Poll Of The Week: Should GM Bring The Opel Astra GTC To North America As A Buick?

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• It should be in NA as Chevy Cruze (does't belong in a Buick lineup).

• Lex why do you think that ?

  • Because Buick should be a soft luxury car, and not a 16 year old's pimp mobile.

    • Lol. Well - put!

• Bring the Astra here, but not as a Buick. Make it a Cruze, leave it as the Opel Astra, re-open Pontiac, anything, but not a Buick. Why? Buick is still an "old folks" car brand in the eyes of the target audience of this car. Maybe there will be a time when that perception changes? Cars like the Regal GS will help, but it's going to take time.

  • You need good cars in the lineup to make that transition. Yes, it takes time but it also takes cars. This is a good car to help facilitate the change. Bring it over as the "Buick Catalyst".

    • Actually you might be right about the timing? If they announce this vehicle now, you might be able to actually buy one 18-24 months from now? Maybe?

• I would like to see it here. A small luxury hatch would be a nice addition to the line-up for me. I would like to move up in quality but not really in footprint and this would be a good combination. I drove the GS and really enjoyed the dynamics I think it could be a fun drive!

• It should come as a Opel sold at the Buick store.

• This is why Pontiac should be still alive.

  When is GM going to end Buick's identity crisis, Is it going for sport or soft?

  • No kiddin'! I think they're throwing anything and everything at it right now to see if it sticks, reaping any and all of the profits/revenue, and calling it a day. Maybe when they finish putting it all in the bank they'll begin to consider the long-term value of the brand, because right now -- especially with the sub-25K Verano and Astra -- it's a hodge-podge.

• I think GM should bring the GTC as a Buick, because there is a possibility that it could compete against the Volvo C30 sports hatchback

  • Absolutely right: the C30 is the only competitor I see. Maybe the Mini Cooper as well? But do those really need competing with?

    • Yes. If there isn't a GM vehicle that competes, that's market share we're missing. How about an AWD hot hatch?

      • True. That said, the C30 only sells 300-400 units nationwide right now. If anything, I'd rather see a full-size luxury sedan that sells for $50,000+ and makes a good profit on each unit while selling more than the C30. Or maybe the Astra will leave the C30 in the dust so far as sales go... we'll see :)

        • They might as well compare to Volkswagen Golf GTI

    • Another possibilty is the Fiat 500, and the Chrysler Ypsilon.....

      • I think 500 is on spark's territory.

        • Are you sure? What about the Abarth esseesse (SS)?

• Didnt Saturn bring the Astra over here a few years ago ?

  • Yep, as a five and three door hatchback. In the second Transformers movie, the main characters are escaping one of the Decepticons in an Astra five door, the vehicle that gets sliced in half.

  • I actually drove one today. It's not great.

  • I almost bought one, actually. 2010 Astra XR 3 door.

• I have an idea create a new brand called Opel USA... "The German car you always wished you could drive." Ha anyway, just bring it over man good grief, who cares what its sold as...

  • Alex likes this :)

    • I agree :)

• Actually if done right, meaning not verbatim the Opel this could be a nice vehicle for Buick, Here is my thing, invest in some sheet metal modifications have a suicide door behind the driver for access to back seat. Make car unique and even more sexy...