VenSeattle

Well if Cobalt doesn't win, then the media is bias. But seriously... Compared to the select list of competitors above, the Opel should finish near or at the bottom. However, it beat the Boxter!

I completely understand your perspective, but that mentality has caused many of GM's vehicles to be uncompetitive. The "trickle down" effect forces GM to roll out new technologies slower than the competition just to give a brand or two an air of "exclusiveness." Luxury brands such as Mercedes and BMW don't really have non-luxury brands being cross-shopped to cause cannibalization of sales. Cadillac & Buick introducing a technology together will not make a MB or BMW shopper look at Buick. They'll more than likely only consider Cadillac. However, that Avalon or Azera shopper may look twice at the Lucerne when they are nowhere near the target audience of a Cadillac. Toyota, Honda, & Nissan do not follow the "trickle down" rule. Avalon has a 5-sp, while Camry has a 6-sp. Push button start was introduced at Toyota and Lexus near the same time frame along with adaptive cruise control. Hybrid technology exclusively exists on Honda-brand models, while Toyota shares it across two divisions. Infiniti shares its RWD platform with Nissan. GM can't continue to allow internal squabbling and hissy fits to prevent their vehicles from being competitive. Technology that is applicable to several markets should be rolled out in those markets as soon as possible. Features that will make and keep Cadillac "exclusive" should remain with Cadillac. Safety features should never fall into that "exclusive" category.

Okay. I'm won over. The headlights were throwing me off, but now that I've seen them illuminated, I love them. Great concept!

I love the idea of the concept and the interior is amazing. I've always liked the rear and profile. Front end is growing on me.

Thank god it's a mule... the first thought I had was Saab Forester.

Nah... They should have made the Mark X concept. That would have brought much-needed prestige to Lincoln while preserving Thunderbird at Ford. The Mark X could still bring prestige to Lincoln IMO.

Probably, in exchange for Zeta. LGR certainly isn't finished and I seriously doubt Hamtramck is either. It would make sense to have three plants producing Zeta if almost all of Cadillac's line-up moves to Zeta while they continue to add new models. If Buick Cadillac, Pontiac, Chevrolet, and possibly Saturn receive models on this platform (whether the ones currently planned or different models to fit CAFE), you're looking at a fairly large portion of GM's US market relying on Zeta output. GM could make several fuel-efficient SWB Zeta vehicles.

I completely disagree... the front end is very nice. That's the direction Buick needs to continue going.

It's okay to feel that way, but you can't outright say it will be built in Oshawa. GM needs a plan for Hamtramck. GM just spent millions upgrading that site and it needs product after Lucerne & DTS go out of production. I believe Hamtramck now uses the same system as LGR so it's possible it could be used to expand Sigma production, but Zeta doesn't seem out of the question either, especially since that article indicates such.

Well, it's better than the Skylark/Grand-Am/Achieva triplets we had in the 1990s. If gas prices start to dictate product line-up, I'd prefer an upscale FWD compact as a Buick for BPG dealers to allow Pontiac pushing towards an all RWD line-up. I don't want this car sold in the US as a Buick, but perhaps the next generation. Think Buick TSX. The interior needs some more upgrading, especially the steering wheel.

2007 Buick Excelle Interior

2007 Buick Excelle Exterior:

At least the one sold in the US, yes. No, It will be built at Hamtramck:

All of the versions aren't being sold in the same market side by side. This is a good way for GM to remain competitive while building brand direction in new markets. I see nothing wrong with the Saturn Sky in the US, Opel GT in Europe, and the Daewoo G2X in South Korea. It's a good use of resources.

Yes, China gets Enclave --- The Enclave was shown at Beijing's Auto Show

Yeah... there's no way to avoid hearing about him up here... Recent newspaper article (with pics of the mentioned contestants):

Good grief... some of you guys need to quit overreacting in paranoia. This is a very good sign that Buick will be returning to its former self. How many more articles about GM consolidating Buick's US & Chinese line-ups do you need before realizing most if not all future Buicks will be sold in both markets. Regardless of what this concept reveals, it pertains to both markets.

I disagree... It's better for Buick to soldier on for a year or two and be the first to receive Epsilon II than just now get the 2008 Malibu and be the last division to receive Epsilon I. Enclave marks the first product resulting from Buick's supposed $3-Billion revival. The products following Enclave will restore Buick to its original market position. The Eps II LaCrosse can do that. The 2008 Malibu wouldn't. The 2008 Malibu will finally make Chevrolet competitive in the mainstream mid-size sedan market though.

I'd just like to point out that a fully loaded 2005 Buick Park Avenue Ultra with far fewer features topped out at $44k. This new Chinese Park Avenue is far superior and worth more than a $1k price premium. However, in order to justify a somewhat decontented $43k base Park Avenue and a $50k loaded Park Avenue, GM will need a strong mid-sedan to bridge the gap between the Epsilon II LaCrosse and Flagship Park Avenue (even if the LaCrosse is from $28k-$37k.) Buick doesn't need to make the same mistake that Acura has... huge gap between the TL & RL. Buick needs a sporty mid-size (or even large compact) sedan spanning $35k-$45k. A SWB Zeta would work perfectly(but Pontiac is getting that.) My vote is for a FWD/AWD next-gen Lucerne on a Lambda-derived platform. That would work too. It would help expand the Lambda platform's flexibility and assist in providing production options in the US. The Lambda-based Lucerne would stay V6/V8 and remain the volume premium Buick, while the Park Avenue could be imported in lower numbers as a flagship. Honestly, Buick isn't about volume, but about building GM's reputation as a premium manufacturer and Buick's market presence. The Park Avenue can help do that, but the line-up has to be appealing, not just one or two vehicles.

Very nice pics! Thank you for sharing also!

Then Chrysler is out of luck and will close because DaimlerChrysler can't even do that.

You left something important out of your quote, Dragon - This is a true form of irony.

I'm actually for Kirk. I think he's the only one that will give Chrysler Group a fighting chance. Yes, the unions may hate him... but this is about saving Chrysler the company... not the Unions or a certain percentage of jobs.

You go ahead and keep believing you know what everyone else thinks and believes. Gaud, you are so arrogant. The Lexus LS is a very nice car, that's still soulless by the words of more than one auto mag. I believe it was compared to having the emotional appeal to a "public" golf course when matched against the class leaders in one magazine (remember, the new Lexus LS finished last.) The Mercedes S600 is far more gratifying to own than this vehicle... even with one less gear and minus hybrid. Most people in this class aren't seeking public approval. It's the other way around.