Doug DeMuro is once again taking aim at GM and Buick, this time predicting that the Tri-Shield brand will “fail” in the U.S. market. DeMuro is best known as an automotive YouTube content creator and the founder of the Cars & Bids auction platform, and previously called out the Buick Encore GX as the second-worst new car on sale today. Now, DeMuro is lambasting the Buick brand as unnecessary and not very compelling.
In a new video post, DeMuro highlights seven car brands which he thinks are doomed to fail sometime in the near future. With regard to Buick specifically, the YouTuber says that it’s simply “not necessary,” explaining how GM’s U.S. brand structure leaves the Tri-Shield brand to “straddle” the line between Chevy, which serves as GM’s mainstream brand, and Cadillac, which serves as GM’s luxury brand. GMC is characterized as offering truck models for non-Chevy GM dealers.
While DeMuro acknowledges that Buick is popular in the Chinese market and should continue to be sold there, he reduces the brand’s U.S. lineup to “a couple of crossovers that are primarily made in China and not really all that compelling.” While it’s a matter of opinion whether or not the lineup is compelling, the “primarily made in China” claim seems like a bit of a stretch, given the only U.S.-spec Buick model made in China is the Envision. Meanwhile, U.S.-spec units of the Envista and Encore GX are produced in South Korea, while the Enclave is produced in Michigan.
“None of them sell and they’re all rental fleet cars,” DeMuro continues, adding that while the brand has undergone a series of overhauls over the years in the hopes of achieving a more youthful image, the desired results have yet to really pan out.
“[Buick models] are just not all that desirable, and the brand is just not all that compelling, and they’ve been trying for so many years to make them compelling and it just doesn’t happen,” DeMuro states.
Rather, the YouTuber suggests that GM roll the U.S. Buick lineup into other existing brands and discontinue the Tri-Shield brand outright here in the States.
Check out DeMuro’s full rant right here:
Do you agree with DeMuro’s appraisal? Do you disagree? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and as always, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Buick news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
I actually agree with him for once. Buick IS boring. Buick was supposedly a “premium” brand, and now it seems useless. Nothing they offer stands out. The last interesting vehicles they had were the regal gs and tour x, and even those were half assed.
All the dislikes from GM fans. But I agree: Doug’s not entirely incorrect. I think the new Envista is helping the brand. I see them a couple of times here and there. But, unlike Doug, I have hope in Buick. They need to make something similar to the wildcat concept.
its funny because i say than as a gm fan. then again you dont need to be a fanboy to figure out that buick is now an afterthought in the gm family.
Doug DeMuro? Who? The same guy who is predicting Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Fiat, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Mini are going?
I usually don’t agree with him whatsoever. But this time he’s actually accurate. These brand you mentioned are extremely bad at almost every aspect you can think of. There are no reasons for them to gain any success, especially the first three, fiat, Chrysler and Alfa Romeo(I think we can add Jaguar). The ultimate craps…..
Caveat: dead in the US market.
He’s probably not entirely wrong. Watch the video, he has some valid points.
Cadillac may also be set up for extinction.
Not impossible, but I think GM will do more to keep it alive.
Well, there’s not much of Mitsu left in the US, Alfa, Chrysler and Fiat are all on borrowed time…I wouldn’t say he’s not wrong quite yet.
Disagree Doug. My Buick Envision Avenir is pure luxury. My third Buick in the line up. They look good, drive well and haven’t had any problems. Not all Japanese and Korean built are any better until you get into the luxury lines at much higher prices. They paying you off Doug?
He’s the worst. Absolute worst car reviewer on the internet. Also, someone needs to tell all the people I see driving Envistas these days because they seem to be selling just fine.
Not everyone is a car enthusiast who wants everything to be a performance car. Some people just want cars. And he measures everything against performance cars.
I have a visceral reaction to his voice.
I’m a car enthusiast and I love Buicks. Especially the latest Avenir trims like the Enclave. They aren’t enthusiast cars but they have become stylish, attractive, and super comfortable. I wouldn’t buy one because I want to tear through a racetrack with it but they make phenomenal, comfortable, practical, and downright appealing family vehicles. You can get a homely feeling Buick or a taxicab feeling Toyota.
“homey”
…. just trying to help.
Doug DaMoron !! Not sure who’s more quirckier ? Him or most of cars he reviews !
2024 vs 2023 YTD Sales figures (from GMA)
Encore DOWN 8%
Envision DOWN 35%
Enclave DOWN 35%
Encore DOWN 95%
It’s a failing brand. Maybe if they had actually done something like the wildcat.
A few things to note about those sales drops:
Encore DOWN 8% <— I think you are referring to the GX here. Envista is responsible for that small drop.
Envision DOWN 35% <— The refreshed model was delayed this year remember?
Enclave DOWN 35% <— New model coming out. Always a drop at the end of a design cycle where they need to give away the aging model to make room for the new one.
Encore DOWN 95% <— Sans the GX. Uhh yeah. Thats what happens when you discontinue a model. The Chevy Bolt also had a drop like this when they canned it.
So again. By your logic, If Buick is a failing brand then Acura, Volvo, JLR, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, Lincoln which all sell less must be in dire straits (some like Alfa are genuinely in dire straits). Oh and Audi selling slightly more than Buick in the US (by like 3,000 cars) must also be failing here…
85Zingo: You may be correct, but here’s what you are not saying. A lot of the discussion here has been about how badly Buick is being run by GM or whoever. If Buick was being run better, they would have more of the old models while waiting for the new (redesign) to come online. This just shows GM’s lack of commitment to the brand. Same with the Bolt. If GM cared, they would have done just like they do with the coveted Silverado where they make the old one in full along side the new one until such time the new one is fully up and selling in full.
But no. They kill the Bolt and then un-kill it but won’t have the new one for over a year after the old one stopped. Same with the Buick’s. That’s the difference.
That’s not a Buick problem. That is a General Motors problem. I long said that the logic behind many of their business decisions never fail to leave me scratching my head. The point I was making is the products themselves are selling and the division is holding its own when you compare the numbers to other comparable premium brands. Whether GM is properly managing them is a different story.
I can also argue they are doing a crappy job with Cadillac in that the effort they put into the Lyriq and latest Escalade should have been put into the XT4, XT5, and XT6. Now that they finally did it with the 2nd gen XT5 they don’t want to bring this model to the states. And then they wonder why Cadillac can’t seem to hit the numbers of Lexus, Audi, and NVM BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
GREAT response to the Buick sales stats being DOWN. I agree with you on the Buick style too. Some people have never even SAT in a Buick.
Buick will fail if it remains under the control of GM’s iron fist. It’s obvious that GM doesn’t care about the brand given how much they neglect it, evident by how there are only 4 models in Buick’s lineup compared to the 19 models of Chevrolet, the 10 models of GMC, and the 12 models of Cadillac. GM has the Touch of Death. Numerous brands under their ownership have fallen to ruin or neglected and were eventually eliminated. Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saturn, Geo, Asüna, Daewoo, and Holden all failed. If Buick broke free from GM and became an independent company, it would probably thrive. What’s also harming the brand is its crossover only lineup. They need to bring back sedans, wagons, and coupes like the Roadmaster, LeSabre, Riviera, Park Avenue, and LaCrosse, and maybe bring over the GL8 Century as a premium minivan to compete against the Pacifica, Sienna, and Carnival, and eliminate the Envision, Enclave, Encore GX, and Envista. They should also go back to their roots to appealing to older buyers again as that’s where they found most of their success. Each brand has their target demographic, and really shouldn’t stray from that. Buick has essentially alienated its demographic as they’re now no longer cars desired by older people. Once upon a time, Buicks were fancy cars to be had when reaching a certain age (typically 50s on up to retirement age), now they’re snooze fests, with the GL8 Century being the only truly fancy Buick in this day and age.
In China Buick has over 15 models and 4 EVs.
US lineup is what I’m talking about, not its Chinese lineup.
demuro lol. all he states is the obvious. he waits till something is obvious and then declares it and ppl credit him because they know even less than him. absolutely sad. and this is from the guy who cannot change a tire (he has stated as much). hardly a more fake person in automotive commentary (notice i dont say journalism) exists
He really said that? Wow that is a fake car guy if I ever seen one. And here I am complaining about my XT5 not having a spare tire (has that stupid fix-a-flat kit) because I prefer changing the tire out than to waste money on a patching kit that won’t save me if I utterly blow the bejesus out of it.
Envista driver here. Strangers often stop me to compliment my car. They are later surprised when they find out it’s a Buick.
Anecdotally, the redesigned roster is working. Don’t count Buick out just yet.
The Buick brand alone in the US sells more cars than Acura, Volvo, JLR, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, Lincoln, and only slightly less than Audi. Its really not doing that bad. It was never meant to have the sales numbers of Chevrolet. I think the brand is kept around for more reasons than just to keep it “American” for the Chinese market.
I will agree with almost everything Antares above says, but I don’t believe Buick could survive on it’s own. They need GM, but then NEED GM to step it up and give them something. Here’s what I would add (or alter) from what Antares said.
1. Buick MUST have cars. I don’t care if they keep all 4 CUV/SUV’s now. In fact, I feel it would be better to keep all 4 of them and add cars to it giving them a total of around 10 models.
2. Easy fix. Take the Malibu and turn it into a proper Buick Regal for now. Give it a proper Buick exterior and interior. Make is even more quiet. Bam!! Added benefit? It gives the Malibu assembly line more work.
3. Give Buick another sedan off the CT5 Cadillac, but slightly bigger. Park Avenue all the way baby.
4. They must bring the Velite (same as the old Chevy Volt) here with the combo of PHEV/EV.
5. Finally, with two ICE sedans and one PHEV-EV, Buick then needs two BEV’s. One smaller hatch or shooting brake like wagon and one large 2 door and 4 door EV’s.
That would add 6 cars to the 4 CUV’s then already have now, giving them 11 models. 6 ICE, 1 PHEV and 3 EV’s. Now advertise the daylights out of Buick and watch them grow back to the glory they once were instead of the death wish they now are.
You realize the Malibu has been discontinued right?
The only brand that will continue to have cars in the US is Cadillac.
Although history would agree with that, it’s also not confirmed as being killed off, but tends to be coming back as all new the following year and hopefully as EV. But who knows. Leave it to GM to kill off a nice sedan that outsells everything in the GM lineup but the Silverado, Equinox and now Trax. Instead, GM should be eliminating some of the massive CUV/SUV overlap of models that don’t sell worth a darn.
But to your point, yes I’ve read that. It’s why I stated that it would give the Malibu line more work and thus reason to keep it going.
Buick is profitable which Doug fails to think about.
Why should GM kill healthy parts? Enclave, Encore and Envista come of shared GM lines. Envision is a cash cow.
Buick US is mismanaged by GM but, according to CR is #6 in quality and JD Power says #3.
Buick could shift down market…play Kia to Chevrolet’s
Hyandai, or finally push upmarket to challenge Lexus. Buick could do well in Europe where Chevrolet has a poor reputation.
Cadillac is a failure besides Escalade. A reinvigorated Buick could match Acura and Lincoln.
I can’t say if your claim that Buick is profitable is correct or not. I do know that GMA has reported that Buick has the highest incentives in order to move product. Anyhow…..
Buick is absolutely mismanaged. No question there. I would totally say that Buick already competes with Lexus and Acura and Lincoln. The problem however (other than useless Lincoln) is that Buick offers ZERO sedans!!! Both Acura and Lexus smartly do offer sedans. So the fact is that although Buick is every bit as nice as those two brands, they can’t fully compete without a complete lineup of vehicles. And that’s where Buick is failing severely.
Kia is the same level as Hyundai, you must be stuck in your glory days. Buick couldn’t match Acura or Lincoln, it doesn’t have the cachet.
Buick’s future is in the “white spaces” it referred to years ago—spots like Cascada, Regal Tour X, and Envista. Places competitors have abandoned or neglected. The key to this is flexible architectures by GM and/or JVs domestic or abroad—partnering back with Opel/PSA through Stellantis could help achieve scale.
Batman: Yes, Kia = Hyundai just like Chevy/Ford or Toyota/Honda.
As to Buick “couldn’t match Acura or Lincoln”? How’s that? In what way? With Lincoln, even the Navigator pig just can’t seem to stand toe to toe with the Escalade. Beyond that, Lincoln no longer holds a candle to Cadillac. Buick is certainly in line with Lincoln. As for Acura and Lexus? Acura has kind of become literally the Japanese version of Buick in terms of sales and where they stand. Lexus has watered down the brand so much that they are barely even a fancier version of Toyota any more. Again, very aligned with Buick. If GM would give Buick some love and sedans instead of a bland new Enclave that’s nearly identical to the Chevy/GMC versions, then Buick could run with it and do way better. Until such time comes, Buick is destined to what it is now.
Doug DeMuro is a crap journalist. I’ve blocked him from my feed because he’s so bad. If I want to watch garbage, I’d turn on CNN.
Does he give anyone else Quentin Tarantino vibes, or is it just me?
I won’t lie. I watch Doug’s videos and find his corny jokes funny sometimes and his exotic car reviews interesting (more-so for the cars themselves not his obnoxious self). But I also think he lives under a rock. A quick online search he would find that Buick sells more cars in the US than Acura, Volvo, JLR, Infiniti, Alfa Romeo, Lincoln, and only slightly less than Audi. He is still a millennial living in the past that has not been able to move beyond the tired old “gandpa car” label. Every Buick I see nowadays the driver is typically in their 40s or 50s. These days, todays grandpas and grandmas (boomers at this point) are typically driving Corollas, Camrys, Accords, or Civics. So to me, nowadays these are more grandpa cars than modern day Buicks in my eyes.
You realize plenty of people in their late 40’s and 50’s are grandparents.
You know what I mean. 60 and up. And if you are a grandparent at the age of 40, chances are you ain’t driving a Buick let alone any new car.
When he said GMC only existed to give Pontiac and Buick dealers trucks, I knew his focus was too ahistorical. Plenty of Olds dealers sold GMC’s, too.
That said, he has some points about Buick. It needs more products. If Pontiac had been chosen instead of Buick, it too would have been in trouble if GM starved it in the same way it does the tri-shield.
By the way, I heard that GM was planning to keep selling the cars but not call them “Buicks,” just let the tri-shield speak for itself and call them by the model names. Is that true? If so, they’re screwy.
Like Cimarron by Cadillac? Or Riviera by Buick? That doesn’t make any sense. So what would they call them then? If they still had the logo they have to be called Buicks regardless otherwise how would not having a name associated with them help over simply taking the brand a new direction? What they need is a new direction. Cars like the Electra E5 or more of what they sell in China to give the brand a fresher lineup and more respect in the US. You want to turn the brand around not disassociate it. Any brand can be turned around. I remember Audi being a slacker throughout the 90s and it wasn’t until the early 2000s where they started making appealing vehicles.
Or are you implying they will simply drop the “Buick” lettering from the back and leave it with the tri-shield logo? That would be basically what Chevrolet and Cadillac is doing now. Nowhere in my XT5 does it say Cadillac in letters except in the owners manual. I would actually prefer that. It keeps the cars looking clean and also less areas to clump up wax when I am detailing my car.
Why does anyone care what this guy thinks?
I Always have and Always will Love Buick as they are one of my favorite GM brands in addition to Cadillac and Corvette. Buick has Always been rated very highly in the J.D Power and Associates New car reliability and dependability ratings and is up there with Lexus and other Japanese automakers. I think that’s part of the reason GM decided to keep Buick in addition to the brand being profitable in China. It would be Great if GM brought Buick to Europe and Australia someday soon which GM should totally consider doing. I definitely think that Buick has a future in America and maybe Europe and Australia. A few things need to happen with Buick to make it profitable in America and for sales to grow and for the brand be successful and competitive again. Here are some things that GM could and should do with Buick to bring more interest to consumers and with the buying public and bring more people to look at the brand and consider Buick as their next vehicle and into the future.
1. GM Needs to bring back Sedans, Coupes and a Convertible or two and a Wagon to the U.S. Buick Lineup. With only 4 SUVs and Crossovers and more on the way Buick has very little to offer and people aren’t very interested in their products and what they have to offer and non of them are very exciting or appealing to consumers especially young people who are Gen-Xers and Millennials. Their new commercials feature younger people because Buick is trying to attract younger buyers. They’re currently reinventing the brand and came out with a new logo which was featured on the Buick Wildcat Concept Car and shows Buick’s new design and brand direction for the future. Buick needs to offer actual cars like they used to and offer a wide range of models and body styles for every buyer and every person’s needs. Having Cars and SUV’s and Crossovers such as Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Lexus for example offer both Cars and SUVs which makes those brands more appealing and interesting because they offer more choices that the consumer and average car buyer wants. This is exactly what Buicks lineup should be today including Cadillac and Lincoln. Plus Buick, Cadillac and Lincoln should consider building their concept cars and putting them into production. Doing this would definitely bring interest and excitement to Buick, Cadillac and Lincoln and would bring back buyers who are interested in their vehicles as well as younger people like Gen-X and Millennials who have never owned one of their vehicles before. It would make the brands profitable again and foot traffic and people into showrooms. Buick should also offer a choice of Gas Engines as well as Plug-In Hybrid and Electric. Buick should be like Cadillac and keep internal combustion engines in production past 2030 and hold off on Electric Vehicles.
2. Buick should definitely share current and future vehicle platforms with Cadillac. Buick should use the same vehicle architecture as Cadillac currently has and build upcoming and future models on their platforms. For example they could build models such as:
CT4= Skylark or Skyhawk
CT5= Regal and Regal GS
Celestiq= Park Avenue
XT4 and Optiq= Encore GX
XT5 and Lyric= Envision
Vistiq= Enclave
2+2 Mid-Size Coupe/Convertible= Riviera
Large Convertible= Centurion or Wildcat
2 Seat Retractable Handbuilt Exclusive Hardtop Roadster= Reatta
High Performance= Grand National/GNX
Wagon= Roadmaster or Electra Estate Wagon
3. Buick needs to stop using cheap materials and hard plastics in their vehicles and use the similar materials for their interiors as Cadillac does and should also completely ditch cloth seats and offer all leather interiors with suede inserts and real wood trim like Cadillac does and leave the cloth seats for Chevy and GMC. GM needs to keep pushing Buick more upmarket as a real true premium luxury brand to compete with other premium brands like Acura, Genesis, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln and Volvo. Buick is a Premium Luxury brand and Always has been. They were Always very nice cars and were positioned below a Cadillac and above an Oldsmobile in GM’s corporate hierarchy and were known as the doctor’s car or bankers car. Buick used to use beautiful quality materials in their cars like crushed velour and pillow top seats and real grain leather as well as deep plush pile carpeting and wood trim and chrome knobs and trim for the interior. Most of their Sedans offered 6 passenger seating equipped with front and rear bench seats and column shifter and their Wagons offered 8 passenger seating with the rear facing seats. GM is cheapening Buick interiors and the Buick brand with the Korean made Envista and Encore GX and Chinese made Envision. The Envista, Encore GX and Envision All need to be brought back to the U.S. and manufactured in America with U.S. made engines and transmissions and all components and parts. GM should reinvest in Flint Michigan and bring All current and future Buick manufacturing as well as their world headquarters and all manufacturing back to Flint where Buick originated from and belongs and also make the Buick brand exclusive to Flint Michigan.
4. I know that Buick and GMC are sold together in the same dealership but it absolutely doesn’t make any sense to sell the two brands together because they are both very similar looking vehicles to each other. When you had Pontiac, Buick and GMC together it made sense but since both Buick and GMC are both SUVs and Crossovers selling together in the same showroom makes them both redundant. I personally think what GM should do with Buick and they should have done this after Pontiac was gone and after they re-emerged from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2010 was to combine Buick and Cadillac dealerships together but have separate showrooms much like JLR Jaguar-Land Rover currently has with one side Jaguar and Land Rover on the other. Buick and Cadillac are both Luxury brands of GM and it makes sense in a way to have both together but in separate showrooms. You could have Premium Luxury and High-End Luxury and give buyers a choice of which brand they’d prefer including price points and which brand they would be interested in buying more. Most of the Buick dealers that I remember when growing up were all stand-alone small family owned and operated dealerships except for some that were paired with other GM brands.
5. Buick and Cadillac should do more social and exclusive events for consumers and current and former owners. They could have events such as an Experience Buick and Cadillac Test Drive event on the street or on a road course and also host new vehicle unveiling events with live music, drinks and appetizers and hors d’oeuvres. This would bring the public and many different people who are interested in seeing all the latest Buick and Cadillac vehicles and getting to experience them by test driving and getting to know the vehicles features and options before deciding to buy one. Corvette and Lincoln should definitely do the same. Buick, Cadillac and Corvette could also offer a Complimentary Vehicle Concierge Service for their customers and offer services such as Free vehicle pickup and drop off with free loaner vehicle as well as Hand Car Wash and Detailing Services and invitations to events for Buick, Cadillac and Corvette customers and current and former owners. Lincoln should do the same.
These are some of the excellent different ways that I think that GM could improve the overall perception and interest in Buick by marketing and getting more people interested in the brand and see what Buick is all about. Hopefully some of these ideas actually happen for Buick and help the brand here in America and hopefully GM will bring Buick to Europe and Australia. Cadillac, Corvette and Lincoln could benefit from these ideas as well.
Peter,
Is that all you have or did your hand fall asleep?
I especially like the MADE in USA idea. Let’s see if anything changes after Nov elections.
James I really hope so. It’s definitely what we really need more of in this country is for All jobs and manufacturing to be brought back to America and to support our American workers and their families. I would Love it of GM and Buick brought production of the Envista, Encore GX and Envision including All future Buicks back to the USA and would made Exclusively in Flint. Other assembly location possibilities could be Fairfax Assembly in Fairfax Kansas or Springhill Assembly in Springhill Tennessee.
I think GM’s strategy is to save Buick by killing cadillac. If they make all cadillacs at least $25-50k more expensive, then Buick has a place to thrive.
He sounds like he works for a competitor. I have owned the Buick Encore 5 years and GX 3 years and they are great cars. Too many naysayers in society today.
As a middle-aged man… who grew up in the death of the station wagon… heyday of the minivan… rise of the SUV (body-on-frame) era… and lived through all the changes in-between… I agree with the fellow people who think that GM will probably kill off the Buick lineup… just like they did Pontiac and Saturn (most recently), Oldsmobile, etc.
However, the part I agree with most… is that they don’t have to… period.
I have always been… and still am.. a fan of cars. Nothing against SUVs, CUVs, EVs, etc.., (owned SUVs and CUVs) but I feel like there’s still a market for the 4-door sedan.
I currently drive a 2015 Hyundai (yes, I said it) Genesis that I recently purchased (owned literally a month – 57K miles!) because I felt that it was one of the most well-equipped, nicely styled (bland, yes… but not boring – given the styling cues it takes from multiple popular cars), reasonably well-built (taking into full account any/all the reliability issues plaguing the brand – read everything I could find online and talked to multiple actual owners of different models within the KIA and Hyundai brands) and reasonably priced (given the terrible depreciation of the car) on the used market.
And with the separation of the Genesis brand from the parent company Hyundai… the lineup is now considered a comparable contender in the luxury/luxury performance market…. something which Buick already is for GM (separate from Chevrolet and Cadillac).
Buick doesn’t have to lean, or cater towards the elderly segment (as it has been mostly known for in my adult lifetime) or the youth segment (who experts claim are only interested in high performance sport sedans).
I believe that there’s a middle-aged market 42-44+ to 55-60, 65… who are after the best of all worlds… or in layman’s words… a premium brand… neither all out high-end performance or standard budget people movers
Buick could dial in fresh styling ( like the last generation LaCrosse – based on the Avenir concept [if I’m not mistaken]). The front end, and sides were spot on (yes, I know that the sides are Impala… as well as the interior being more of a slightly upgraded version of the Impala). The rear of the vehicle is what… in my opinion, was the first thing to turn buyers away.
As far as driving dynamics… Buick should attempt to straddle the line… offering the standard, ECO, and a slightly tuned sport-mode. Yes, both Buick, and every other car brand… has tried to and is continuing to look to do just that.
But, I feel that a more intentional aim for premium… not standard or performance high-end… instead a real concentration on the right styling, features, for the price… above Chevrolet, but still not quite a Cadillac… is the target market.
The middle-aged market still is comfortable having the SUV, CUV, in the garage for the wife/family (and is more comfortable in it for all of their obvious reasons appealing to aging buyers – high step-in, high visibility, etc)… we still like to have a nice looking, well-equipped, and reasonably priced (42K-44K base model – 55K+ top-of-the-line) 4-door sedan in the driveway.
We are still young enough to both remember… and get-in-and-out of … a premium 4-door sedan. And we enjoy having a good, reliable, comfortable, and occasionally somewhat fun-to-drive car that makes us feel like there’s a part of our youth and manhood there… along with the mortgage, career, insurance, aging parents, children, etc.
They also may be more financially stable… and therefore able to be more discerning about how and what they spend their income on… provide them with the option
Hyundai, Acura, Infiniti, and the entry-level Lexus vehicles don’t have to dominate… or be the only players in the segment
But GM has to focus in on premium for the Buick brand lineup across the board… including the SUVs, CUVs and EVs… and bringing back 4-door sedans, coupes and maybe a intentional low-volume seller convertible.
The market is there… just appeal to what they ask for
AQ,
You bought a 2015 Hyundai or did someone pay you to take it? Doug DeMoron is another in a long line of jap car a$$ kissers. Buick, just one more division ruined by gm. Why anyone would spend money on 3 and 4 cylinder Chinese or Korean turds is beyond me.
If gm had any decency they would rename this division Geo and let David Dunbar Buick’s name die with whatever dignity it had left.
jofa,
Yeah… I know…it’s been a month… and I honestly don’t actually believe it myself. But, outside of a fuel pump replacement (covered by temp warranty)… I am really having a hard time finding anything that I don’t like about this Hyundai Genesis. Only time will tell as far as the reliability goes… and I know based on brand history… the odds ain’t in my favor.
Aside from that… the car is all but perfect for me or someone around my age, health and condition, income level, and the amount I was looking to spend on purchasing a low mileage used 4-door sedan.
Personally, I wouldn’t buy any vehicle new… simply due to depreciation… 0% APR’s help,but not enough.
For the year model (2015), it’s in my opinion, a better looking Toyota Avalon. And I come from a family who’s patriarch… although he owned Pontiac, Olds, Chevy (his brother’s C10), and Buick (oldest son’s Park Avenue)… preached buying Toyota to all of us.
And I owned a Camry… and still have my mother’s Corolla… so I practiced what I was preached.
The Hyundai Genesis has more than enough bells and whistles, drives great, and rides comfortable… all of which appeal to me… as well as… though again, a hodge-podge of other cars… styling that stands out without sticking out… or tries to hard to scream mid-life crisis.
The 2017+ LaCrosse, the 2018 Regal GS (maybe the base trim) were a great attempt at styling and amenities (again, save the rear – not sure what they were thinking there) … and Buick was trending in the right direction with the sedan lineup.
I know that the auto world has all but predicted the death of the sedan.. again… but I feel that manufacturers might just need to change the target market… from moms who wanted 4 doors, lots of room and seating space, fuel efficiency, and “sporty” looks… to a muted slightly aggressive muscular cued styled, comfortable, yet fun to drive, 4-door functional, daily and date-night sedan.
GM has all the room and brand recognition it needs in the Buick lineup to do just that.
You just described me, my life, my situation, and why I got a Buick TourX this year. My first ever Buick and by far the best all-around vehicle I’ve ever driven.
I love my 2021 Envision so much that after the 3 year lease expired I bought it. I would have liked to lease a new Envision but there no 2024 or 2025 available. B4 leasing the 2021 Envision I test drove several comparable makes but liked the Envision’s ride, style and quality. Gets high marks from me.
I completely disagree with Doug. I don’t care for his videos. His tone and emphasis on words when he speaks is grating. There are better people out there with better content. Buick is doing fine. Their popularity in china helps keep it going. I think their offerings are quite nice. The envista has a terrific shape to the body. Styling details are sharp. The dash is nice with properly integrated screens. I do think they should introduce passenger cars. Naming them after storied names of the past may not work. I don’t love the wild styling of the Korean brands though they are popular. I am a GM guy. I prefer the smooth styling of the GM vehicles. I also like the styling of the Chevy. Aggressive but not strange. And I will leave this here. He wrote a guest column for motor trend magazine. The title? There were no good cars made in the 80’s.
I just bought a 2024 Buick Envista and I think they hit a home run with this vehicle, they just need to market it properly and it will sell.
Buick was always Gramaw and Grampa’s car.
If GM wanted midway between Chevy and Caddy they should have kept Oldsmobile. Affordable family car with more style and performance.
The Delta 88 was one of the coolest 6 pass highway cruisers at a reasonable price and the 442 iif ordered right was one of the hottest muscle cars in its day.
Except Olds had already been jettisoned by then.
That’s my point. They should have dumped Buick INSTEAD of Olds.
Yes I agree the decision to kill Pontiac and Oldsmobile was a mistake these 2 divisions had more styling and sports to attract a more younger buyer than Buick. GM is on a collision course and will loose pushing these EVs We are not ready .. And they have Mary who loves China and gives an update XT5 exclusive to China ,,,watch Cadillac sales decline even more . I canceled my order ..
Unfortunately, Oldsmobile had an aging demographic, and attempts to improve its appeal failed. My first car was a ’62 Starfire, and I miss the make to this day.
Right now the entire auto industry needs to wake up, prices are too high across the board, there needs to be a price correction and also a reset on the types of vehicles they are making. Maybe some more affordable and reliable vehicles need to be made. Marketing will only be able to support this for so long before all manufacturers are in the same boat as Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, when the inventory piles up pricing will come down.
I kinda agree Buick has gotten blah!!! No sparkle, it’s too plain!!! I’ve owned many a Buicks too! Sorry but I agree GM just doesn’t need it..👍✌️👌
Love my 2015 Buick Enclave. They (Buick) had better be around when it’s time to replace it.
I agree with doug.. I don’t usually but here I think he has a good point!
Buick announced a long time ago that they were dropping their complete sedan line because American buyers were not buying their cars and sales were far to low so they said they were just going to drop the sedan and car line completely and focus on the suv market only because at that time it was booming
When you think of great Buick models, it’s the Riviera, Grand National, Wildcat, Skylark GS…..no one will ever remember these SUV’s
I purchased a Buick Envision after doing an extensive search with no brand in mind at the start. Interior had better fit and finish than any other, great ride, and good looks. I would be sad not to have it as an option.
Sherry,
Please tell us about your extensive search. What vehicles did you drive? Did you use a micrometer/ calipers to check panel gaps. Were the gaps so outrageous you didn’t need precise tools? Looks are subjective, ride is whatever you find comfortable.
Do you care whatsoever where a vehicle is constructed and assembled? Did you look on the monroney label to see where it’s made? We’re not talking about 800.00 iPhones made in China, these are 30,000 to 40,000 vehicles. Make sure to tell your neighbors about your Chinese purchase.
Disagree. The old lady next door to me loves her Envision. The old lady across the street loved her Envision but upgraded to the Enclave because she needed more space for hauling food for the soup kitchen she runs. The old lady 2 doors down who lost her license after she drove through the garage into the den told me if she still had her license she’d buy a Buick, and my Mom almost bought an Envision but her husband wanted something more rugged looking so they bought a Terrain. As long as there are old ladies there will be Buicks.
The next generation of older women will not want Buicks. Generations Jones and X drive Japanese cars, though X seems to like Volkswagens, too.
The Buick is a really nice vehicle. The 2.0 has got a good amount of pep for a 4 cylinder.
Interior is fantastic
Suspension is great
I am surprised more people are not buying the Buick models.
And Dodge sucks now.
I think all American brands are “failing”. GM, Ford, FCA. The only thing that sells and keeps them afloat is your country obsession with pickup trucks and SUV’S. Also in recent years…the push to EV has seen most brands put all their developmental budget there. What will really put the nail in the coffin is when the Chinese cars and brands make it here. And as much tarrifs as you put in…once they land they will overtake anything. Buick is doing what it can to stay relevant. There Envista has been selling well because while people keep praising the luxury segment…your country is composed of more regular folks that need affordable vehicles. Whoever focuses on that will stay relevant.
TOTALLY DISAGREE
If BUICK Brand has a problem at all, it = poor marketing
As an ENVISTA owner-driver for past year, it is one of the best pound for pound values + enjoyment + style + good mpg cars that I have ever owned!
Plus,
It elicits many positive feedback comments.
I have already entered my ST edition within a couple of car shows here in CT just to get the vehicle awareness out there (& no, I do not work for Buick @ any capacity)!
In my humble opinion, GM should have dumped Buick and kept Pontiac. Aztec aside, they really did know how to build excitement.
I agree. Let China have Buick. Canada and Mexico also liked Pontiac.
Who is this guy and who cares what he says? Never heard of him and am not impressed.
My grandpa worked for “The Buick” in Flint for 49 years and I was partially raised in a ’69 Buick Special and a ’76 Buick Estate Wagon with a 455 and a ’79 Park Avenue. Wife currently sells new Buicks and GMCs and those who buy Buicks appear to really like them. Obviously, the line-up is too limited, but I think there remains a niche market for Buick as “upscale” GM vehicles which are nicer than Chevys but not as expensive as Cadillacs.
Buick has incredible vehicles in its past which GM does not take advantage of with the current offerings.
Advertising/promotion/marketing would certainly promote/sell Buick’s, is general Buick’s, Tour X, and what about sedans. They have all the needed models available in China, so why not here?
While comments here aren’t necessarily scientific research, I get the feeling Chinese-made Buicks would be a poor seller. As for advertising, given that those models weren’t advertised when they existed (and I never saw an ad for the Chevy SS), I have no confidence they would advertise anything that isn’t a truck or an SUV.