Burlapp: Insignia=Chinese LaCrosse but not NA one

[wildcat]

According to Vince Burlapp's Car Page, the new Chinese Buick LaCrosse will basically be a rebadged Opel Insignia. (I tried to post a link but it wouldn't accept it, and tried to link to the photo but it didn't work.) So to read his information and see his picture, please go to burlappcars.com and look for the Wed., 6/25/08 story titled "Chinese Buick La Crosse."

Burlapp states that the photo is what China gets but not what the U.S. will get. I thought with globalization that the Chinese and NA Buick product would be exactly the same.

Is it possible that Burlapp is wrong, that the camouflaged picture hides the sweepspear line and other niceities of the Invicta Concept?

Also, if China Buick is continuing to have a LaCrosse in their line-up, does that mean that NA will retain the LaCrosse name?

Edited June 26, 2008 by wildcat

[BigPontiac]

Link to article

[wildcat]

Thank you, BigPontiac.

[ AFTERTHOUGHT ] I can't judge the length of this vehicle; is it possible it's a smaller Buick (not the LaCrosse/Invicta, but maybe the Excelle or Regal or Skylark) going through testing?

[z28luvr01]

Is it possible that Burlapp is wrong ... ?

No, it's not possible. It's a certainty.

Opel Insignia = Saturn Aura

Chinese LaCrosse/Invicta = US LaCrosse/Invicta

That's just how the story goes.

[wildcat]

Appreciate your input, z28luvr01.

But that photo Burlapp is using sure makes the car look plain-jane - and I don't think the Invicta Concept is plain-jane at all.

Edited June 26, 2008 by wildcat

[z28luvr01]

Vince as been known to be a fraud for at least the ten or so years that I've been using the Internet to find out information about new cars. I'd seriously take anything he says with a grain of salt. Don't waste any more of your brain power.

[Paolino]

I really wish we could get production specs and photos! The car is only about a half year away from production.

[gm4life]

It is amazing with what extents compaines go to dress up cars. To trick cameras and spy photographers. There was an article in C&D about it a few months back, "The guy who hides cars". It was very interesting. This dude is full of $h! tho, I am sure of it.

[Northstar]

Vince is right in this case, though not totally 100%, AFAIK. Buick China gets two EPII sedans, a SWB and a LWB. The SWB actually comes out before the LWB version (which makes sense seeing as how the Insignia comes before the Invicta). Rather than just a different grille though, the SWB Buick gets unique fascias and keeps the same midsection (doors, windows).

[thegriffon]

Seems odd, as they do sell Opels in China, but they do have three Buick sedans to replace.