Community Question: What Do You Want To See From Buick?
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When it comes to Buick, ideas of the brand’s direction seem to be all over the map. Should it stick to tradition and be a soft-spoken luxury brand? Should it be the “premium” niche brand between Chevrolet and Cadillac? Or can it perhaps operate in the same level of luxury as Cadillac, albeit with a totally different product portfolio?
While direction is one thing, nothing can be achieved without the proper products. So, we’re asking the ever-growing GM Authority community: what do you want to see from Buick?
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Where is the Buick Electra with the Volt powertrain?
I completely agree with Tim Rosser, Buick needs to stick with high-er performance RWD sedans. A mid-size could be a Buick version of the Code 130R. I don’t think they need to do super performing vehicles, like a CTS-V, but more of like what they have right now, not super fast, but fun to drive, lightweight, and unique powertrains, like the GNX. Also, Buick needs a really special car. A modern day Riviera. Something big, bad, and beautiful.
None of you who are suggesting that Buick should be making performance vehicles are saying WHY they should do this. I suspect that the posters on this site are driving enthusiasts who want these types of vehicles, but I doubt that you are representative of the broader market, at least not the types who have been Buick customers in the past, people who Buick needs to retain. My guess is that this group longs for Pontiac and just wants to see Buick take its place. Buick will probably focus on cars that suit China first, and bring them to the U.S. if they perceive a market. I personally think there will be fewer enthusiasts in the future because money is going to get tighter. Growth will be in cars that are designed to be practical. Just my 2 cents.
Pretty much.
The same people that demand RWD for the sake of RWD seem to forget that the majority of people don’t care about the drivetrain. FWD hasn’t stopping cars from selling in the past, and FWD cars far outsell RWD cars in all but performance segments.
Buick doesn’t need a ‘V-series’ or to reserect it’s short lived “Super” line. It doesn’t need to harp on the sport image that it’s buyers aren’t even interested in the first place.
And the last thing Buick need is to bring back uncompeditive relics from 80’s and 90’s, garbage like the Road Master, Riviera, and Park Avenue. Sure, the people on THIS site might remember those cars, but average joe public doesn’t care about cars your grandfather drove, or what you personally feel Buick should embody.
They want the best now, not rehashed cars from 20 years ago.
No Grawdaddy, most people on here are not DEMANDING RWD. The concensus is Buick needs at least 1 RWD car. Sure Caddy is GM’s version of BMW, but not everyone can afford a BMW. A high HP, RWD car would entice these people to possibly try Buick. And regarding not bringing back historical names and monikers, well, obviously they brought back the GS moniker to some popularity. Sure, there’s nothing WRONG with FWD, but in typical GM marketing, they promise people one thing, and at the last minute, give us a watered down product. The Regal GS could have at the very least, had an AWD option. So, in summary, Buick needs at the very least 1 RWD car with some serious HP. In the end, it doesn’t matter what the “new” average joe buyer thinks. They’re living off the old man stereotypes anyway. It’s up to Buick to offer something exciting. And this is coming from the owner of a 2012 Regal “Gran Sport.”
Most Buick buyers want luxury, quiet, quality cars….around town and whatever trips when needed….I don’t think a sports car or RWD or super high-tech gadgets are the concern or interest…..a Buick is a very nice car; a step above
On the contrary. If you frequent as many automotive forums as I do, most people would like to see a RWD sports sedan.
Tim, again, you are getting your sample from internet postings. The point is that car forums are likely to be slanted towards an interest in performance variants. It’s an overly biased sample of people. Talk to random people and you’re more likely to find that they are just trying to match the transport of people and cargo with their budget — the budget driving how much they’ll spend on quality and luxury. When I talk to people about cars where I work the #1 topic that they raise is gas mileage, not 0-60. Some drive small cars and some massive trucks, but they’re all buying fuel, and these people are even getting a discount on it.
Ok sure Buick equals Quality and Luxury! If they are selling the Opel Insignia here as a Buick Regal how can I get a Opel Insignia OPC If it will not fit into Buicks lineup? Or is it not worth it to them to offer such a vehicle here in the states. Thanks
I think I am going with a new approach to GM’s lineup. I am only going to complain about the lack of a model or body style if I am willing to purchase it myself. Save myself a lot of headaches lol :-)
It’s worth it Dan, and it would sell. The OPC should have been the top of the line Regal model. The reasoning behind it being a watered down version…..”This is not the image we want Buick to project.” Really? What kind of idiots do GM take us for? They already projected the image by giving us the GS with the OPC’s facelift. We can only hope that the current GS is kind of a “test” GM is doing to see if a sporty Buick is actually wanted. I can’t tell you how many Regal Turbo owners have the Trifecta tune that numbs their HP numbers up to the GS’. There is no reason for a company like Buick to step outside their normal zone and offer up a nice sports package. As stated in the beginning, if the OPC is not the image Buick wants to portray, then they lied, because the OPC’s looks is what they gave us.
Personally, I’d love to see a NEW Zeta-based Buick Riviera. A nice coupe and (and new convertible) from Buick would be a nice ad. Possibly make a Buick Riviera Turbo as well to make a 2-door counterpart to the Regal.
Kris, yes a coupe!!!!!! Maybe a Verno size or even a little convertible would be so fun
And this is where GM could have taken their wonderful Pontiac Solstice package and made it a new Buick Reatta.
Jim/fix armrests
Even on this site there is a biase toward sports related vehicles, I agree most people discussing cars are talking about the practicality of the vehicles they drive on a daily basis. I am one who is interested in both practicality of vehicles as well as sports cars. At the end of the day most of us face specific economical restrictions when purchasing a vehicle.
I want a new full-size Buick! Like a Roadmaster. I currently own a ’93 Roadmaster Limited Sedan, it’s absulutely brilliant. Perfect for road trips, I took it 900 miles and never got uncomfortable once. I want pillow seats back like my Roadmaster has, All new cars feel like the seats are made of stone, and cement slabs. The biggest reason why I don’t buy new cars. If I buy a new car it better be alot better than my Roadmaster, which I haven’t seen one yet. I’d also like a bit more support for older cars. I don’t see cars as disposable objects, if somthing breaks you don’t just throw it away…(seems that you do here in America…) If I had a Volvo, or a Benz, I would be able to go to the dealership, with my 20 year old car, and get any pice it needs. But I can’t get so much as a fastener unless it’s still being used on some new car they are making…absolute rubbish. I think that a New Roadmaster would make a good flagship car for Buick.