by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 03/14/2017 at 13:05
by "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
Published 03/14/2017 at 13:05
Tags: bye bye opel
STARS: 3
Now that Opel/Vauxhall is no longer a GM company, where will Buick get its design and development? The GM division is apparently doing well with its SUV-based lineup and is debuting new vehicles and a luxury sub-brand. They won’t be able to rely on Europe anymore to produce badge engineered cars for them. The
Detroit Free Press says
,
GM will rely more on engineering and design resources in Asia. The learning curve must be steep, or the consequences will be grave.
But, with the Avenir and Avista, we saw that Buick’s American design teams have a bunch of talent that could keep the brand moving forward and becoming more desirable if they unleash it.
"FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem" (fuelstratifiedinjection)
03/14/2017 at 13:09, STARS: 0
SUVs, crossovers and the Chinese market.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
03/14/2017 at 13:11, STARS: 2
Chevrolet
"My X-type is too a real Jaguar" (TomSlick)
03/14/2017 at 13:13, STARS: 0
New Buicks will be developed in China as that is Buick’s biggest market.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
03/14/2017 at 13:15, STARS: 0
Opel’s influence on Buick has only been with cars (Verano, Regal, and Cascada). Cars are not selling so I’m sure GM does not consider this a big loss.
China will pick up most of the development effort for Buick.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
03/14/2017 at 13:16, STARS: 0
China. That’s supposedly why Buick is still around anyways. The Envision is the next wave after Opel, I think.
They’ll design and build cars for China, then export what they think will sell here, I suspect.
"diplodicus" (diplodicus)
03/14/2017 at 13:34, STARS: 0
Are any of the Buick cars built on the Alpha platform?
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 13:41, STARS: 0
You think they will rebadge Chevrolets?
"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
03/14/2017 at 13:42, STARS: 1
The Encore is already built in South Korea. The LaCrosse and Enclave were designed in the US. We’re getting the 2G Insignia as a Regal. The Cascada will probably not be replaced when they decide to axe it in a few years. We already get the completely competitive Envision from China. And China also makes the next-gen Buick Verano (which we don’t get in the US, sadly).
Seems like the Chinese leadership ‘gets’ the Buick brand much more than the NA team has since about 1992. They certainly have kept Buick’s product lines full and fresh over the years.
I’m not too worried.
"BahamaTodd" (bahamatodd)
03/14/2017 at 13:43, STARS: 3
The Insignia (Regal) is really starting to grow on me. Reports are pretty much confirming that the US will get the hatch and wagon - not the sedan which will be China only.
The US should be getting GM’s nice sounding 300+hp 3.6 V6 with Haldex AWD, that has already been confirmed for the Holden Commodore.
European weight estimates are between 3200-3600 lbs.
Sporty midsize liftback or wagon, German designed and built (with corresponding attention to detail and build quality), American platform and powertrain (with hopefully good reliability)... Very attractive combination.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 13:44, STARS: 1
Well the Avista concept was, and I read that Buick had planned to use it for the Grand National/GNX. But, I don’t thing anything right now.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 1
I’m not worried for the Brand as a whole. I just find it interesting the big shift GM is undertaking. Asia is not just becoming a huge market for them, but is set to lead the brand into the future. Meanwhile, there are talented designers in America for Buick, and I wonder what their role will be.
Also, I am also sad that the Verano will not appear Stateside.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 13:51, STARS: 0
I’m liking it too. I like the new design direction. I’ve liked modern Buicks but felt the design language a bit too egg-shaped until now.
"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
03/14/2017 at 13:52, STARS: 0
Yeah, I’m sure those designers will still be used to do the Buick versions of platforms developed in America.
"For Sweden" (rallybeetle)
03/14/2017 at 13:55, STARS: 1
yes
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 14:00, STARS: 0
I’m not as sure, but I hope so.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 14:01, STARS: 0
Seriously hope not.
"AMC/Renauledge" (n2skylark)
03/14/2017 at 14:33, STARS: 0
I dunno. It’s way easier logistically to have the design team in the same place that the platform is being developed. Selling Opel/Vauxhall doesn’t change anything about how NA-based vehicles are done.
"not for canada - australian in disguise" (for-canada)
03/14/2017 at 14:57, STARS: 1
I’m guessing more reliance on SAIC and GM Korea.
The successor to the MG6 might fit in nicely where the Verano went.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/14/2017 at 14:58, STARS: 1
You might be right. Also, the Freep seems to agree with you about Korea.
"Grindintosecond" (Grindintosecond)
03/15/2017 at 09:24, STARS: 1
Buy the tooling from Fisker and Lutz and make that project a new monte carlo/gnx. I think they have a middle ground to fill between caddy and chevy, which GM will have trouble doing because theyl make them not as good as bmw on purpose. Just like they made the cobalt almost a good car.
"Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
03/15/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 0
I think Buick is filling that middle ground in the American market, but they need to keep it spiced up and moving forward. I thought they had a new GNX in the works, but cancelled it. Anyway, I hope they keep moving the brand forward and. It just let it become a limo/SUV for the Chinese market.