Filed under: Car Buying, Marketing/Advertising, Buick

We interrupt our regularly scheduled “Buicks are for old people and lascivious golfers jokes” to tell you that the average, median age of a Buick buyer is 70 years old. Compare that to the average age of a new car buyer: 52. Obviously – and no offense to you septuagenarians out there – seventy ain’t sexy. And as the first rule of twenty-first century marketing (and light beer commercials) dictates: sex sells.

That said, there is a glimmer of hope if you look at the brand’s recent sales trends. Take the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The median age of its buyer is 55 years old. That’s a decade and a half younger than the average Buick buyer, but still a full three years older than the industry average. However you pull apart the numbers, that’s good news for Buick.

Buick’s new boss – 42 year-old Brian Sweeney who just took over the Buick/GMC division from the nine days and out Michael Richards – wants to lower that age even more. His plan? In a word, Regal. Buick plans to use “experimental marketing” when they pitch the new Regal to potential customers.

We don’t yet know what that means in specific, but Buick feels they helped pedal the new LaCrosse to a younger-ish audience by showing the car at, “coffee shops, art fairs and wine festivals.” Can we therefore expect to see the Regal at tattoo parlors, dive bars and yoga studios? We wouldn’t rule it out. Well, we would rule out the dive bars. And the tattoo joints. Either way, pitching “Not your grandfather’s Buick” is a hard sell.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

REPORT: Buick aiming to look younger, see other people (under 70) originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

The North American International Auto Show is typically the big show for Detroit-based automakers and 2010 appears to be no different for General Motors. Chris Preuss, GM’s vice president of communications, has hit Twitter confirming that each of the General’s four brands will have at least one vehicle to display at the Detroit Auto Show next month. As expected, Cadillac will unveil the 2011 CTS-V coupe along with a concept version of its XTS sedan, a model slated to replace the aging DTS in the next year or two. GMC will unleash the Granite, which, according to earlier reports, will be based on the Delta platform and the forthcoming Chevrolet Orlando.

Chevrolet figures to have a somewhat quieter show, with its big reveal being the Aveo RS, which we hear is all-new and very little like the narrow and unattractive B-Segment hatch GM is selling now. Buick will be chasing the ghosts of Grand Nationals and T-Types past with a performance variant of the 2011 Regal that may share a lot of parts with the 325-horsepower Opel Insignia OPC. We can hardly wait for January 11.

[Source: Twitter]

GM exec confirms Cadillac XTS, GMC Granite, Chevrolet Aveo RS for Detroit via Twitter originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick

Buick has a long history of turbocharged Regals, starting back in 1978 when the first example appeared. That “personal luxury” coupe was one of the first mainstream American products to adopt exhaust-driven turbocharging to recover some of the power lost to downsized engines. Unfortunately, in the era before electronic engine management and fuel injection, those Regals weren’t very good. Over the next decade, however, Buick refined these technologies, which led to the formidable GNX, supposedly the quickest production car in the world when it was introduced in 1986.

Fast forward to today and the Regal badge is back. Aside from four wheels and Buick’s signature water fall grille, the new Regal has no relationship to the Regals of yore. Unlike the Eighties, when making an American car more “European” meant painting the chrome trim black and stiffening the springs, this sedan was originally developed by General Motors’ European operation as the Opel Insignia. As such, it might actually appeal to those considering a BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 or Mercedes-Benz C-Class. But to really seal the deal, Buick is using the Detroit Auto Show to revive another one of its historic badges: the GS. Learn about the Regal GS after the jump.

Live photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Buick Regal GS brings performance back to TriShield brand

Buick Regal GS brings performance back to TriShield brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Buick, GM

Is the Buick Regal GS the most important “maybe” of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show? It’s been more than two decades since performance enthusiasts cared about Buick in any meaningful way. The car at that time was the now legendary Buick GNX. Even if the proposed Regal GS makes production – a big if – it’s not going to be a GNX replacement, at least not in the hearts and minds of power-mad Buick enthusiasts. However, at this chapter in Buick’s story, every little performance bit counts.

That stated, here’s what we might get: Power comes from a beefed-up version of the direct-injected 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder making 255 horsepower and a walloping 295 pound-feet or torque. Compare that to the regular 2.0-liter DI Ecotec that we know and love in cars like the Pontiac Solstice GXP and Chevrolet Cobalt SS: 260 hp, 260 lb-ft of twist. Five horsepower less, sure (your lawnmower makes five horsepower), but we’ll gladly trade those ponies for the 35 extra torques. All that grunt gets routed through a six-speed manual before being kicked out to all four wheels. Speaking of wheels, the Regal GS rides on gorgeous 20-inch alloys that are hauled to a halt by big Brembos squeezing 14-inch cross-drilled and vented rotors.

One of the more interesting aspects of the Regal GS is its traction control system that Buick has dubbed “Interactive Drive Control.” There’s a Normal mode, a Sport mode and most enticing, a GS mode. That final setting changes the default torque split, routing most of the power to the rear wheels. Color us curious, excitedly so. The Regal GS also sits 10mm lower than the standard car and is further visually differentiated by twin intakes on the front clip and two through-fascia tailpipes. It’s even got sporty Recaros and a flat-bottomed steering wheel.

Are they going to build it? Our gut says “yes,” or something very close to it. As a brand, Buick needs a shot in the arm of something hot and bothered. Why not a hopped-up Regal? And will we eventually see an even more muscular version of the Regal GS, fitted with a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 from the Opel Insignia OPC, possibly called the Regal GSX? Maybe GNX fans will have something to look forward to after all. High-res shots below, official press release with full specs and video of the live reveal after the jump.

[Source: Buick]

Continue reading Detroit 2010: Regal GS concept seeks to reignite Buick’s performance fire [w/video]

Detroit 2010: Regal GS concept seeks to reignite Buick’s performance fire [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GM

General Motors had a tough 2009, but one very bright spot was the success of some of its newest models. GM North America President Mark Reuss has informed reporters at the Detroit Auto Show that the plants that build the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Equinox and Buick LaCrosse are already at full capacity and The General simply cannot meet demand. That’s a good problem to have, and GM is working on a backup plan in the event demand for cars and trucks exceeds its current capacity.

The Associated Press reports that Reuss told the media that the solution to too much demand could be to reopen one of the General’s shuttered plants. Reuss specifically pointed to the company’s Spring Hill facility in Tennessee as a factory that could reopen to augment production, which makes sense in light of the fact that GM recently spent many millions of dollars to upgrade the plant to build the Chevrolet Traverse. Assuming GM can relight the fires at Spring Hill, that money would appear to be well spent, as Reuss reminded reporters that Spring Hill is flexible enough to build several different models.

GM has placed its Janesville, Wisconsin and Spring Hill plants on standby in the event that it needs more capacity when the U.S. auto industry begins to improve. Considering that new plants can cost over a billion dollars, we’re thinking that’s a pretty good idea.

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo]

Report: GM may reopen factories to keep up with high demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Buick, Cadillac, Celebrities, Luxury

According to a report from USA Today, Tiger Woods no longer gets free cars from General Motors. No worries, we’re pretty sure Tiger can afford to pay for his own ride anyway.

The news, attributed to Buick spokesperson Dayna Hart, comes as a number of companies like Tag Heuer and Accenture have canceled advertising contracts with the star golfer. GM, though, indicates that the free car agreement was scheduled to end on December 31st and therefore isn’t necessarily a result of Woods’ November 27 accident outside his Florida home that led to his admission of marital infidelity.

Woods hasn’t been a spokesperson for GM since the golfer’s contract ended in 2008, but the automaker had reportedly agreed to let Woods keep his Buick and Cadillac vehicles for an additional year. As previously reported, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Woods was driving will be repaired and sold.

[Source: USA Today via San Francisco Chronicle]

Report: General Motors no longer provides Tiger Woods with free cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Podcasts, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Lincoln, Toyota, Volkswagen

It’s a North American International Auto Show recap for Episode #161 of the Autoblog Podcast. Chris, Sam and Dan mull the top five of the show before speaking more in depth about some unveilings. The new Chevrolet Aveo gets us started before we move on to another sharply styled General Motors concept, the GMC Granite. We touch briefly on the Honda CR-Z, and then Toyota’s FT-CH comes up next before we call it a night with the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe Concept.

We’ll be back again next week with more Autoblog Podcast goodness. Until then, fill in with Joystiq and Engadget. Let us know what you think of our podcast by dropping us an email at Podcast at Autoblog dot com, reviewing the show in iTunes, filling out our survey, or even leaving us a voicemail on our Google Voice line 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763). Thanks for listening!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #161 – Detroit Auto Show recap

Autoblog Podcast #161 – Detroit Auto Show recap originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, Buick, GM, GMC, Pontiac

When General Motors put Oldsmobile out to pasture, many owners defected from GM brands all-together. In an effort to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself with soon to be displaced Pontiac owners, the General is extending an olive branch in the form of a year of free maintenance.

Automotive News reports that GM is offering four years of free service visits – including oil changes and tire rotations – to specific Buick-GMC dealerships for owners of 1999 and newer Pontiac vehicles. Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick-GMC, told AN that the plan is to “to keep the relationship with the Buick-GMC dealer.” Customers will be given specific Buick-GMC dealers to utilize for the free service in order to help the dealers develop a relationship with said customer in hopes that they will use that dealership to purchase future products.

A potential problem with the plan is that Pontiac and Buick/GMC models aren’t exactly in the same price range, though (potential) future products like the Buick Excelle and the GMC Granite concept could be priced competitively enough to keep some Pontiac owners in the GM family.

With new service customers on the way, we’re sure the Buick-GMC dealers are excited about this program. Many Buick-GMC dealers used to sell Pontiacs as well, so many of the brand’s former customers won’t even have to go to a new dealer to cash in on the free maintenance.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: Justin Sullivan/Getty]

GM wooing current Pontiac owners with free service originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Buick

* Includes destination charge of $750.

** That’s for just the mid-level CXL trim, which is the only trim available at launch. The $26,995 starting price includes the base 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. Opting for the more powerful turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter Ecotec four-cylinder producing 220 hp raises the starting price to $29,495.

*** A less expensive CX trim will be offered as a 2012 model and carry a lower starting price than the CXL at launch. The Regal won’t have a top-level CXS trim like the LaCrosse, presumably because the high-performance GS model will be the best Regal you can buy.

Phew, now that we have those caveats out of the way, the 2011 Regal will go on sale here in the U.S. around the beginning of the second quarter (March-ish). The first batch of cars will be assembled in Russelsheim, Germany, while production of the Regal at General Motors’ Oshawa plant in Canada won’t commence until Q1 2011. We’re guessing this whole business of offering only the mid-level CX trim at launch has something to do with the Russelsheim plant being busy making Insignias for Europe. Americans will have to wait at least a year for GM to up its production capacity before being able to buy a less expensive Regal CX, let alone the more expensive GS.

[Source: Buick]

Continue reading 2011 Buick Regal will start at $26,995******

2011 Buick Regal will start at $26,995****** originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 01:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Sedan, Buick, GM

Here’s another feature you can include in the 2011 Buick Regal purchase price: Pause and Play radio. It’s already a feature on some of General Motors‘ higher-end vehicles like the Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac CTS, and will be introduced on the Regal and Chevrolet Cruze.

Working like your cable TV DVR, Pause and Play allows you to save up to 20 minutes of whatever’s playing on the radio, even XM or Sirius. That it’s coming on the Buick is only to be expected. That it’s coming on the Cruze is good news from GM, allowing us to believe even more and more in a future of full-featured little domestic cars on decent budgets. So, SYNC… take that!

[Source: GM]

Continue reading GM expanding Pause and Play Radio to two new vehicles

GM expanding Pause and Play Radio to two new vehicles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jan 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments