Here's A Not So Bright Opinion Into Buick's Relevance

[InvictaMan]

Ran across this article at Wikio, that came out today. Very sharp conversation, unfortunately not very endearing for Buick's future. Buick sure could use some C&G support there in the comments.

GM Death Watch 172: Buick’s Enclave

By Adrian Imonti

http://www.wikio.com/leisure/cars/buick?wfid=53130324

[FAPTurbo]

They're still writing Death Watches?... wtf?!

[Blake Noble]

I thought these sort of things had been brought almost to an end. I am very surprised to see this sort of thing to make sort of a comeback.

However, this article is not totally accurate in a few regards, proving just how much the author knows about what he is saying. :AH-HA_wink:

[Intrepidation]

Well the Ultimate BS and Import Humping site can't seem to just let go of the fact that their death watch articles turned out to be nothing more than bias, inaccurate BS with a little spin thrown in to give the anti-Detroit humpers something to read and feel good about while their Tacoma breaks in half.

[ZL-1]

172?!?!?!

[enzl]

With all due respect to the above posters, the DW series has alot of great nuggets buried in a bunch of hyperbole.

There's actually much to be learned by observing and understanding your enemy...(Sun Tzu, baby)

Plus, if anyone actually reads the paper, they should be aware that the American Axle strike is about to create 2 big problems for GM:

1. Almost complete shutdown of production due to a lack of parts, and;

2. Another Delphi-type payoff by GM to AA's Union employees.

Should be an interesting 2nd Q for everyone in the biz.

[balthazar]

Some of the comments over there are fascinating.

If this is correct:

YTD March '08~

MDX 1396

RX330/400 1119

Enclave 958

X5 785

M Class 678

XC90 302

Q7 264

Toureg 202

LR3 165

...the Enclave is outselling most of the more "obvious" choices. Someone point me to the DW pieces that likewise use sales figures to justify these sales turkey's discontinuance; like VW couldn't use the R&D & production money from killing the toureg to pour into the quality-control tea cup over there. And NO ONE is buying LRs....

Edited April 16, 2008 by balthazar

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

With all due respect to the above posters, the DW series has alot of great nuggets buried in a bunch of hyperbole.

I know right?!?! Even the title of the site is an oxymoron.

[wildcat]

That website, the so-called "Truth About Cars," must be the most anti-GM spot on the Internet. They find any excuse to write another editorial ("Death Watch"), then their regular participants all chime in with how brilliant and truthful the writing is. Unfortunately, not too long ago, GM even allowed them into a press conference. When they requested entrance, Bob Lutz supposedly remarked to the effect of, "I don't know. Do we like you?" Yet they still were allowed in. (Wrong move, GM!)

[IfICouldWouldYou?]

Enzl's right: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Anyone with half a brain can tell these people have an axe to grind, but it makes for entertaining reading. There will always be a need for an outlet for hate and anger.

See it for what it is.

[Robert Hall]

Some of the comments over there are fascinating.

If this is correct:

YTD March '08~

MDX 1396

RX330/400 1119

Enclave 958

X5 785

3rd place within the first year on the market is quite respectable, IMHO.

[InvictaMan]

3rd place within the first year on the market is quite respectable, IMHO.

I'd say they are right on target in Canada. Acura and Lexus must be shivering in their boots, eh? Does anyone have the comparitive figures for the US?

[Robert Hall]

I'd say they are right on target in Canada. Acura and Lexus must be shivering in their boots, eh? Does anyone have the comparitive figures for the US?

Ah....Canada numbers...those numbers did seem a bit small for monthly sales...but I'm only on my second cup of coffee this morning...

[Cananopie]

This guy is just a bunch of hot air.

GM is where it is right now because competition skyrocketed in the 80s and GM and the other American companies were bloated because they didn't have any serious competition before that. In the 80s and 90s and even in to the 2000s you could get a low-level job for GM and be able to pay for a house and a family. Competition doesn't allow that these days and GM had to trim the fat. This is why everything in GM - from Buick to Chevy suffered during the 90s and early half of this decade.

But let's ignore the brilliance that GM not only has turned itself around within a decade making competitive vehicles - but they are making relevant vehicles and setting the trend - with vehicles like the Enclave. To this guy - this must annoy him. He wants to see another division fade to further encourage the death of GM and the fact that the Enclave has become a trend-setter instead of a trend-follower is the exact opposite of the direction he wishes to see so hence he writes an article whining and complaining about it.

In his ignorance he completely ignores that Buick is a global brand pretending that the only place that matters anymore is America - sorry pal - it's the 21st century and 1/5th of the worlds population is just in LOVE with Buick (China). He ignores the failings of the Aztek and the success of the Rendezvous. He ignores that when Buick builds it (and builds it right) they will come, Pontiac and Chevy don't get that kind of respect. Cadillac would receive no respect if they were selling their lineup at the Buick level. Caddys can sell upwards of 50k and he thinks it should be straddling the 30k mark.