titan

I don't like this car as all...

I think that many people are seeing Camry and ES350 in the Lacrosse because it's shares similar dimensions. But to be honest guys, there's absolutely nothing generic about the styling, whether inside or out. I've been monitoring other sites, and this car seems to be a universal hit with the some of the largest Buick critics I've ever encountered. This car oozes class, and Buick DID NOT skimp on the materials or offerings for this car. Finally, we have a "NO EXCUSES" Buick. Design touches like the Ventiports, waterfall grill, and the Sweep Spear character line are uniquely Buick, and harks to Buicks of the past; yet this car is thoroughly modern and contemporary. I want a CXS with the 19" wheels, HUD, heated/cooled seats, panoramic sunroof,ambient blue lighting, blue tooth, etc... I don't have a need for Navi, or the DVD entertainment, but hell, I may spring for the car with all boxes checked. I wish the CX trim level didn't even exist, with the CXL being the entry level car, but I understand there's a price point and equipment point Buick wants to target as it's beginner trim. Perhaps they'll raise the bar and drop CX trim over time as the Lacrosse gains acceptance over time and Buick's brand image changes in the mind of the the average consumer...

I fell the same way. Atleast it's REAL. Not having real wood would have been a deal breaker for me. PERIOD. If the pricing is right, I WILL buy this car... CXS, hear I come. FYI, Big Brother, the real wood applique needs to migrate to the rest of the lineup; or atleast the Enclave, since the Lucerne is dead in the water anyway. Also, take this Lacrosse blueprint, and apply to to all FUTURE Buicks... thanks.

+1

Real world pics... http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024 http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/imag....jpg&w=1024

LOL, I was trying to figure out how to post the pics on the thread, instead of just links. But I'll let someone else do it from the links so everyone can enjoy the real world pics... they're AWESOME.

Agreed. There really isn't much I'd change on this car. I'd take off that lame "GM" badging that's found it's way on every car GM makes... it's pointless. Also, I'd give it 20" wheels, not 19"s for the top of the line, lol (but now I'm just picking). I wish they'd loose the gray interior, base CX... and it's to drab and decontented for what Buick aims to be, but I guess we're progressing with baby steps, here.

It competes directly with the MKZ, not MKS. Out of the ES, TL, MKZ, and S60, this car is the clear winner in the looks department.

the MKS topes out at more than low 40's. The question is how much car Buick offers for the money. Buick can suppport a $48K sedan, IMO. It'd have to be decked out, LWB Zeta that's loaded with luxury, but it would sell, I think. The question is, should Buick do that, and leave a gap in the Middle of it's lineup. I think If they used a regular Zeta (G8 platform, and offers a choice of engines (more of a direct competitor in size and equipment to the MKS), then it should start where the Lacrosse tops out at and climb into the low-mid $40s. Though it'd only be slightly larger than the Lacrosse, I think it still sell as step up because it's RWD setup would lend it more luxury credibility, and ofcourse it should be contented as a step up also. The ES350 is actually slightly larger than the GS350, but the ES can't command GS dollars because it's FWD, doesn't offer a V8, and everyone know's it's platform is lifted from the Camry (except the ES owners themselves who pretend that's not the case).

You're right. They're not. It's amazing to me that some here still suggest that Pontiac will be reduced to a Vibe, G3, G6, etc. Pontiac will offer no volume brands, going forward. Certainly not any blatant rebadges. It'll share a platform or two, but will surely be unique to the brand and focused on performance. And when I say performance, I don't necessarily mean 400HP V8 power. The Solstice/Sky proved that GM could make a really fun small car. Instead of the next Gen Solstice being marketed as a Miata fighter, with the SKY gone, it can move upmarket; sold as a premium car that competes more favorably and directly with the Z4 and SLK. Sure, the price will be less expensive, and it may not have as much power as those cars, but with the right appeal and small numbers (an obvious result of not being a volume model), it's sure to help Pontiac regain some of it's coolness.

I agree 100%. The Enclave is Buicks best example that the brand isn't dead... and IMO, the interior can be upgraded to true luxury (real wood, softer materials). I see ALOT of 35-50 yr. old soccor moms and milfs that drive the Enclave (they can easily be driving RX350s). The reason they bought them instead of the Lexus was because it was larger, almost as plush in the interior and way more stylish and attractive for the exterior; all at a price that demostrates value when compared to the compeititon. Lets hope Buick can do this with the Lacrosse against the ES350. IMHO, Buick is still starving for a LWB Zeta based flagship named Roadmaster, Invicta, or Park Ave (the name Buick China uses), to go head to head in content, style and substance with the LS (all while being priced thousands of dollars cheaper).

Thant won't happen. Read the report... I've seen a few posts where your suggestion comes into play, but it won't happen. Pontiac won't get any warmed over rebadge sedans anymore, I think; especially not the G6. With the success of the Malibu, it'll be every easy for Chevy to sell a "sporty" model of it, similar to how Toyota does the same with it's Camry. GM stately that basically their going to keep Pontiac alive, but it will not step on the toes of it's big four brands (Chevy,Caddy,Buick,GMC), let alone step on the toes of brands it shares showroom space with (Buick,GMC). Pontiac will shrink to two or three specialized, very sporty performance models. My guess is all coupes, and all RWD for sure.

Damn. That's a damn good idea. It's a way to use the Lambda, spreading costs; yet won't compete with the Enclave (or Traverse, for that matter). Also, it provides a smaller, crossover based alternative to the Avalanche and gives GM a direct competitor to the Honda Ridgeline. It also gives GM a "right size" truck to compete with Ford's upcoming F-100 (though the F-100 won't be crossover based). That's a very good idea...

My thoughts exactly. It doesn't even mean they have to be gas guzzlers either. Just look at Lotus. Pontiac should have a next gen Soltice, and a larger RWD coupe that every light weight and a potent turbo inline four. If they're successful, maybe they could have Boxster or Cayman competitor... both are models I don't see Caddy every trying to compete directly against. They should stay focused on MB. As mentioned prior in this thread, I never thought that GM would even consider simply shrinking Pontiac and narrowing it's focus. IMO, it's a good thing; it liberates Pontiac to stay true to it's identity.

I know it's hard to look past what's in the present and immediate future, but Buick's potenital is great. It won't take a miracle to turn Buick around. Just the right product, brand identity, and marketing, IMHO.

I agree 100% I'd rather have two or three niche products that true to the essence of Pontiac's focus than warmed over products lifted from other brands. Theoretically, Pontiac could be a real hot brand.

Everything in the report focuses on BRANDS, as I've been saying. According to the report, page 18 states that GM's "Core Brands" (Chevy,Buick,GMC,Caddy) account for 83% of sales. I don't have problem with it either. Pontiac might work well as a highly focused, niche brand. The report says that's offerings will "specialty" entries that only complement Buick and GMC's lineups. That would help to keep sharing platforms to a minimum (does the enthusiast brand really need a FWD midsize sedan?), and also keep it alive. I'm guessing Pontiac's future includes mutiple coupes. The Solstice, a Mid RWD coupe, and a high performance light weight coupe would be cool. Pairing Buick and GMC, a la' Jag/Land Rover, isn't a bad idea either. I just can't help but wonder what their respective lineup will be going forward. Saturn... it's time to fold it, IMHO. The entire document is fascinating; a very good read.

Very true.

Marketing is extremely important. Also, Lexus "me too'd" MB to the point where they surpassed them, lol. GM has tried everything it save the other brands, and it hasn't work. Streamlining brands is necessary.

(sigh). Toyota is now the largest automaker, and after the year is over it'll be the largest in both sales and revenue. We're not talking downsizing sales volume. We're talking downsizing brands. Any car Pontiac, Buick, Saturn, and GMC sells can be covered under Chevrolet. Just like Toyota does now. All of those cars under one brands has helped Toyota get where it is. Out of the brands mentioned, Buick has the most potential for revival in the U.S. and is the only brand with a presence outside the NA market. I love all of them, but you can't think with your heart. If GM doesn't streamline brands, it will collapse; what will that do for the sake of our economy and middle class workers everywhere? Tell me, what does having to many brands have to do with middle class workers?

I totally understand where you're coming from, but in today's market the arguement still doesn't hold water. GM's vast portfolio only works when it controls enough of the market sales wise to make a business case for it. You're last sentence is very true, but we're not talking about selling the exact same CAR across the globe. We're talking Brands here, not cars. In that regard, the "king of homogeny" japanese companies have succeeded wildly. Toyota's brand is extremely valuable because their emblems are found across the globe. Ford's brand is much more valuable than most of GM's... it's a GLOBAL brand. Found in Europe, Asia, Australia, etc. GM recognized this years ago, and has strived to catch up to these brands, making Chevy a truly global brand. The same goes for they're hopes for Caddy. Even if Buick China has NO models in common with Buick NA, the fact that Buicks are found in both countries gives the brand huge strength. Also, I smile at the arguments I see on this thread regarding Buick as a "gray haired brand." That thinking is really narrow, and very short sided. With proper marketing and product, a brand's image can be changed in a generation... it only took Leus 20 years to become the powerhouse it is today. Buick can easily be an aspirational, near luxury brand; but it takes marketing dollars that are spread thin because some has to go to Saab, GMC, Pontiac, and Saturn. The same goes for product. That's ALOT of brands to nurture, and it's going wind up being a matter of survival of the fittest and a business case. It's my opinion that GM will choose Buick as the brand to save. It's also GM's oldest brand. As I said in an earlier post, we'll see soon enough what the fallout will be...

Scion may die. Toyota has already announce that Prius will not be a separate brand.

The need for Infiniti, Lexus, and Acura for their respective parents was a need for a luxury brand. That said, all three parents are trying they're best to make those brands global. Why, because it's important.

Wow, you just made my point. First, Global brands do work, immensely. Having a brand recognized worldwide is huge. Just ask MB, BMW, Audi, etc. Just ask Toyota, who sells more Lexus models in the U.S. then any other Luxury make, but still desires to expand into Europe and Asia. Secondly, Chinese and American Buicks are being intergrated as we speak! That menas sharing "costs, models, parts, even model nameplates;" the next gen Epsilon II based Lacrosse was largely developed and DESIGNED in China, not in the U.S. (though the U.S. had a part in the development of the car). The U.S. built Enclave is being exported to China. Also, many rumored that the next Commodore based Buick would be brought to the U.S. One of the reason to not bring it here is to possibly give it to another brand, like Pontiac, just to appease them and try (in vain) to it alive. Also, the Insignia based Buick Regal was just introduced in China. That's a car that was supposed to go to Saturn... all in vain. Perhaps it'll go to Buick now.

Still reading comments on this thread. I really think some of the suggestions for saving some of these brands are commendable. In the end, I just don't see it working. I LOVE Pontiac and GMC, but from a business standpoint I can't see keeping them. It's going to hurt, but GM will have to find a way to close some dealers. Saab and Saturn, along with Hummer (I know it's already for sale), have to go... This NA market won't sustain all of GM's brands, period. They don't own 50+ % of the market anywhere, and probably never will. I loved my mom's Cutlass Supreme, and hated to see Olds die. I loved my dad's Regal even more; hopefully Buick can be saved (see above argument for why). Either way, GM will have to get lean and mean, and do it soon. Hopefully we'll get a glimpse of the future in a few days...