Buick News: Spying: Buick Belts Out An Anthem*

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

June 13, 2013

Buick has a small crossover in the form of the Encore and large crossover with the Enclave. However someone who is looking for something in the middle with a Buick badge will be sorely disappointed. That looks to be changing as new spy shots show a new midsize Buick crossover.

Supposedly called the Anthem, this new Buick crossover will be the sister vehicle to the next-generation Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain. The trio will use utlize GM's Delta platform.

We can't tell much from the shots aside the Buick waterfall grille and the driver giving the ole one finger salute.

We'll be keeping an eye on this new Buick crossover.

Source: Automotive.com

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[Drew Dowdell]

By the looks of it, another Vueick.

[G. David Felt]

Weird as I do not think of the Enclave as a large CUV. This to me is a medium size CUV. The Encore is what I think of when I hear Compact CUV, so I would think Anthem would be the small size to a medium size Enclave.

[Drew Dowdell]

The Enclave is "large" because it is fairly close to the Tahoe in actual interior space.... it's also one of the largest in the class.

[G. David Felt]

The Enclave is "large" because it is fairly close to the Tahoe in actual interior space.... it's also one of the largest in the class.

That is interesting and makes me wish reviews would post more comparison numbers on interior sizing as I would not have guessed that it is Near Tahoe or Yukon interior space.

[ZL-1]

We can't tell much from the shots aside the Buick waterfall grille and the driver giving the ole one finger salute.

Finger salute? Nooooo...... Buick is just a'aimin' for nr 1

New Delta platform, which IIRC is in effect the merging of Delta with Theta... Hopefully the weight savings lessons learned from the Alpha program can be applied to other, non-premium, architectures.

[hyperv6]

The Enclave is very large inside as it has so much usable room.

Buick has to take a different tact with this one as they will also have a Terrain in the same showroom. I think they can do it as so few people realize the Captiva is the same thing under the skin as the Nox.

[ZL-1]

@ hyperv6: you seem to be well informed on all things GM, so I got a question: do you know if this will be a Buick exclusive or if it be the next-gen Opel Antara (the same way the Regal is the Insignia with a Buick badge/grille)?

[pow]

The Enclave is "large" because it is fairly close to the Tahoe in actual interior space.... it's also one of the largest in the class.

That is interesting and makes me wish reviews would post more comparison numbers on interior sizing as I would not have guessed that it is Near Tahoe or Yukon interior space.

Enclave has more cargo space than Tahoe with either the seats up or down. The Lambdas' third row, while not as comfy as a proper minivan's, actually fits adult humans--unlike the Tahoe's.

[Drew Dowdell]

Doane is suggesting that this car is China Only

[ZL-1]

Doane is suggesting that this car is China Only

Hmmm... Kind of odd assumption in the sense that there's a huge size gap between the 2 Buick crossovers currently on sale, and I really don't see Buick-inclined people getting into GMC's squareness-based design...

[Robert Hall]

It would make sense to have a compact or midsize CUV for Buick in the US, odd that they have a subcompact and a full size with nothing in between currently.

[hyperv6]

@ hyperv6: you seem to be well informed on all things GM, so I got a question: do you know if this will be a Buick exclusive or if it be the next-gen Opel Antara (the same way the Regal is the Insignia with a Buick badge/grille)?

Not sure as GM has not really given us a clue yet. Most vehicles are global but this could easily be just a China Buick and Opel only since we have a GMC in the dealer here. But on the other hand they could make the GMC much different than the Buick and cheaper to slot it between the new SRX and Terrain. Keep in mind with the next SRX moving up in price there is going to be a gap for a Lexus fighter as the GMC will not be it.

I a sure this will appear in China first but it could still end up here later. With Buick China is the priority anymore and I think even with Opel many of the models will be bases on Cars with China in mind first. That is where the money is,

With GM doing things globally it is getting harder to read the clues.

As hot as the CUV market is here anymore and GM's ability to adapt platforms to different divisions anymore I would not be shock to see it here at some point. I may be wrong but my gut says it will be here.

Edited June 14, 2013 by hyperv6

[hyperv6]

The Enclave is "large" because it is fairly close to the Tahoe in actual interior space.... it's also one of the largest in the class.

That is interesting and makes me wish reviews would post more comparison numbers on interior sizing as I would not have guessed that it is Near Tahoe or Yukon interior space.

Enclave has more cargo space than Tahoe with either the seats up or down. The Lambdas' third row, while not as comfy as a proper minivan's, actually fits adult humans--unlike the Tahoe's.

We have gotten Enclaves from a local dealer and Yukon's for towing Soap Box Derby cars to the top of the hill with the kids and the Enclave just has more usable room for people. It is easier and faster to load. It is the more people friendly model of the two If you haul more than 4 people. The kids love the two sun roofs.

The GMC/Buick dealer is great as they often give us $70K Yukon's and$65K enclaves with many Denali's just to haul the cars with at the track. These are all new models. It gives me a good chance to check them out. The Chevy dealer just gives us used trucks.

[ZL-1]

Not sure as GM has not really given us a clue yet. Most vehicles are global but this could easily be just a China Buick and Opel only since we have a GMC in the dealer here. But on the other hand they could make the GMC much different than the Buick and cheaper to slot it between the new SRX and Terrain. Keep in mind with the next SRX moving up in price there is going to be a gap for a Lexus fighter as the GMC will not be it.

I a sure this will appear in China first but it could still end up here later. With Buick China is the priority anymore and I think even with Opel many of the models will be bases on Cars with China in mind first. That is where the money is,

With GM doing things globally it is getting harder to read the clues.

As hot as the CUV market is here anymore and GM's ability to adapt platforms to different divisions anymore I would not be shock to see it here at some point. I may be wrong but my gut says it will be here.

I wouldn't be surprised that this ends up being a global model in the sense the Astra/Verano is, especially since the GMC design language is so much different from Buick's.

The SRX moving up in price is the thing that is on my mind as there's no news of Alpha-based crossovers, and that's where the SRX should sit IMHO: closer to the CTS in size and with a roughly ATS-sized "BRX"... GM might be missing an opportunity to fully take advantage of the scale economies it might squeeze out of Alpha...

Edited June 15, 2013 by ZL-1

[hyperv6]

Not sure as GM has not really given us a clue yet. Most vehicles are global but this could easily be just a China Buick and Opel only since we have a GMC in the dealer here. But on the other hand they could make the GMC much different than the Buick and cheaper to slot it between the new SRX and Terrain. Keep in mind with the next SRX moving up in price there is going to be a gap for a Lexus fighter as the GMC will not be it.

I a sure this will appear in China first but it could still end up here later. With Buick China is the priority anymore and I think even with Opel many of the models will be bases on Cars with China in mind first. That is where the money is,

With GM doing things globally it is getting harder to read the clues.

As hot as the CUV market is here anymore and GM's ability to adapt platforms to different divisions anymore I would not be shock to see it here at some point. I may be wrong but my gut says it will be here.

I wouldn't be surprised that this ends up being a global model in the sense the Astra/Verano is, especially since the GMC design language is so much different from Buick's.

The SRX moving up in price is the thing that is on my mind as there's no news of Alpha-based crossovers, and that's where the SRX should sit IMHO: closer to the CTS in size and with a roughly ATS-sized "BRX"... GM might be missing an opportunity to fully take advantage of the scale economies it might squeeze out of Alpha...

I agree that Cadillac and the SRX will move up but I am not sure it going to an Alpha would be the right move. I would love one on the Alpha but the past SRX failed as many others like the FWD AWD version better.

Even if they do not make a SRX Alpha I would never count out one showing up in a GM line up some where. I thought it would make a nice SUV for GMC as well as a Ute version similar to the Denali show car GMC had.

The whole key to the SRX is the size and slot it fills is popular with the market. It is easier on gas but still will haul things that most sedans will not. Lexus found the size and Cadillac learned and profited buy it with the present SRX.

When we shopped the Terrain and SRX we liked the SRX but it did not really offer things that were much different than the Terrain that was worth that much more price wise. I really would love to see them step up the interior and options to where they offer things you just can' get anywhere else at GM like the Turbo 6 and magnetic ride suspension. The increase cost would give them room to add things to the vehicle they just don't have now.

The Buick would slot right in where Lexus is now and give room to GMC and let it still be the more truck like looking of the two. The Nox will still carry a large following as it is.

What amazes me is how popular this segment has become. GM is selling more of the Terrain and Nox each and every year since 2010. As most models decline this one has only gotten stronger even outdated. I just hope they capture the magic with the new one.

The only issue with the D2 package that could hurt the SRX is that it may not be V6 able. This could be a clue that there is something else coming like you suggest. May or may not be on the Alpha but who knows.

I do expect a lot more from Alpha and it will not be just coupes and sedans. GM has played a lot in the past with a Jeep like fighter on the Kappa and I know they do not throw those ideas away easy. GMC could do well with a Jeep fighter like Hummer was looking at and the Alpha would be a place to look to build one.

[ZL-1]

I agree that Cadillac and the SRX will move up but I am not sure it going to an Alpha would be the right move. I would love one on the Alpha but the past SRX failed as many others like the FWD AWD version better.

Well, I have a take on the previous SRX's failure: GM pushed the USD 50K AWD versions at launch in detriment of the V6, while essentially offering the same interior as a USD 30K CTS... That's why it failed, IMHO...

[hyperv6]

That was part of it but RWD turned off many women buyers that normally make up 3/4 of this segment too. Many of them have a unfounded fear of the unknown since so many have never driven a RWD car. Yes it had AWD too but that was even more expensive.

Length is another issue Women like the shorter wheel based vehicles. Good example was the Acadia as my wife loved it till she got in it to back up. Now she is not afraid of large blind spots learning how to drive her dads windowless Dodge Van but she just likes the ease of swinging around a parking lot with less behind you to worry about. Besides she never carries more than 4 people at once anyways.

To me the old SRX was a little ahead of its time too in styling. It was the first Arts and Science design and it was a little edgy for many. Guys liked it but women not as much. I think they could do it today and see getter results with the new styling.

I would like the Lamda to be replaced with a Alpha or Omega based vehicle.

Edited June 15, 2013 by hyperv6

[smk4565]

Lambda's are big, over 200 inches long which is gives it more length than a Tahoe and similar length to a Honda Odyssey or Chrysler minivan. They just don't have the width or height as a Tahoe, but like vans they are pretty long. I can see a lot of people not wanting something that big and GM wanting more in the midsize space, or compact suvs like the Encore.

However this smells of a Trailblazer-Envoy-Rainier repeat, and GM is going back to it's product overlapping ways.

[PONTIAC06]

However this smells of a Trailblazer-Envoy-Rainier repeat, and GM is going back to it's product overlapping ways.

I've heard this comment a lot with several of GM's new vehicles...the major difference is while the GMTs had 6 (Chevy, GMC, Buick, Oldsmobile, Isuzu, SAAB) models, there were hardly any visual differences minus grilles and bumpers, and even the interiors were hardly any different...the only truly unique interior was in the 9-7x.

These are all styled significantly different and aimed at different consumers. Also, I'd argue the crossover segment is much larger now than the midsize BOF SUV category was in the mid 2000's. I think if this is sold here it will find success...

[thedriver]

oh good, another overpriced small Buick that we cannot sell. It isn't anough that my lot has had the same Veranos and Encores for weeks, not to mention the Regals. We sell every Enclave we get in, as well as Terrain, but our "traditional" Buick buyer base just doesn't care for the lesser vehicles. Maybe things are different in other parts of the country, but not deep in the farming Midwest like we are.

[hyperv6]

I am amazed there are any traditional Buick based owners still driving. At that age most are off the road.

The whole future of Buick is to attract new buyers to the brand as well as younger buyers. To this point little has been done at Buick as they were third on the to do list at GM. We are just now entering the future of the division as in the past The Chinese would buy anything Buick and here in the Stated there was no room for them to grow till the new Cadillac's were out.

You will see many changes coming in the next few years but do not expect them to cater to the small traditional Le Sabre buyer as that is no longer where the market is or is growing. I almost expect the Buick line to go for the young Female professional buyer. They buy over half the cars and they have money.

[PONTIAC06]

I live in Indiana and I see Veranos everywhere. I've also seen a handful of Encores on the road lately, but I don't think they've had enough time to really penetrate the market yet, so I bet that there will be more on the road shortly. And while the Regals may not be as popular as the smaller Verano, I still see them quite often. Maybe my area is not Midwest enough, or maybe all the farming communities around Indy and further south just like the new Buicks more.

Also with regards to marketing to young female professionals, they just need to do a much better job than Mercury did because they already have product that is WAY better than anything Mercury had in its last decade.

[hyperv6]

It was the second year before the Cruze took off.

Women like Sedans, Convertibles and CUV models. I think Buick would be a good fit for the young Female professional. Lets face it the Opel convertible we are getting is not really a car targeting Alpha Males. LOL!

Buick needs to target the women who buy the higher end VW products.

[Drew Dowdell]

oh good, another overpriced small Buick that we cannot sell. It isn't anough that my lot has had the same Veranos and Encores for weeks, not to mention the Regals. We sell every Enclave we get in, as well as Terrain, but our "traditional" Buick buyer base just doesn't care for the lesser vehicles. Maybe things are different in other parts of the country, but not deep in the farming Midwest like we are.

Must be a regional thing. 3 of the Buick dealers near me only have one Encore each... been shopping around

[Drew Dowdell]

It was the second year before the Cruze took off.

Women like Sedans, Convertibles and CUV models. I think Buick would be a good fit for the young Female professional. Lets face it the Opel convertible we are getting is not really a car targeting Alpha Males. LOL!

Buick needs to target the women who buy the higher end VW products.

Buick is unpretentious luxury yet still a good value. That is the image they are going for.... and in a way it is a return to their image in the 1950s... cars for people who have "made it" professionally, but aren't out to show off with a Cadillac or Benz

[G. David Felt]

Buick has clearly picked up notice as I see more folks in the Hi Tech crowd driving buicks here in Seattle. Mostly it is the CUV crowd and it appears to be woman who love the Encore.

I can understand the Farm belt as they are much slower to change, but I suspect this will end up happening as people retire and the young come into their own. Sadly the conservative farm life is a dying career with large corporation farms.

[thedriver]

I am amazed there are any traditional Buick based owners still driving. At that age most are off the road.

You would not believe how many 65-80 year olds the are around here who still drive. The new Buick is not what they are used to, they don't like all the technology. They like the old Buick, and still have a lot of money to spend-now mostly going to Toyota and their Avalon. As much as we on this board like the newer stuff from all of GM, there is a demographic that is being forgotten. There should still be a traditional column shift, bench seat, V8 Buick for this crowd. Kind of like how the Cadillac XTS is keeping the Deville buyers somewhat satisfied, where is a new Lesabre? I can't even count how many times my customers have had to put money into keeping a car with well over 100K miles because they can't find what they want anymore.

[hyperv6]

It was the second year before the Cruze took off.

Women like Sedans, Convertibles and CUV models. I think Buick would be a good fit for the young Female professional. Lets face it the Opel convertible we are getting is not really a car targeting Alpha Males. LOL!

Buick needs to target the women who buy the higher end VW products.

Buick is unpretentious luxury yet still a good value. That is the image they are going for.... and in a way it is a return to their image in the 1950s... cars for people who have "made it" professionally, but aren't out to show off with a Cadillac or Benz

Generally I find most people who drive and own Buicks were people who can't afford a Cadillac but do not want to be stuck in a Chevy.

Or like my Great Uncle who was a GM engineer for year. He bought a Cadillac every year for many years till 1959 and he hated the large fin so much he went Buick from then on. I always got a chuckle from that as years later he would still rant about the fins. He was a very conservative guy and those fins were just too much for him.

I still have all the paperwork from all his cars from the 1927 Chevy on up that he kept over the years. I is fun to look at the car and option prices he paid. I still have the owners manual and vanity mirror from his 57 Cadillac.

[hyperv6]

I am amazed there are any traditional Buick based owners still driving. At that age most are off the road.

You would not believe how many 65-80 year olds the are around here who still drive. The new Buick is not what they are used to, they don't like all the technology. They like the old Buick, and still have a lot of money to spend-now mostly going to Toyota and their Avalon. As much as we on this board like the newer stuff from all of GM, there is a demographic that is being forgotten. There should still be a traditional column shift, bench seat, V8 Buick for this crowd. Kind of like how the Cadillac XTS is keeping the Deville buyers somewhat satisfied, where is a new Lesabre? I can't even count how many times my customers have had to put money into keeping a car with well over 100K miles because they can't find what they want anymore.

And those 65 and over will buy only one more car and many will not be driving in 10 years if they are even lucky to be alive.

Buick needs to concentrate on the younger professionals that are not able to afford the more expensive Cadillac's but still want a comfortable and classy car. high end VW, low end Audi Lexus and Acura have catered to this crowd for years and will continue as they will grow older with them unless they have the means to move up.

The Lacrosse and Impala take care of the Lesabre crowd as that is what my Parents were. As for the age and driving thing I understand it well as my parents and many of their friends were Lesabre buyers. Most it was their last new car and most no longer drive and many have passed like my 80 year old father.

The bench seat is gone and GM was the last still trying to make it work. While there was some demand it was so few it did not warrant keeping it.

Too many keep reaching back trying to think things are like the 50's and 60's but the entire auto market has shifted and changed. People who grew up in small Honda's and Toyotas have different wants and expectations. The customers GM had in the 50's are nearly lost anymore and most do not buy cars any longer. GM needs to appeal to the younger buyers and middle age buyers if they expect to get and retain customers for more than one last send off before they see God.

This is working at Cadillac as they have a more respected line up than they have had in years. They may have alienated my Mother In law but that is ok as there are so few of her floaty boat ride lovers left.

The few people Buick will lose with the moves they need will come back two fold with repeat customers.

Just keep on doing what they were doing is a path to an end. China gave Buick a second chance and they better damn well not screw it up again.

[G. David Felt]

I am amazed there are any traditional Buick based owners still driving. At that age most are off the road.

You would not believe how many 65-80 year olds the are around here who still drive. The new Buick is not what they are used to, they don't like all the technology. They like the old Buick, and still have a lot of money to spend-now mostly going to Toyota and their Avalon. As much as we on this board like the newer stuff from all of GM, there is a demographic that is being forgotten. There should still be a traditional column shift, bench seat, V8 Buick for this crowd. Kind of like how the Cadillac XTS is keeping the Deville buyers somewhat satisfied, where is a new Lesabre? I can't even count how many times my customers have had to put money into keeping a car with well over 100K miles because they can't find what they want anymore.

I understand what you are saying about these people and their money, sadly they are also the fastest to go into various memory issue medical problem needs. So far reports are showing the late 50's to early 70's crowd getting dementia and Altimers . Yet those older and younger are not which tends to show you cannot stop learning or your mind dies.

I am amazed there are any traditional Buick based owners still driving. At that age most are off the road.

You would not believe how many 65-80 year olds the are around here who still drive. The new Buick is not what they are used to, they don't like all the technology. They like the old Buick, and still have a lot of money to spend-now mostly going to Toyota and their Avalon. As much as we on this board like the newer stuff from all of GM, there is a demographic that is being forgotten. There should still be a traditional column shift, bench seat, V8 Buick for this crowd. Kind of like how the Cadillac XTS is keeping the Deville buyers somewhat satisfied, where is a new Lesabre? I can't even count how many times my customers have had to put money into keeping a car with well over 100K miles because they can't find what they want anymore.

And those 65 and over will buy only one more car and many will not be driving in 10 years if they are even lucky to be alive.

Buick needs to concentrate on the younger professionals that are not able to afford the more expensive Cadillac's but still want a comfortable and classy car. high end VW, low end Audi Lexus and Acura have catered to this crowd for years and will continue as they will grow older with them unless they have the means to move up.

The Lacrosse and Impala take care of the Lesabre crowd as that is what my Parents were. As for the age and driving thing I understand it well as my parents and many of their friends were Lesabre buyers. Most it was their last new car and most no longer drive and many have passed like my 80 year old father.

The bench seat is gone and GM was the last still trying to make it work. While there was some demand it was so few it did not warrant keeping it.

Too many keep reaching back trying to think things are like the 50's and 60's but the entire auto market has shifted and changed. People who grew up in small Honda's and Toyotas have different wants and expectations. The customers GM had in the 50's are nearly lost anymore and most do not buy cars any longer. GM needs to appeal to the younger buyers and middle age buyers if they expect to get and retain customers for more than one last send off before they see God.

This is working at Cadillac as they have a more respected line up than they have had in years. They may have alienated my Mother In law but that is ok as there are so few of her floaty boat ride lovers left.

The few people Buick will lose with the moves they need will come back two fold with repeat customers.

Just keep on doing what they were doing is a path to an end. China gave Buick a second chance and they better damn well not screw it up again.

Totally agree with you on this.

[thedriver]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

[Robert Hall]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

A large portion of the Baby Boomer generation long ago moved to Toyota, Honda, VW, etc...so GM has to determine if it should try and woo them back or focus on younger generations..

[Drew Dowdell]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

Baby boomers wouldn't be caught dead in a Buick. They head straight to the Lexus dealer once the lease on their Camry LE is up.

[G. David Felt]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

Having parents that are Baby Boomers and listening to many baby boomers they socialize with, the recent Great Depression we are just starting to pull out of has had a very large hit to this class retirement funds. Most of these 60-80 year olds have decided to hold onto their Honda, Toyota, Nissans, VW etc. than spend money on a new car. I hear it all the time how the last 5-6 years has destroyed 50-60% of their retirement portfolio and at this point they have decided to stay with their cars or newest car as they down size to 1 auto. The few that have told me they will be buying a new auto have made it clear, they plan to go from 2 or 3 auto's to one and conserve capital and do trips and other things.

GM is doing the right thing by focusing on the rising wealth of the high tech market, the growing jobs market. This is not the time to spend money on trying to convince a baby boomer who left and has gone through 2 or 3 auto's by the competition to come back when they are at the end of their auto buying cycle.

This is the right thing to do, focus on the 20-40 year old crowd.

[Robert Hall]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

Having parents that are Baby Boomers and listening to many baby boomers they socialize with, the recent Great Depression we are just starting to pull out of has had a very large hit to this class retirement funds. Most of these 60-80 year olds have decided to hold onto their Honda, Toyota, Nissans, VW etc. than spend money on a new car.

80 is a different crowd--the 'Silent Generation' (1925-1945)... like my Mom...Baby Boomers are ages 49-67. (1946-1964). The Silent Generation were still really into American cars in a big way.

As far as the Baby Boomers in my family, my brother has been consistently Ford (Ford, Mercury) and GM (Chevy, Pontiac) most of his life (w/ one Mopar product), while my sister has been all over the map...Datsun and Nissan, Acura, Mercedes, Saab w/ a couple Fords and a Cadillac.

Edited June 18, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Drew Dowdell]

I've been in enough Buick product presentations to know that Buick is specifically targeting young professionals (20-somethings who got their first "real" job out of college) and working Middle-agers who are now DINKs and are looking to downsize out of the Mini-van or full-size SUV. They are not going for the 80 y/os, they are not going for teenagers, they are not angling for Camry LE "Value" buyers. They are aiming for buyers who want a "luxury-like" car without the price, something just a little more special than the Toyota or Chevy they've been driving the past 7 years.

[Robert Hall]

I've been in enough Buick product presentations to know that Buick is specifically targeting young professionals (20-somethings who got their first "real" job out of college) and working Middle-agers who are now DINKs and are looking to downsize out of the Mini-van or full-size SUV. They are not going for the 80 y/os, they are not going for teenagers, they are not angling for Camry LE "Value" buyers. They are aiming for buyers who want a "luxury-like" car without the price, something just a little more special than the Toyota or Chevy they've been driving the past 7 years.

I know it's out of character for me (since it's FWD and 4cyl), but I think I could live w/ a Regal..really liking the design.

[hyperv6]

Wow. What callous disregard for a growing demographic. Hey Baby Boomers, too bad you are old and getting sick, but we don't want your money. Never mind that someone who is 65-70 can still buy 2-3 cars, and can afford to replace them. We want to court a younger generation that really isn't into cars, let alone doesn't have money or credit to buy them with. So, go ahead and keep giving those dollars to Toyota, Hyundai, and anyone else who will take the time to make what you want to buy.

Having parents that are Baby Boomers and listening to many baby boomers they socialize with, the recent Great Depression we are just starting to pull out of has had a very large hit to this class retirement funds. Most of these 60-80 year olds have decided to hold onto their Honda, Toyota, Nissans, VW etc. than spend money on a new car.

80 is a different crowd--the 'Silent Generation' (1925-1945)... like my Mom...Baby Boomers are ages 49-67. (1946-1964). The Silent Generation were still really into American cars in a big way.

As far as the Baby Boomers in my family, my brother has been consistently Ford (Ford, Mercury) and GM (Chevy, Pontiac) most of his life (w/ one Mopar product), while my sister has been all over the map...Datsun and Nissan, Acura, Mercedes, Saab w/ a couple Fords and a Cadillac.

The Silent Gen is the last group of true car loving people. They were in love with the car as it opened the door for them to travel it let them move out of town and drive to their jobs. It changed their lives and made thing much better for them in so many ways.

Boomers still like cars but they are more open to what they can afford and not against going overseas for a car for image or performance.

Gen X is all about tech and love their I phones more than their cars. They grew up in Honda and Toyota FWD cars and were taught that the auto was killing the world and creating global warming. They are either indifferent to the auto or think the car is evil.

The silent gen is at the point they are in their last car or will only buy one more on average. This segment is getting smaller and smaller.

The boomers are entrenched in the Asian car thing and prevcieved quality. Many think they are smarter than they really are but if they are happy with what they have it is going to be difficult to change their minds.

Gen X are more open as they did not oven or live with the cars from the 70's and 80's in America. None owned a Pinto, Gremlin or Vega. They have no perceived ideas on many American cars and could be lured away. Besides many times kids never buy or want what mom and dad had so they are more open to a American car than the parents. But you need to give them what they want.

The old saying also applies that you can sell not sell a young man a old mans car but you can generally sell a old man a young mans car. Or in this case you can interchange woman here now.

My father always liked my sporty cars and could be persuaded to buy one but there was no way in hell I would have ever owned his Lasabre. Sure it was a fine car but it was what my dad preferred not me.

In the future here with the economy still struggling, the cost of new cars, the hit retirements have taken inflation and the added cost of health care and tax increases spending is going to be more limited with the older people. this is why I think GM has reached out in the Verano and Encore. They can not only sell these to older people who still want comfort in a car but one they can afford. Also the prices are low enough and the engines are such to make them still appeal to younger professional that are working their way up. It is their stepping stone to the ATS or at least we hope.

[ehaase]

In the future here with the economy still struggling, the cost of new cars, the hit retirements have taken inflation and the added cost of health care and tax increases spending is going to be more limited with the older people. this is why I think GM has reached out in the Verano and Encore. They can not only sell these to older people who still want comfort in a car but one they can afford. Also the prices are low enough and the engines are such to make them still appeal to younger professional that are working their way up. It is their stepping stone to the ATS or at least we hope.

I would think the Verano would really appeal to LeSabre, Lucerne, Century owners wanting a smaller car. The Verano is the most appealing Buick sedan to me, although I wish the fuel economy were about 10 percent better. At least for me, I can see no reason to choose a Regal over a Verano, and the Lacrosse has a ridiculously small trunk.

[hyperv6]

In the future here with the economy still struggling, the cost of new cars, the hit retirements have taken inflation and the added cost of health care and tax increases spending is going to be more limited with the older people. this is why I think GM has reached out in the Verano and Encore. They can not only sell these to older people who still want comfort in a car but one they can afford. Also the prices are low enough and the engines are such to make them still appeal to younger professional that are working their way up. It is their stepping stone to the ATS or at least we hope.

I would think the Verano would really appeal to LeSabre, Lucerne, Century owners wanting a smaller car. The Verano is the most appealing Buick sedan to me, although I wish the fuel economy were about 10 percent better. At least for me, I can see no reason to choose a Regal over a Verano, and the Lacrosse has a ridiculously small trunk.

It has a appeal to those in this class on fixed incomes. In the past to buy a smaller car left them in a Cavalier or Cimarron. Neither were what you would term a world class luxury environment. The Verano offers a level not seen in this class before and compared to cars with this class it has much better MPG than most.

The Verano is where it needs to be but the Regal and Lacrosse need to grow in size and status. With the new ATS and CTS they now have space to grow with new models. I would still like a 3 door Astra hatch in sport trim under the Verano for the younger buyers. Buick needs a car that connects with the youth at a price they can at least consider.

Buick needs to make cars that stand out because they are striking and cars that you not only want but make you feel it inside when you see them. We need to stop arguing over should they or should they not make a new GN or if they should have port holes and concentrate what would it take to bring people who don't care about Buick now to want to be Buick owners in the future. These people are not loyal to any brand and can be taken if you give them what they want. They could give a rats a$$ about the past Buicks and only care about what is in the show room today. They can and will leave Lexus and Acura if given a damn good reason and to this point the new Buicks are better but they are still not good enough. I will give GM a pass now as I know they have yet to do much for Buick yet but the next string of new cars had better be right if they want to grow.

Buicks future is not going to be built on the future of past loyal owners it has to be built on the backs of the owners of the other brands. Conquest sales will determine Buicks future and that is the reality of it. My father was a Buick guy in his later years but where he is at they don't need cars. My mother grew up with Buick and while she is still with us she has down sized to a Chevy and at this point no longer drives. Now if Buick can make a car that has the luxury of a Buick and the performance of what Pontiac used to have years ago I could be a Buick man real easy. I expect that many others would be too. This is where Lexus and Acura and even the low end Audi high end VW has done well.

[regfootball]

Lambda's are big, over 200 inches long which is gives it more length than a Tahoe and similar length to a Honda Odyssey or Chrysler minivan. They just don't have the width or height as a Tahoe, but like vans they are pretty long. I can see a lot of people not wanting something that big and GM wanting more in the midsize space, or compact suvs like the Encore.

However this smells of a Trailblazer-Envoy-Rainier repeat, and GM is going back to it's product overlapping ways.

Explorer really is the perfect size for a 3 row, aside from those that need hard core 3 row. The Lambadas are great as AWD minivans but you gotta like the size. The Explorer sort of walks the line nicely. More of a 2 row SUV with a backpack third row.

Explorer's big flaw is second row legroom. Lambdas second row is tight also, seat is low and footspace is compromised but the Lambdas own the third row.

Edited June 19, 2013 by regfootball

[Paolino]

I'm very mixed about this. I'm tired of the whole sharing of things. I understand doing it for one or two brands, but I feel like it gets abused at times which concerns me when we look at past history. Another problem is that Buick is getting this after the Equinox/Terrain have been out for a while... it's almost as though they're near the need for a change and Buick just got slightly dated material. I could be wrong, GM has been surprising me with healthy updates. Also, the name... Anthem? Not feeling it. The good new is, this is bound to be more attractive than the Encore... I have only seen a few of them on the road and I just can't get into them. They all have that "pregnant roller skate" look to them.

The idea of an SUV/CUV that size to fit between the Encore and Enclave, good. Let's just hope it's done right. Powertrains need to be new. I don't want to see the 2.4L with eAssist as the base engine.

[ehaase]

it's almost as though they're near the need for a change and Buick just got slightly dated material.

Won't the Anthem use the new Delta based platform the new Equinox and Terrain will use?

[Drew Dowdell]

From the looks of the SpyShots, this is an updated Captiva....

[ZL-1]

it's almost as though they're near the need for a change and Buick just got slightly dated material.

Won't the Anthem use the new Delta based platform the new Equinox and Terrain will use?

I believe it will. Delta and Theta are supposed to merge into a single architecture, while I guess Epsilon and Lambda will merge as well.

Also, if Opel/Vauxhall/Holden get this car wearing Opel/Vauxhall/Holden grilles, then the project as a whole makes perfect sense: Chevrolet and GMC achieve volume and optimal production point through their strength in the US; Buick/Opel/Vauxhall/Holden achieve their volume and optimal production by offering a single model that will not overlap with one another given the brands' mostly regional focus.

And to be honest I don't believe for a second that whoever likes GMC's boxy styling, especially the way it's been interpreted in the current Terrain, will take a first look (never mind taking a second look) at a Buick...

[hyperv6]

As a GMC owner now I like it but if Buick can put together a compelling package I would even take a third look.

I think you will find in this segment it is the styling and not so much the shape that is what most look at. Most Nox and Terrain owners have their favorite but most would not have an issue with either if they could not get their first choice.

[ZL-1]

But doesn't that go against the "GMC owners will not consider anything else" mantra repeated so often in these forums?

[G. David Felt]

I love the Terrain special look and how it is anything but a Jelly Bean Chevy. I hope GMC keeps it different as that is what draws me to it. I will also admit when I saw and posted the pictures last year from the Seattle Auto Show of the Encore, I was also smitten with that as it was executed really well. If they do it right, people will cross shop with no problem.

[GMTruckGuy74]

But doesn't that go against the "GMC owners will not consider anything else" mantra repeated so often in these forums?

That really applies to the full-size pickups. Many GMC owners will not consider a Chevy, and vice-versa. Of course, as more non-brand loyal owners come on board, it's the styling that wins this crowd over.

Many a time I've been at my Buick-GMC dealership and overheard customers comment, "Oh, I don't like the [insert shape here] look of the Equinox over the [insert shape here] look of the Terrain." Just two weeks ago while waiting for service I observed a woman and her dad shopping the Enclave; her dad took her over to the Acadia [sLE] and she said she'd look at one if it comes in a "luxury version", otherwise it's the Enclave for her.

I'm sure a new mid-size Buick CUV would pull some sales from GMC (Terrain), but also from Chevy (Equinox) and Cadillac (SRX) too. This market is fickle when it comes to something new.