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