VenSeattle

The part emphasized is true. You have to look at where (as in brand) GM is spending R&D dollars and where (what countries) GM is spending the money as well. Chevrolet, Opel, Buick and Cadillac are getting the R&D budget. The rest of the brands are benefiting from the results. It's also less expensive to perform R&D overseas, which is where almost the entire R&D appears to be happening these days.... at least for Buick, Opel, and most of Chevrolet's sub-midsize line-up. Regardless of the dollars spent at Toyota, BMW and Mercedes-Benz still stay toe-to-toe with Lexus. Both with smaller budgets. The amount spent does not determine the product's result. See Toyota's R&D billions flushed down the toilet with the Tundra. GM made a superior product on a much smaller budget. GM R&D dollars also benefits from mass. While Toyota has been busy developing more and more vehicles that are "market specific" like the Avalon, Verza, Tundra, Sequoia, FJ Cruiser, etc... GM is trying to move away from that by selling its portfolio of vehicles globally. All I'm saying is don't write off the LaCrosse because Corporate GM doesn't have money. There's no sign of cost-cutting with the LaCrosse so far and the two-mode tech R&D was already paid for elsewhere. It appears Buick is finally showing us the results from the $3 Billion earmarked for the Brand 4 years ago.

What? Size can't be your reasoning to dismiss the new LaCrosse. Your choices of untouchable sedans stretched from the 191" ES350 to the 204" MKs. It can't be power. Both the ES350 and MKs have under 300hp. Even the current LaCrosse has 303hp. Lucerne Super has 292hp. Lucerne vs MKs MSRP price? -- Lucerne Super starts at $38,980 -- Lucerne Super loaded is $45,100 -- Lincoln MKs FWD starts at $37,665 -- Lincoln MKs FWD Loaded is $45,670 (including Technology package, Navigation Package, with the Ultimate Package) The AWD MKs just adds $1,900 in price. I don't see a disparity between Buick and Lincoln pricing. I personally don't think the new LaCrosse will match the MKs in price or size. But it could come close. A couple of things are pretty sure: - It will be more expensive than the current LaCrosse - It'll be larger than the ES350 and MKz - Everything indicates the new LaCrosse will eventually offer AWD and a two-mode hybrid version - The new LaCrosse's interior is already a step above the Lucerne Super As for your obligatory "rental queen" comment, I believe Buick has already taken care of that. Your chance of finding a rental LaCrosse is about as great as finding a rental Accord. Next to never. I don't see any reason why the new LaCrosse cannot compete with Lincoln or Lexus. Warranty, features, reliability, style, and quality (based on the Enclave and SUPER editions) appear to be present and accounted for at Buick. An Insignia-based Regal slotting beneath the LaCrosse would be perfect to help position the LaCrosse against the ES & MKs.

If your opinion is strictly based on platform sharing, then why can't a NG-Malibu-based Buick LaCrosse compete against a Ford Taurus-based Lincoln MKs and a Toyota Camry-based Lexus ES350? And BTW... the current Malibu LTZ already competes well with the Camry XLE. It doesn't have all the available options, but interior quality and design are fine. The NG LaCrosse appears to exceed both of those by far. I’m sure available options will also.

Very good show. Much better than the grainy pics that everyone whined over. Regarding exterior details, it definitely appears there will be at least two powertrains. Some have dual exhaust and some don’t. I do like how the dual exhaust is integrated into the rear bumper. Looks good in red. The interior looks very nice. Glad to see adjustable rear seat headrests. If they're looking for the LaCrosse to compete with the MKS then the LaCrosse is bigger than we expect. I can see why the Regal would be appropriate to slot underneath the LaCrosse. The Regal will probably be the size of the MKZ.

If the Insignia does indeed come to the US as Buick Regal, it'll have Nissan wishing to be more like Buick.

Interesting news to say the least. The "Regal" on display in NA would definitely explain why the Aura has been delayed pending a restyle. I'm skeptical about the Riviera news. I want to believe it... We'll see.

Looks much better than in the photos before. It has my vote...

More news --------------------> Hewlett-Packard to cut nearly 25,000 jobs in EDS reorganization 04:50 PM CDT on Monday, September 15, 2008 By VICTOR GODINEZ / The Dallas Morning News [email protected] Hewlett-Packard Co. said today that it plans to cut about 24,600 jobs as part of its purchase and reorganization of Electronic Data Systems Corp. Most of the cuts will come from EDS's 140,000 employees worldwide, while the remaining cuts will come at H-P. About half of the total job losses will be in the United States. The cuts are part of H-P’s plan to integrate the Plano-based information technology outsourcing firm. The $13.9 billion deal, which was completed last month, was widely expected to result in layoffs.

Ugh... did you or did you not think before quoting that? The 3.6l V6 is still standard on the LTZ trim, which is the weight quoted. Why do you think there's a 200lb difference between the LT & LTZ trim levels? Geez!! Straight from Chevrolet's website: The 4-cyl LTZ is a special order trim package only, and is optional. It's called the SPRING EDITION LTZ: The 4-cyl Malibu is lighter than the MKZ. The 6-cyl Malibu is heavier than the 6-cyl MKZ. Who cares. This is the next gen Malibu's platform, not the current generation Malibu, so how can it be a dressed-up Malibu that doesn't exist yet? This platform will come in two different versions too - SWB & LWB. Both are suppose to support AWD. This isn't the same platform as the current Malibu or current Aura. See the new Opel Insignia for references. The LaCrosse CX & CXL received the Regal GS' tuned-suspension as standard when it debuted. Even without driving it (and I have - both the Regal GS & the LaCrosse) I know that the car doesn't float or perform anywhere close to how you insult it. It has a softer suspension than a BMW, but nothing really extraordinarily different from the rest of the mid-size sedan crowd.

I've driven the Azera. It's a perfectly fine upscale sedan with unremarkable performance and absolutely no personality. Even the Sales rep questioned if I'd actually be impressed with the car (which I wasn't.) I'm planning to go back and test drive a Genesis soon. The next-gen Azera is suppose to be really impressive though.

Are you correct about anything? 2008 FWD Lincoln MKZ - Length = 190.5" Weight = 3,469 lbs 2008 AWD Lincoln MKZ - Length = 190.5" Weight = 3,672 lbs 2008 FWD Chevrolet Malibu 4-Cyl LS Length = 191.8" Weight = 3,415 lbs 2008 FWD Chevrolet Malibu 4-Cyl LT Length = 191.8" Weight = 3,436 lbs And how in the hell do you know anything about the LaCrosse's handling and performance on a new platform? You're just making things up, again.

Ford wishes... I expect the new LaCrosse could be better than the MKZ....

I did too. They had a series of documentaries over the weekend that appeared to lead up to this (headliner was "What on Earth is Wrong with Gravity".) I always enjoy watching them when I get the chance and actually look forward to hearing about the discoveries made from the tests with the LHC.

hehe.... Citroën Type A

It has been stated time & time again, if you look at Buick, Pontiac, & GMC as a whole they are a complete/full line-up franchise. So why not just brand them as single complete line-up under a single brand? I know I know... not a popular opinion, but still... If GM were to consolidate the three brands into a single marketable brand, Buick is the only brand that's been able to sell all three types of vehicles: premium sedans, sports/sporty vehicles (convertibles/ coupes/ muscle cars), and utility vehicles (minivans, CUVs, & SUVs.) Buick's sporty coupes, roadsters, and convertibles could adopt "red illuminated interiors" with brushed metal trim and radical interior colors while shedding the traditional waterfall grille for something more sleek, integrated, and body colored… Buick's sedans could continue to be premium/luxury sedans including performance variants that share characteristics with the coupes, convertibles, roadsters (same trim elements as the two-doors: red illuminated interiors, brushed metal trim, body colored grilles, etc...). These trims could be carried under one of Buick’s performance designations – such as GSX, Grand National, or T-Type. Buick's SUVs, CUVs, minivans etc could all carry Denali as their highest trim level, while continuing to be a more premium alternative to Chevrolet (like the Traverse is compared to Enclave.) Marketing would be for just one brand. GM would be able to ask more for a coupe, convertible, or sedan under the Buick brand. Not to mention, more types of vehicles could be jointly developed between the US & China with only Buick in mind without worrying over things that are currently plaguing the Delta II vehicle (will GM market the Chinese developed Delta II Buick as a US Buick or US Pontiac - It's ludicrous that selling a Delta II Chinese Buick as a Pontiac is even being considered.) rant over...

Uhmmm.... Yeah.... huh.... Yeah. It just doesn't look like the same vehicle... at all.

Nope. The 2009 Lucerne SUPER still has the 292hp 4.6l V8. The LaCrosse SUPER has the 5.3l V8.

:useless:

I posted some Chrysler articles just for you and CMG for encouragement...

Chrysler Design Done with the 'Edge' Going Organic Posted Sep 2nd 2008 9:32AM AutoBlog Link to Article Link to Hi-Res Gallery of ecoVoyager concept Trevor Creed resigned from the position of Chrysler's head of design, and as of today is succeeded by Ralph Gilles, the man who designed the 300C. Since every change at the top comes with a "new sheriff in town" speech -- or at least one-liner -- this is what Gilles had to say: "It's definitely time for a new aesthetic at Chrysler. ... We're done with the 'edge' look." Gilles says he wants the Pentastar's cars to look more "organic." This being art, however, that could really mean anything. For concrete examples and practical considerations he mentioned the Dodge Zeo and Chrysler Ecovoyager, and said that he wants to design "sexy" cars that will appeal around the world. Intriguing statements from the gent known for a car that epitomizes the American muscle sedan, but we are all in favor, and we say "aye." The only question is how soon will they start the redesign, and what will organic look like?

It's Electrifying! Chrysler to Show Dealers Three EVs with Production in Mind Posted Sep 3rd 2008 12:31PM AutoBlog Link to Article Link to Gallery While everyone is aware of what GM, Honda and Toyota have been up to when it comes to fuel-saving technology, Chrysler has been playing it close to the chest. The Auburn Hills-based automaker, however, will show its dealers three new all-electric cars at the end of this month that are said to be production capable. Jim Press, the Chrysler exec who came from rival and current hybrid-leader Toyota, added that Chrysler's future platforms were being designed with electrification in mind and that is still has access to technology from its previous owner, Daimler. Like General Motors, Chrysler seems convinced that its EVs need to have plug-in capability. The goal, says Press, is 300 miles of range. To make that a reality, a very good set of batteries will be necessary – likely lithium-ions – and Press assures us that his company is working with multiple suppliers. Will any of the production-ready models be anything like the concepts shown off last year in Detroit? We'll see...

Chrysler plans for the future Posted Sep 4th 2008 cnet.com Link to Article At the Western Automotive Journalists' dinner this week, Jim Press, President of Chrysler, told me exactly what I wanted to hear. When I asked how he plans on differentiating the Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep brands, he put it this way: Jeep will remain an iconic off-roader, with no soft-roaders spoiling the brand; Dodge will be the performance brand, but will also be a volume play; and Chrysler focuses on luxury, competing with brands like Acura. Maybe this type of brand differentiation just fits conventional wisdom, but it seems like a smart plan to me. Yet, in speaking more generally about the cars he wants the Chrysler corporation to produce, Press said that they should appeal to enthusiasts, and that he wasn't interested in making an appliance. Companies such as BMW have done a good job with that strategy, but Toyota has risen to the top based on its decidedly non-visceral Camry. This point was particularly interesting based on the fact that Press headed Toyota Motors North America before coming over to Chrysler. The dinner was a great opportunity to hear from a top player in the automotive industry, and more importantly, to get an idea of what's going to happen at Chrysler. Press spent a while talking about how American automakers have been yearning for the past, and developing their strategies based on how things used to be. The paradigm of Detroit became the more cars you sell, the more money you lose. "For every four Crossfires we sold," Press said, "we had to lay off one employee." At Chrysler, he is working on cutting production, something that has become surprisingly difficult to do amongst American automakers, as production cuts entail renegotiating supplier and union contracts. But Chrysler currently has greater flexibility, as it is a private corporation, so is not beholden to quarterly reports. As for Chrysler's product plans, Press said the company will launch seven new vehicles in 2010, a year that he sees as a recovery period for the industry. Chrysler is developing a new fuel-efficient engine dubbed Phoenix, and Press enticingly said that the company is much closer to producing an electric car than most people realize. Most importantly, he said that Chrysler is working towards the electrification of the automobile. It seems most major automakers recognize that electric cars are the future, and each are developing strategies to lead this market.

Waaah! Good Grief... Don't take it so personally... Several people on C&G hate Buick and want the brand to die... and this is a GM site too!!! I have my reasons, which are valid... and they have nothing to do with you or C&G. I felt this way about Chrysler before ever coming here.

I completely agree with the article and miss this particular perspective almost all Texans seem to be born with and understand.

Well, maybe if Chrysler LLC were to increase their vehicle fleet sales to the same percentage as the Impala they would sell more cars... oh wait...