner: Compact "MAV" on Ford's C-platform. The next gen Mariner would be aligned with Ford of Europe's upcoming next gen C-Max (Link: Net Car Show: Ford C-Max (2011) With Pictures And Wallpapers. The next gen Mariner would be marketed as more of an "urban lifestyle activity vehicle" instead of a traditional CUV. * Magellan: Midsize "MAV" on Ford's CD-platform. The Magellan would be aligned with Ford of Europe's next gen S-Max. Like the next gen Mariner, the Magellan would be marketed as an "urban lifestyle activity vehicle". Like the upcoming next gen C-Max, I would expect the next gen S-Max to have a cooler exterior design that would make it look less minivan-ish (Link: Net Car Show: Ford S-Max (2006) With Pictures And Wallpapers). To give a little more insight and perspective on the Ford/Mercury relationship: I view the Lynx/Capri/Milan/Maverick to have a similar relationship to the Fiesta/Focus/Fusion/Escape as the Scirocco/CC have to the Golf/Passat. The Mercury products are slightly upmarket sportier variations of comparable Ford products, just like the Scirocco and CC are slightly upmarket sportier variations of the Golf and Passat. FORD: * Fiesta: Subcompact 5-door and sedan. * Focus: Compact 5-door and sedan. * Fusion: Midsize sedan. Next gen aligned with next gen Ford of Europe Mondeo sedan. * Taurus: Fullsize sedan. * Mustang: RWD retro styled sports coupe and convertible. * Escape: Compact CUV. Next gen aligned with the 5-door version of the next gen Ford of Europe Kuga CUV. * Edge: Midsize CUV. * Flex: Fullsize CUV. * Explorer: Midsize unibody SUV(?). * Expedition: Fullsize SUV. * F-150: Fullsize truck. * Super Duty: HD truck. * Transit Connect: Compact commercial van. * E-Series: Fullsize commercial van. LINCOLN: * MKR: Compact sedan on a stretched version of Ford's C-platform. Styling would be strongly influenced by the MKR Concept. * MKZ: Midsize sedan. Next gen version on Ford's CD-platform. Exterior styling will be completely distinct from its Ford Fusion/Mondeo platform mate. * MKS: Fullsize sedan. * MK3: Compact retractable hardtop coupe on a stretched version of Ford's C-platform. * MK6: Midsize retractable hardtop coupe on Ford's CD-platform. * MKC: Compact CUV on Ford's C-platform. * MKX: Midsize CUV on Ford's CD-platform. Exterior styling will be completely distinct from its Ford Edge platform mate. * MKT: Fullsize CUV. "PIE IN THE SKY" PRODUCTS: * Ford Thunderbird: Retro styled personal luxury coupe built on a stretched version of D2C fitted with an IRS. * Continental S & Continental C "By Lincoln": RWD midsize sedan and retractable hardtop coupe built on the Thunderbird's stretched version of D2C fitted with an IRS. The Continental products would be marketed as a semi-separate flagship series under the Lincoln brand that would be targeted at European sport/luxury products.

I think this is one nice looking compact CUV(?) or MPV(?). It may draw some badly needed attention back to Mitsubishi when it comes to the U.S. Mitsubishi should discontinue the awkward looking Lancer Sportback when this model arrives in the U.S. I think U.S. buyers will accept and consider this over an odd looking hatchback. Link: Net Car Show: 2011 Mitsubishi RVR.

I know it's not a real possibility, but it would be cool to see Saab join Renault/Nissan. Saab could be a quirky European premium brand to slot above Renault (which I view as a quirky European mainstream brand). This way, Renault/Nissan would have a mainstream/premium Euro based unit (Renault/Saab) and a mainstream/premium Asian based unit (Nissan/Infiniti), as well as their other minor brands (Dacia and Samsung). To me, a Renault/Saab relationship would equate to a quirkier version of the relationship between VW and Audi. I think Nissan/Renault have a credible selection of platforms that could be successfully modified to underpin future Saab products. I'm not a big Saab fan, but it would be a shame to see the brand handed over to the Chinese or completely discontinued.

In my idea of a perfect scenario (with Pontiac still around), GM's U.S. Delta II compact car offerings would look like this: CHEVROLET: * Cavalier: Rechristened Cruze sedan. The "Cavalier" name should have never been abandoned, IMHO. I would also add a wagon variant since this product would be the high profile affordable compact small family oriented offering from Chevrolet (I know the Orlando MPV is also coming, but there might be some people who prefer a regular car offering with more utility; a Cavalier wagon would fill this niche). Note to GM: Please remove the tacky black plastic C-pillar fakeout from the sedan before you introduce this car to the U.S. market; a simple chrome surround around the side windows would do nicely. * Monza: Notchback coupe. The Monza would share no sheetmetal with the Cavalier. It would have a traditional "3-box" notchback configuration with a trunk. Since the car would have its own distinct design, it would carry a separate model name from the Cavalier sedan. The idea here is to attract younger buyers to a Chevrolet compact car who might not be attracted to the somewhat sedate styling of the Cavalier sedan. PONTIAC: * LeMans: Rebadged new gen Opel Astra 3-door and 5-door. The focus for the new LeMans would be a sporty demeanor and driving experience. Pontiac would be the only division to offer liftback Delta II based cars. * Solstice: Rebadged new gen Opel Astra roadster. Auto Express claims that the next gen Astra TwinTop model would be a 2-seat roadster instead of the current TwinTop's 4-seat configuration. This would make a nice new Solstice for Pontiac. BUICK: * Centieme: Buick-ized new gen Opel Astra sedan. This sedan would focus on providing a luxurious driving experience. Just like the spyshots of this car suggest, this product would have unique front fascia, headlight, and taillight styling from the Astra hatchback models, which would properly differentiate it from Pontiac's offerings. I only focused on car products. I didn't touch on Delta II based utility products (MPVs and/or CUVs).

I still think that the new generation Opel Astra 3-door and 5-door should be available in the U.S. as the Pontiac LeMans. Buick would get the sedan version ("Centieme"), which would be geared toward providing a luxury driving experience. Pontiac's hatchback versions would be geared toward a sportier driving experience. Of course, I think the Insignia sedan should have been a Pontiac (Grand Prix) too and we know that's not going to happen. Oh well...

One word: SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!! I think it looks good as is. I wouldn't change a thing. It looks distinctive and carries Cadillac's Art & Science design language well. Can't wait to see one out and about.

Wow! So somebody at GM finally suggests what many C&G posters have been insisting all along: Zeta is an excellent platform that could be viable for future products with some updates/improvements in mass and fuel efficiency. It's great to see that someone at GM "gets it". I hope he succeeds in expanding the utilization of this platform.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I think the 2010 Opel Astra 5-door would have made a nice Pontiac LeMans. Since the grille, headlights, and taillights look significantly different from the Astra based sedan that Buick is getting, I think the 2 models could have been sold in the same dealer network without directly competing or overlapping. To me, the 2010 Astra 5-door looks sportier and a much better fit for Pontiac than the Toyota derived Vibe ever did. I still think GM (or the government or both) gave up on Pontiac too fast. The upcoming Astra 3-door/5-door (LeMans), Insignia sedan (Grand Prix), and Holden Commodore (Bonneville) would have made a nice 3-car lineup for Pontiac. The upcoming Astra sedan (Centieme?, Vectra?, or Regal?), the 2010 LaCrosse (which I still think should have been called Invicta or LeSabre), and a fullsize Epsilon-Plus based sedan (Invicta or LaCrosse, whichever name wasn't used on the 2010 LaCrosse) would be joined by 2 or 3 crossovers to form Buick's lineup. From what I understand, GM is going to try to market the Insignia based Regal as a sports sedan; maybe they would have had an easier time with this if it was the Pontiac Grand Prix instead. To me, This: 2010 Opel Astra Wallpaper, Source: Net Car Show which represents Pontiac much better than This: 2009 Pontiac Vibe Wallpaper, Source: Net Car Show & This: 2009 Opel Insignia Wallpaper, Source: Net Car Show which would make a more appropriate Pontiac midsize sedan than This: 2009 Pontiac G6 Wallpaper, Source: Net Car Show Plus This: 2008 Pontiac G8 Wallpaper, Source: Net Car Show which made an appropriate flagship sedan for the brand (although it should have been called "Bonneville" = a nice niche lineup for Pontiac.

As far as engines go, I would be happy with the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The shape of the taillights is fine, but the interior elements look like they belong on a cheaper car. Maybe the actual production sedan will have better elements. I would either like to see LEDs or at least something that has a clearer, jewel like appearance to it. GM appears to have done such a great job with this car overall, I would hate to see them cheap out on this one detail.

Yeah, I guess I missed them. I went back and looked at the pictures. It's obvious that the ventiports are there in the shot where the 2 sedans (one with foglights and one without) are sitting side by side. That's definitely a relief. Overall, this design seems more upscale and flowing than the Cruze. The only aspect that bothers me is the taillight elements; they look a little downmarket for a premium segment compact sedan. Other than that, the exterior design looks completely appropriate. I love the Buick-ized front end treatment. The shape of the grille and headlights are wonderful. The interior looks identical to the Astra 5-door, which is great. The only aspect about it that I don't like is the red trim on the dashboard and door panels; it looks kind of garish. I'm sure that red trim can be avoided with other interior color choices though. I would still love to see the Astra 5-door make an appearance in the U.S. also.

I think this is shaping up to be one nice compact sedan for Buick. It is clearly a sedan version of the new Astra, but it appears that GM took a little more effort in ensuring that the front end treatment fit in with the Enclave and 2010 LaCrosse. I provided a link to the article below (Sorry! I'm not sure how to import photos). Link: Baby Buick Spied With Less Camouflage, Source: World Car Fans P.S. I am disappointed that I don't see any ventiports. P.S.S. I also don't want to see this nice looking sedan carry the "Verano" name. I would still settle for "Vectra", personally.

I would actually settle for "Vectra". It hasn't been used in the U.S. market yet. The only problem with "Vectra" is that Opel has already used the name in China. "Verano" just doesn't make much sense.

I don't think younger buyers will remember the Apollo's short lived and less than stellar existence in Buick's lineup. I was a youngster when it was around and I barely remember it. I really wasn't thinking about the space program in my usage of the name. Apollo was a Greek/Roman god of sun and light (among many other attributes), which could be spun to represent a convertible (top down fun in the sun) or an electric vehicle (light/sun conveys a source of energy as well as enlightenment to new ways of vehicle propulsion). Basically, I was looking at past model names and selecting those that could be relevant or spun into a modern context.

I agree. Alpha-numerics are boring and have been done to death. I think it would make Buick look like a trend follower instead of a brand that's brave enough to go its own direction.

I like that idea. I think it would give the compact sedan more premium cred. I don't think the model names need to align exactly between the North American and Chinese markets. The names should be customized to the markets based on which ones would create the biggest impact on their respective markets. I can understand GM's decision to continue the "LaCrosse" name in China since the name was involved in the brand's expansion in the Chinese market. In North America, the "LaCrosse" name has a dubious slang connotation in Canada and represents a low period for the brand in the United States and shouldn't be continued. The "Excelle" name also needs to stay in China since it would inevitably be connected to a notoriously inferior product from Hyundai's past in the U.S. market. I know there are probably cost advantages in marketing a car under one model name across the globe, but it simply shouldn't be done in this case.

I agree, although I think resurrecting "LeSabre" would have been appropriate also. LaCrosse, Lucerne, and Allure are 3 names that need to be dropped and left forgotten.

I agree about the "Rendezvous" name. There's no reason why it shouldn't be used on a sub-Enclave Buick CUV. "Verano" is horrible. Try again. "Encore" is not too terribly exciting either. Past model names that could be resurrected if applied to appropriate products: * Riviera: Personal luxury coupe or a flagship sedan. * Invicta: Flagship sedan, some sort of coupe product, or CUV. * Electra: Flagship sedan or some type of electric powertrain product. * LeSabre: Midsize or large sedan. * Rendezvous: CUV or 5-door hatchback (Buickized Opel Astra 5-door). * Regal: Midsize sedan. * Apollo: Some type of convertible or some type of electric powertrain product. Acceptable concept vehicles names: * Centieme: Compact sedan (sort of a play on the "Century" name without the direct negative connotations) or CUV (like the concept vehicle). * Bengal: Some type of coupe or convertible (like the concept vehicle). Acceptable Opel model names: * Vectra: Compact sedan or compact 5-door hatchback (Buickized Opel Astra 5-door). * Insignia: Midsize sedan. New names: * Bravura: CUV or compact car. * Vivace: Some type of coupe or convertible product. * Plateau: CUV. * Regatta: Coupe, compact car, or CUV. I know it's terribly close to "Reatta", but I still like it.