| Will Buick survive GM's financial woes or | | | | than the models it replaces. It isn't likely |
| find itself in the heap of automotive history | | | | to captivate young folks, but probably will |
| along with Packard, Oldsmobile, DeSoto, | | | | be more than able to keep current owners |
| Plymouth, Nash, Hudson, AMC, Studebaker, | | | | satisfied. |
| Checker, and countless other makes? | | | | |
| | | | The LaCrosse has been well received and it, |
| During the 1980s, Buick was a brand that | | | | too, has replaced two Buick models when it |
| successfully straddled the fine line between | | | | was rolled last year: the Century and the |
| luxury and performance. This GM division sold | | | | Regal. Still, the car is based on older GM |
| big, fluffy Park Avenues and LeSabres, while | | | | technology and competes only marginally with |
| also selling the luxury/sport Riviera and the | | | | new models from Lexus and Toyota. Fresh |
| Regal. It was this last model, the Regal, | | | | styling has helped and will keep Buick |
| which stunned the automotive world by winning | | | | faithful happy at least for the time being, |
| Grand National awards during the early 1980s. | | | | but the LaCrosse hasn't won over many |
| Today, all four models have been terminated | | | | competitors either. |
| in favor of newer names including the | | | | |
| Lucerne, LaCrosse, Terrazza, Rainier, and | | | | Buick's three remaining models are all |
| Rendezvous, models that didn't even exist | | | | variations on current GM SUV and minivan |
| five years ago. Where is Buick headed? Will | | | | themes. There is nothing original about these |
| GM's troubles finally kill off the brand? | | | | models other than the Buick badge and a |
| Will the Buick name ever regain meaning? A | | | | higher level of standard equipment than let's |
| lot is riding on these questions; the answers | | | | say, the Pontiac Aztek. Oh, yeah, the |
| may not be as simple to utter or imagine. | | | | Rendezvous' twin, the Aztek, was axed by |
| | | | GM...too ugly! |
| GM's woes could spell Buick's demise. At | | | | |
| least that is the thought with some "experts" | | | | So, there you have it: five models pared down |
| who believe that at least two brands need to | | | | from almost ten that were offered just a few |
| be pruned from the GM line up to save the | | | | years ago. None are completely new and none |
| automaker. General Motors, for their part, | | | | have a distinctly Buick touch to them, making |
| has said that they will stick with all of | | | | Buick look as if it will, indeed, get |
| their brands; instead, the company is using | | | | whacked. |
| this crucial time to put into place a long | | | | |
| and painful process to remake its entire | | | | But that isn't what GM is saying. |
| image. With plant closings, layoffs, and big | | | | |
| losses racking up, the world's #1 automaker | | | | Instead, we know that GM is already planning |
| cannot afford a misstep, so whatever plans | | | | one new Buick model which, again, may replace |
| the automaker has for the company must be | | | | two current models [does anyone see a theme |
| executed flawlessly, otherwise further | | | | here?] The model being planned is an all new |
| trouble will ensue. | | | | crossover vehicle tentatively called the |
| | | | Enclave an AWD crossover vehicle capable of |
| Buick and Pontiac have often been cited as | | | | carrying six passengers over its three rows. |
| the two divisions being the most at risk. | | | | Yes, the vehicle sounds strangely similar to |
| Neither division has a clear identity with | | | | the Chrysler Pacifica and it appears that the |
| every model built by the brands similar to | | | | Pacifica is in Buick's crosshairs with this |
| models built by other GM makes. This hasn't | | | | proposed model. Little is known about the |
| escaped the notice of critics who have called | | | | Enclave other than that it will likely be |
| on GM to begin dissolving the two divisions | | | | powered by GM's new 3.6L V6, an engine lauded |
| immediately. | | | | by car critics. |
| | | | |
| If GM's words hold true, then Buick will stay | | | | Beyond the Enclave, Buick will have to bring |
| around. In what particular form is the | | | | out newer models to replace the Lucerne and |
| question, but the "general" has been giving | | | | LaCrosse soon after the Enclave's anticipated |
| us some hints in the form of the present | | | | 2009 model year release. Buick's chief |
| model line up as well as at least one future | | | | competitors are regularly updating their |
| model planned. | | | | platforms and an aged Lucerne or LaCrosse can |
| | | | only exacerbate the division's problems. None |
| Currently, the Lucerne is being heavily | | | | of this will occur without significant |
| marketed as it takes over the flagship role | | | | investment by GM and a cash strapped company |
| from the Park Avenue a model along with the | | | | cannot afford to build new models. |
| LeSabre the Lucerne has replaced. Based on | | | | |
| the Cadillac DTS, the car combines luxury | | | | Copyright 2006 - Matt Keegan is a freelance |
| with value to offer motorists a taste of | | | | writer covering all of the important brands |
| Cadillac lavishness at a discount. Therein is | | | | as well as industry trends. You can keep your |
| the rub: is Buick underselling Cadillac or is | | | | Lucerne, LaCrosse, Century, Regal, Riviera, |
| the Lucerne simply perceived as being all | | | | or other fine Buick running at peak |
| that different from its up market sibling? | | | | performance by shopping the Performance Parts |
| That is hard to determine. Regardless, the | | | | store for high quality automotive parts and |
| Lucerne is bit more refined and less dowdy | | | | accessories. |