10-25-2009, 07:53 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,182
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Not Your Grandpa's Buick
Quote:
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.
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.
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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First drive: 2010 Buick LaCrosse - 1 - *- Autos - MSN CA
Looks good! Nice improvement. So that's where GM put Canada's tax dollars towards. 
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