Buick Said to Weigh Expansion as Other GM Brands Fall

[buyacargetacheck]

Another anonymous "people familiar with the plans said" story. So take it for what it is. If true, GM is pathetically uncured of its own stupidity. They've learned nothing about brand management and don't see that proliferating the same basic vehicle across more than 2 makes hurts all the brands. So now, we'll have a Chevy Equinox, Cadillac SRX, GMC Terrain and now Buick "Vue." Two of these vehicles would be sold at the same dealers! If 4 brands is so great maybe 10 would be better. What's the point? The answer can't be "extra sales" because 2-brand Toyota is kicking 8-brand GM's tail. The Toyota/Honda/Nissan 2-brand brand model has won. Why is GM so obtuse?

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...8k&refer=us

Edited April 19, 2009 by buyacargetacheck

[Drew Dowdell]

The Toyota/Honda/Nissan 2-brand brand model has won.

1. Who said the game is over?

2. Toyota has 3 brands in the U.S.

3. The Terrain and the Buick "Vue" would be substantially different vehicles.

4. Have you looked at Toyota's sales lately? They are tanking just as hard as the domestics... they just had a cash horde to help them through.

[Intrepidation]

See this is what bugs the crap out of me about GM. They think they need the same damn model for every brand with some different skin and interior bits.

I mean, the GMC one is fine...besides being ugly. They don't need the Acadia either. The Traverse the every man and the Enclave is for premium. Of course GM also wants to make a Lambda for Cadillac too.

[CaddyXLR-V]

1. Who said the game is over?

2. Toyota has 3 brands in the U.S.

3. The Terrain and the Buick "Vue" would be substantially different vehicles.

4. Have you looked at Toyota's sales lately? They are tanking just as hard as the domestics... they just had a cash horde to help them through.

And Chrysler has only 3 brands, but they are losing sales too. So maybe it's not the number of brands determining the outcome, but some other factor?

[ZL-1]

If GMC goes down the toilet, the Buick Antara would make perfect sense and its base versions and the Equinox's top of the line versions could overlap in price a little. With GMC in the picture the only way it makes sense is if it is priced high enough to give the Terrain some breathing room.

[CaddyXLR-V]

It's kind of ironic that Chrysler has the number of brands the govt and everything thinks GM should have, yet Chrysler is seen as being to small to be on it's own. How big do they think GM will be once it is Chevy and Cadillac only? Then GM will be too small, and will need a "strategic partnership" to become a viable company.

In Feb, Chevy, Cadillac, and Buick sold 88,000 vehicles, while Dodge Chrysler and Jeep sold 84,000 vehicles.

Edited April 19, 2009 by CaddyXLR-V

[Oracle of Delphi]

Buick needs to get its act together, or there may only be Chevy and Caddy when the dust settles ... June 1st is fast approaching ...

[Intrepidation]

GM Management needs to get its act together, or there may only be Chevy and Caddy when the dust settles ... June 1st is fast approaching ...

Fixed.

[wildcat]

Buick needs to get its act together, or there may only be Chevy and Caddy when the dust settles ... June 1st is fast approaching ...

I don't know what you mean. What do you feel is Buick doing wrong at the moment? They're about to release the new LaCrosse and seem to have some plans to expand the line-up. How, exactly, do they need to get their act together?

[Oracle of Delphi]

I don't know what you mean. What do you feel is Buick doing wrong at the moment? They're about to release the new LaCrosse and seem to have some plans to expand the line-up. How, exactly, do they need to get their act together?

Those in charge of the Buick brand, need to have their ducks in a row by June 1st, they can't lose sight of that goal ...

[wildcat]

Those in charge of the Buick brand, need to have their ducks in a row by June 1st, they can't lose sight of that goal ...

Is there something which has happened which makes you feel that they may not have things together? And if there is something amiss, doesn't that responsibility fall either to Susan Docherty or, ultimately, Fritz Henderson?

[cire]

GM needs to decide if GMC or Buick is going to offer CUVs in the B-P-G sales channel. Having both brands offer CUVs is a bit redundant. GM looks more than a little ridiculous having the Acadia and the Enclave at the same sales channel.

I do think a rebadged Vue could be slotted in GMC's lineup below the Terrain (YIKES! I still think it's sort of hideous; I think a Buick version would have looked much better) if GM only offered the rebadged Vue with the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo. The Vue is shorter than the Terrain and sits on a shorter wheelbase.

I think if GM would have played their cards right Buick would have 3 CUVs (a rebadged Antara, a LWB Theta product, and the Enclave) while GMC would have the Avalanche (which would be a GMC exclusive) and maybe a Zeta based rival to the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This would have given GMC 2 products that would not be available at any other GM sales channel.

I do hope GM realizes what a potential asset it has in B-P-G and comes up with a product strategy for it that can show the government what an important role the sales channel can play in the corporation's future. A future GM without B-P-G would be very bland indeed. GM really does need to give each brand in this sales channel a distinct purpose and mission and also give them appropriate product portfolios to reinforce those assigned purposes.

[Camino LS6]

GM needs to decide if GMC or Buick is going to offer CUVs in the B-P-G sales channel. Having both brands offer CUVs is a bit redundant. GM looks more than a little ridiculous having the Acadia and the Enclave at the same sales channel.

I do think a rebadged Vue could be slotted in GMC's lineup below the Terrain (YIKES! I still think it's sort of hideous; I think a Buick version would have looked much better) if GM only offered the rebadged Vue with the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo. The Vue is shorter than the Terrain and sits on a shorter wheelbase.

I think if GM would have played their cards right Buick would have 3 CUVs (a rebadged Antara, a LWB Theta product, and the Enclave) while GMC would have the Avalanche (which would be a GMC exclusive) and maybe a Zeta based rival to the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This would have given GMC 2 products that would not be available at any other GM sales channel.

I do hope GM realizes what a potential asset it has in B-P-G and comes up with a product strategy for it that can show the government what an important role the sales channel can play in the corporation's future. A future GM without B-P-G would be very bland indeed. GM really does need to give each brand in this sales channel a distinct purpose and mission and also give them appropriate product portfolios to reinforce those assigned purposes.

I like the way you think.

[Croc]

I don't have a problem with both GMC and Buick having vehicles on the same platforms; it's all about positioning. If GMC were truly elevated to Professional Grade, offering true off-road performance and durability (similar to Jeep), in a premium Truck/SUV segment, then I don't see it competing with Buick versions that would be sportier and more comfortable/luxurious for families with disposable income.

[Oracle of Delphi]

GM needs to decide if GMC or Buick is going to offer CUVs in the B-P-G sales channel. Having both brands offer CUVs is a bit redundant. GM looks more than a little ridiculous having the Acadia and the Enclave at the same sales channel.

I do think a rebadged Vue could be slotted in GMC's lineup below the Terrain (YIKES! I still think it's sort of hideous; I think a Buick version would have looked much better) if GM only offered the rebadged Vue with the 2.4L DI 4-cylinder/6-speed auto combo. The Vue is shorter than the Terrain and sits on a shorter wheelbase.

I think if GM would have played their cards right Buick would have 3 CUVs (a rebadged Antara, a LWB Theta product, and the Enclave) while GMC would have the Avalanche (which would be a GMC exclusive) and maybe a Zeta based rival to the 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee. This would have given GMC 2 products that would not be available at any other GM sales channel.

I do hope GM realizes what a potential asset it has in B-P-G and comes up with a product strategy for it that can show the government what an important role the sales channel can play in the corporation's future. A future GM without B-P-G would be very bland indeed. GM really does need to give each brand in this sales channel a distinct purpose and mission and also give them appropriate product portfolios to reinforce those assigned purposes.

The problem with all that is, GM can't afford to do it, Buick will be the only brand to survive out of that sales channel if any ...

I actually think the government is pushing for just Chevy and Cadillac after June 1st.

[SAmadei]

I don't know what you mean. What do you feel is Buick doing wrong at the moment? They're about to release the new LaCrosse and seem to have some plans to expand the line-up. How, exactly, do they need to get their act together?

IMHO, Buick 2009 is the lamest lineup I have seen any car manufacturer ever show off.

I _like_ Buick... I have a Buick... but in 2009, Saturn has a more compelling lineup. Buick China 2009 has a more compelling lineup.

[cire]

The problem with all that is, GM can't afford to do it, Buick will be the only brand to survive out of that sales channel if any ...

I actually think the government is pushing for just Chevy and Cadillac after June 1st.

A GM without B-P-G is a bland GM indeed! I still think Buick has a greater chance of selling premium FWD vehicles than Cadillac will ever have. It will be a shame if GM loses B-P-G!