While we eagerly await the day the 2012 Buick Verano is available for mass consumption, there is one small part about the Delta II-based compact that seems to stir up all kinds of heated debate.
We’re, of course, referring to the Verano’s front license plate cutout — which is made to accommodate the wider and narrower international license plates, meaning that North American plates will look out of place and (dare we say) ugly on Buick’s smallest vehicle. As you know, the issue stems from the fact that the Verano is a European-market Opel Astra with a few tweaks and updates here and there.
Is there a chance that General Motors and/or Buick will modify the cutout for something more appropriate for North America? Watch GM Authority’s Alex Luft discuss the issue at the 2011 New York Auto Show — and share your opinion in the comments below.
Comments
err, I think ANY number plate – the larger the better ( 2 metre by 2 metre minimum) would be an improvement.
This is one U G L Y vee hical
Buick is playing in a sweet spot. They are very well equipped with premium styling but not charging Lexus/BMW prices. Buyers that can spend more on a vehicle can move up from basic Toyota/Chevrolet. Very profitable for Buick.
But Even i agree with the point of cost. I feel the amenities available for the cost is really appreciable. Verano is as good as any other base level luxury model.
Ermm… I don’t think we can say that just yet — since no one has driven it (outside of GM employees — although you may be one 🙂
But even then, I don’t think you could put this car in the same class as a Lexus IS or even the Acura TSX, for that matter. Not only that, but the segment for “tweener” vehicles — those in between mainstream (Chevy) and luxury (BMW) is disappearing — where the only players remaining include Acura, Volvo, and Saab; neither of these is a sales or a mindshare leader… so why go after a dying market?
After doing some research over the past few months, I’ve come away with the following conclusion: the license plate approach on the Verano is wrong, plain and simple.
Look at other European cars. The Volvo S40 is a prime example. It accommodates both European (wide) and NA (tall) plates without a single change in body style… but it does this without any cutouts whatsoever. Google some images of the 2006 S40, for example, and you’ll see that the design accommodates for both types of plates without having specific “cutouts.”
The Verano, it seems, just has inferior design in this department. And that’s a shame given Buick’s newly-found “luxury” positioning, where buyers tend to be more discerning and critical.
how can this quirk be due to it being Astra-based? the bodywork is completely different…..only the interior visually shares a small few similarities