Shifting the affordable luxury landscape
Photo: Richard Russell
Mt-Tremblant, Que. - When General Motors announced it would be dropping the Pontiac and Saturn brands for 2010, many people wondered why Buick didn't get the axe instead. In short, the answer is China.
While Buick has an unshakable reputation of being associated with an aging demographic, not to mention an unhealthy sales situation in North America, this is not the case in the world's fastest-growing automotive market. In China, Buick is a status symbol. The last Emperor owned two Buicks, while the young and wealthy aspire to be seen in one. It should come as no surprise that Buick has sold more cars in China than in North America for several years running.
China is expected to pass North America and become the world's largest new car market this year and expectations are that more than 130 million new vehicles will be sold there by 2020. And given its prestigious status, GM figures that it can capture a major share of the action with Buick.
A true global effort
Photo: Buick
Accordingly, the 2010 LaCrosse is aimed squarely at the Chinese, but it will also play a major role in other markets around the world as a means of building the Buick brand. While the interior was designed in China, the exterior was penned at GM's American design centre, while the platform was developed in Germany.
The result is a Buick with the interior space and luxuries typically associated with the brand, accompanied by an unexpected level of driving dynamics. If Buick's international intentions weren't clear enough, it's worth noting that the LaCrosse will be built in Kansas City, Korea and China, and that it will be sold in numerous markets around the world including Japan.
Photo: Buick
Compared to the outgoing Allure, the LaCrosse is contemporarily styled with a masculine stance aided by large wheels and tires. The characteristic Buick waterfall grill and portholes are present, but rather than being mounted on the fenders, the vents have been tacked onto the top of the hood making them look like an afterthought. While we understand GM's desire to preserve some Buick heritage, it's time to sink this ancient styling cue and perhaps lose more of the chrome trim.
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Korea and China, and that it will be sold in numerous markets around the world including Japan.
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Ah nice!!just another piece of auto history as G.M. cannot take the lead . you have old croanies still at the top that think"oh maybe if we copy the Japanese North Americans will buy them. NOT!!!Biggest mistake G.M. is doing is absolutley nothing new. This Buick Lacross looks like the new Mazda6 or a Lexus. Why cant G.M. make cars that look NORTH AMERICAN>. Stop following Japanese and European car makers and make something truly American. enough copying ..all cars look the same now they are running out of ideas. KEEP PONTIAC..THIS IS GING TO BE THEIR BIGGEST MISTAKE!!!!Who cares about what Chinese are buying? I dont give a rats &*^s..Ford is moving in the right direction without being bailed out, there cars are lloking more North American every year. Get with the program G.M. I say fire the whole lot!!!especially the old farts in there that havent got a clue!!Keep Pontiac and Chev, as cars, leave all truck models to GMC..have Buick as the world car maker but limit it here, Cadillac as special order, this would put G.M. ina more competitive way, and give us North Americans a choice other than Chevrolet..give me back my Firebirds and GTOS that look North American any day over this crap that Japan makes that there own people wont buy them, they buy German which tells you something....
Looks better then it is. Took a test drive , Nov26/09. The interior is very nice but:
This car has way too soft a suspension, it wallows on anything but perfectly smooth pavement, its seat should go a little lower, there is no comfortable place to put your elbows when cruising, and there is no interior trunk release. This car is heavy for the base engine with the result the larger engine gives better mileage. Another thing but not unique to the Lacrosse is that the fuel cap is on the passenger side and I prefer it being on the driver's side.