titan

It's unfourtunate that after all these years, we continue to discuss (and to a degree, debate) Buick's brand identity. It's recent claim to aspire to be the "American Lexus" is an indication at how far it's fallen. Especially since, Lexus came in and has stood for what Buick defined for years; quality, class, quiet, aspirational, and a luxury value (Merceds for Lexus, Caddy for Buick). It's almost like Buick lost its way and Lexus swaggered on in. Glimpses of a great turnaround are seen in concepts like the Velite and Enclave. I just hope the Enclave is everything it should be and more. If so, you'll see me in one (Cocoa leather interior included).

I agree 100%. The Enclave oozes class; you want to look at it because it's subtle and sexy. The Escalade oozes class too, but screams look at me. There's certainly room for Buick to be a more professional (while not be any less luxurious) alternative to Caddy (or Lexus for that matter). As the article says, it's time for Buick to be the "doctor's car" again. A brand for the professional who has money but doesn't long to be admired sitting in alot of chrome.

I agree. BPG my ass... Buick needs (and deserves) much better treatment. And not just because of Buick's excellent past; it has true potential for the future. The Enclave and Velite are great examples of that. It needs three sedans, IMO, and atleast the Enclave. I think that if the sedans were done correctly (relying heavily on Zeta), Buick would be a success, and would then be happy to also give Buick a small (NG Theta) crossover and a coupe.

Agreed.

I think that's what the Outlook is for. I've seen diehards gush over the Outlook (as compared to the Pilot) on some of the Honda forums. I think the Enclave will go after the lux market (MDX, RX).

I disagree 100%. From the looks of that rear shot, that's exactly what people want. The size is there, and styling's a matter of taste. I think it has a clean, uncluttered look. Honda and Toyota dominates with their "hunky chunky" minivans, and it's wise of Chrysler to continue in this vein. The dismal results of GM's current, very lame, minivan/with a snout things are proof that it hasn't gotten the message yet. Sad really, because GM can make a first in class anything when it puts it's mind to it. I think the Lambda vans have alot of potential (perfect size, based off of the looks of the SUVs). If they build an attractive, conventional minivan, they'll be back in the game.

Agreed. I think that the author's just a little off with that one. The G35 Coupe, CTS Coupe, CLK, IS Coupe, and 3-Series Coupe will all be in the same class, all based off their brands' respective entry level lux/sport sedans. And As you said, the A5 name leads one to believe it's between the A4 and A6. An Audi 6-Series competitior would then naturally be called, A7. And as you said, because of their generous sedan size, the G35 Coupe and CTS Coupe will have a distince comfort advantage over the competition, assuming the price is right. Infiniti's priced it's current coupe correctly, and I'm not expecting much of an increase with the NG.

I'd be a shame if it was a GMC, as opposed to Buick, IMO. If GM could pull off (and it know it can!) pull off the heavy differentiation found in the Lambdas, I think there would definitely be room for Chevy, Saturn, Buick, Saab, and Caddy. I say that because it's such a hot market, and none of the aforementioned brands share a showroom. If they didn't share sheetmetal, and had unique interiors, it'd be a good thing. Hopefully, the NG Theta will be able to accept an array of powertrains. As for sub-Theta, I haven't heard anything about it in a while. If it was produced, I'd give it to Chevy, Saturn, and Pontiac.

That's how I felt.

By JENS MEINERS AutoWeek | Published 05/09/06, 8:20 am Cadillac plans to re-enter the coupe segment with a powerfully styled CTS-based two-door, possibly by 2008 as a 2009 model. Cadillac had hoped to keep a lid on the project, which was pushed back because of General Motors’ financial situation. The program has not been officially approved, but work is well under way—and “Bob Lutz really wants it,” sources familiar with the project tell AutoWeek. “The biggest problem for this car is GM has other, more urgent business to take care of right now.” Insiders describe the coupe as a “bold and elegant” design statement. “This car is a new and powerful interpretation of the two-door coupe theme,” one source says. The coupe wears now-familiar Cadillac design cues—a big, V-shaped grille, a high, wedge-shaped beltline and vertical taillights on a short trunk. Cadillac’s coupe will be based on the upcoming, second-generation CTS sedan, which was partially unveiled April 2 by GM vice chairman Lutz on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes. On the program Lutz pulled back a car cover revealing a dramatic Cadillac grille and headlight cluster, along with a taillight, but stopped short of showing the rest of the car. Now that our spies have snapped these photographs of the actual next-generation CTS in testing, it is obvious the car Lutz showed on 60 Minutes was the 2008 CTS. The Cadillac coupe will share its platform, front end and fender styling with the CTS, along with some other sheetmetal, to help Cadillac keep down the cost of the coupe. The coupe could come to market following the 2007 launch of the next-generation CTS sedan. The same V6 engines offered in the CTS will power the coupe, but a V-Series coupe with a 400-hp-plus Northstar V8 under the hood is likely as well. Cadillac also is mulling over a convertible version. “It would add cost, but convertibles are where the volume is generated in this segment,” says a source. The shrinking coupe market could be a worry for Cadillac. Main contenders include the Mercedes-Benz CLK, BMW 3 Series coupe, Infiniti G35 coupe and the upcoming Audi A5, a 2008 model year coupe based on the next-gen A4. Cadillac’s problem: Its new coupe will be significantly larger than the CLK, 3 Series and G35, raising questions of pricing and market positioning against larger and more luxurious coupes like the A5 and BMW 6 Series. An insider estimates volumes of 25,000 to 30,000 cars annually. “They don’t know whether that is enough,” the source says. “It is a difficult market, with high initial volumes that tend to drop sharply after 18 months or so.” While the CTS-based coupe could be developed quickly, there is speculation of a larger coupe with a V12 engine that carries design cues of the Cadillac Sixteen concept car and could be sold in the $75,000 range. “The new vehicle is definitely a Cadillac,” an insider says. “There is a lot of enthusiasm for it within the company.” GM can probably expect that enthusiasm to extend to fans of the marque who appreciate its history. Cadillac has a rich heritage of high-class coupes, including the 400-hp, 500-cid Eldorado of the early 1970s, and the Pininfarina-styled and built Allante convertible of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Cadillac’s last coupe was the Seville-based Eldorado Touring Coupe that ceased production in 2003.

agreed.

I agree. Malibu = Camcord fighter. The Aura should be premium, with more standard content, and the European flair that Opel has, to compete with VW. I also see Saab and Saturn's roles being a little closer, but as you said, Saab should be sportier; also, there's that Saab quirkiness that no other GM brand should ever have. As for Lacrosse, I with you! The EPII Lacrosse should be the ES350 of Epsilons; period. Let the Lucerne (and possibly a flagship Statesman??) ride on Zeta.

A few notes. The next Ion may be called Astra! Also, the article says it'll sticker at around $16K, making it a "premium" compact, to battle Jetta, Corolla, Civic, Sentra, etc. That lends alot of creditbility to the idea that the Corsa really could come hear as a sub-Astra model to compete with the Yaris, Fit, Versa, etc.

Great New!!

Done Deal - - Rebadged Opel Astra will come to U.S. at end of 2007 as Saturn Ion - - By HARALD HAMPRECHT AND RICK KRANZ | AUTOMOTIVE NEWS - - Source: Autoweek General Motors plans to import rebadged Opel Astra compacts to replace the Ion at the bottom of Saturn's lineup. The imports, starting at the end of next year, will sticker at about $16,000 - approximately $3,500 above that of the 2006 Saturn Ion 2 sedan, Ion's base model. Ion production is scheduled to end in December. GM declined to comment. But sources within GM and its Opel subsidiary confirmed an outline of the plan. Last year GM sold 100,891 Ions. That car follows the S series, which sold 200,000-plus units from 1993 through 1999, peaking at 286,003 in 1994. The annual sales target for the Astra model will be considerably lower, ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 units. Saturn's version of the Astra probably will be assembled in Antwerp, Belgium. The name Astra may be used on the Saturn model. Importing Astras would fit GM's strategy of repositioning Saturn as a Europeanized brand. At the New York auto show last month, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz said nearly all Saturn vehicles will be based on vehicles from Adam Opel AG, GM's German subsidiary. The current Astra went on sale in Europe in 2004. The European press has praised the car, and it was western Europe's second-best seller last year with 453,000 units, just behind the Volkswagen Golf. Jim Sanfilippo, executive vice president of the consulting firm AMCI in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., says Saturn should have no trouble selling the car if it is well equipped. "People like to buy cars from Saturn dealers," said Sanfilippo, "and that is still a franchise in General Motors' portfolio that can attract import buyers." Since 1958, GM occasionally has sold cars from Opel in the United States. In recent years it imported the Cadillac Catera and built the Opel-based Saturn L series in Wilmington, Del. Neither sold well. GM builds the Ion in Spring Hill, Tenn. It has not disclosed plans for a new vehicle to replace the Ion there.

This blantant badge engineering has got to end.

It looks like it'll be just slighty larger than the current C. A mini S again. Interesting, they seem to have put a pop up navi screen in this car, as found in the G35.

Absotluely. But for many it's hard to get past the VW badge.

Absolutlely. And the next should be awesome.

I think that's about right. If the Statesman was a go (along with full size Impala), and had the Zeta under it, Buick would have a great sedan line, along with the EPII Lacrosse.

There's nothing "small" about these cars. This is the midsize Zeta.

Agreed.

Yep!!!!