what's new about recalls leading to more sales? pretty sure that's been a known thing in auto industry for as long as i've been shopping... but those frontline salesfolk would know best... seems to me that what GM is doing is taking things that were previously TSBs or would be TSBs (technical service bulletins, aka "secret recalls") and now by default making them full recalls, just to be sure that any error is made on the side of safety.
I guess just about anything that gets a warm body into a dealership is good. But I never thought of sending out recall notices as being a marketing tool before.
Back when GM had that saddle tank fiasco, I remember my Grandmother getting a voucher in the mail, as my '85 Silverado was still in her name at the time. IIRC, it had an offer of something like $1000 off the purchase of a new GM vehicle, if we bought one within a certain timeframe, $500 off if if we missed that deadline, but after a certain cutoff it became worthless.
I don't remember if we had to trade in the old truck or not. At the time though, we just didn't think it was worth it, as the chances of the truck getting t-boned at 73+ mph and subsequently bursting into flames seemed pretty slim. Plus, we didn't play with model rockets...
"Susie Buffett's intent was to purchase a new CTS sports sedan (for her dad). Willers convinced her to buy an XTS luxury sedan instead. GM CEO Mary Barra had recommended the XTS to Buffett.
Buffett smoothed things over in a May 21 letter to Barra. "My daughter said her dad's 'car guy friend' (that's you) said he should buy a CTS, but Madison said the XTS would be more appropriate," Buffett wrote to Barra.
"I think this reflects an evaluation on her part that from Susie's description I must be hopelessly over-the-hill (a unanimous view among my family," he said."
I'm 57 and I could see myself owning a CTS-V, but if my family or friends heard that I'd bought an XTS they would think I'd suffered a stroke or closed-head injury...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I have owned Cadillacs in the past, but not at the moment. I am, however, contemplating one for my next vehicle. And I'm 63, so I suppose I would bring down the average age by an infinitesimal amount.
According to page two of that article, the average Cadillac buyer is 59.5, compared to 60.3 for Buick and 61 for Lincoln. The average new car buyer, overall, is 51.8.
So GM has done a pretty good job in getting their buyer ages down. I remember about 10-12 years ago, Buick's average age was well into the 60's. I think their most youthful vehicle at the time was the Rendezvous, with an average buyer age in the late 40's. Can't remember what the Rainier was. I remember the Regal was 57. My Dad was 57 when he bought a used '03 Regal, and I teased him that he was finally old enough to buy a Buick! I want to say the Park Ave was around 67, while the Century and LeSabre, Buick's volume sellers at the time, were 70! A lot of those Centurys and LeSabres went to fleets though, and even my Dad's Regal was an ex rental car.
I'm surprised that the average new car buyer age is that old. But, I've heard that younger people aren't buying cars like they used to. And in many cases, it's the parents buying them for the kids, so it's going to be the parent's age that gets documented. Plus, with the way the economy has been of late, I'd imagine a new car is further out of reach of many young people. So there probably aren't as many young car buyers to keep the average down.
The XTS is too small. It would make a nice car for my wife as it is pretty much the same as the LaCrosse underneath. I'm awaiting a Cadillac RWD/AWD V-8 flagship sedan. I keep hearing rumors and teaser shots of disguised cars. The latest issue of Motor Trend showed a picture of a camouflaged contender. Outside of that, I forsee having my DTS as long as I've had the Brougham.
GM Korea reaches tentative wage deal, averting strike
(Reuters) - General Motors' South Korean unit reached a tentative wage deal with its labor union on Monday, averting a potential strike at one of its key Asian production bases.
The agreement came after GM Korea CEO Sergio Rocha earlier this month warned that potential labor unrest could lead to further production cuts for the company in South Korea.
The deal is subject to a union vote on Wednesday and Thursday.
The U.S. automaker said in December it would stop selling its Chevrolet-branded cars in Europe by the end of 2015, a move that hit output at its plant in Gunsan, South Korea, which produces most of the Chevy cars sold in Europe.
"We can't win it all. We will leave the deal to the judgment of our union members," union spokesman Jang Kyung-dae told Reuters.
The company said the two sides had reached a deal in "a smooth and peaceful way," and confirmed the new wage and bonus terms.
GM's South Korean workers earlier this month voted to go on strike over stalled wage talks.
Under the deal, GM Korea agreed to pay a combined 10.5 million won ($10,200) in bonuses and incentives to each worker and raise the basic wage by 63,000 won.
The bonuses and incentives are slightly higher than last year's, while the basic wage increase was less than last year's rise of 92,000 won. For workers with 20 years experience, the basic wage increase is about 3.3 percent, according to a union official.
Gee imagine that a raise for auto workers ( and a rather large bonus as well) seems like the Korean union has more power than the Canadian one, the workers here haven't had a raise in 9 years, and although they get a cost of living allowance at the end of the year it is no where near what the Koreans got for a bonus ( I think it is around $3000 but is taxed by the government and winds up being around $1500, still not horrible but compared to the bonus the Koreans get ( or even the UAW workers from what I have read) not much, and yet they say the Canadian plants aren't competitive, I call BS
And, the check engine light came on late last week.
I'll predict the SES light to be emissions related: gas cap o-ring seal on rough interior of the fuel opening, a purge valve that's on the engine above the valve cover next to intake manifold, or more rarely the vent valve that has to close to allow the system to perform the vacuum test to be sure there are no leaks.
Mine was a purge valve. It's in a hot area on top of engine and cycles frequently. Mine was stuck ON. Gave a slight roughness to idle at times.
I'll predict a P044X series code.
I'm sure you've replaced the spark plugs and wires with quality OEM or AC Delco wires? But that
would usuallly invoke a miss that you would have noticed under very light acceleration in 4th gear.
I'm going to hook the code reader up to it tonite, and see what it says. The car seems to be running fine. Just, one morning last week, I started it up to drive to work, and a few seconds after it started, the light came on, accompanied with a chime. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, idle, roughness, etc though.
I've had check engine lights come on in the past, where they'd go away after enough on/off cycles, I guess. One-time hiccups that trigger them, I guess. Hopefully, this ends up being something minor; as much as I like the 2014 Impala, I'm not financially ready for one right now!
Imidazol, you nailed it...just plugged in the code reader. P0446! I tried looking it up online, looks like it could be the evaporative canister, or a fuel pressure sensor.
@andre1969 said:
Imidazol, you nailed it...just plugged in the code reader. P0446! I tried looking it up online, looks like it could be the evaporative canister, or a fuel pressure sensor.
Remove and test the purge valve FIRST. I got fooled by the codes thinking I had a vent valve
problem. And the book doesn't say the sensor or canister as first choices in troubleshooting.
That's true, and they sold a whopping 18,000 of them in 2013 in the US. I think they really built the Regal for China. They were also going to use the Insignia as a basis for a new Saturn Aura, but dropped those plans for obvious reasons.
Isn't the Buick Regal kind of sales flop? The only current Buick models I see on a somewhat consistent basis are the LaCrosse and the Enclave, although there is somebody at work who has an Encore. But, with the likes of the Regal or Verano, I hardly ever see those.
Personally, I don't think Buick should be peddling cars like the Verano, or Encore. But, I guess if Acura can get away with its ILX and whatever they call their version of the CRV, then Buick should be able to get a pass, too!
@andre1969 said:
Isn't the Buick Regal kind of sales flop? The only current Buick models I see on a somewhat consistent basis are the LaCrosse and the Enclave,
There are lots of Regals in this area. I never saw it quite as a car for me after I test drove one while they were being first imported. It was like a BMW sports version in ride--it's German. AND I'm not typical. But I did like the ride from the adaptation of that car into the current Malibu. Little stiff.
The good sales of Regal here may be the relatively high number of GM retirees and supplier purchasers. But then I see a number on the freeways that don't seem to be residents of the Miami Valley which used to have some auto manufacturing.
@andre1969 said:
Personally, I don't think Buick should be peddling cars like the Verano, or Encore. But, I guess if Acura can get away with its ILX and whatever they call their version of the CRV, then Buick should be able to get a pass, too!
I told the 30-something Buick salesman in the showroom that Buick left me; I didn't leave Buick. There was nothing that really replaced the leSabre in Buick or another division's product offering. I think the Encore and Verano have been successful as luxury small vehicles. An article pointed out that the relative success of each has prompted others to look to jump into the market.
As to the Cascada coming as a 4-seat convertible... I'm not sure that will sell in great numbers to customers looking for the Buick luxury without going into the Cadillac price range. I can see many folks who had a Sebring convertible getting a Cascada, but on the other hand, is owning a convertible a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Like buying a boat?
@imidazol97 said:
I told the 30-something Buick salesman in the showroom that Buick left me; I didn't leave Buick. There was nothing that really replaced the leSabre in Buick or another division's product offering.
>
So, the Lucerne never did it for you? I kind of like them, but to me it sort of split the difference between the LeSabre and the Park Avenue. The cheapest Lucerne seemed like a nicer car than the LeSabre Custom. However, the top Lucerne, even with the V-8, just didn't seem to have quite the prestige of the Park Avenue, IMO. And despite having a longer wheelbase, a Lucerne is definitely smaller inside than a Park Avenue.
It reminds me a bit of how, in my opinion at least, the Chrysler New Yorker lost some prestige once it was put on the same wheelbase as a Newport, which was 1963. At least with Buick (and Olds), the Electra/Park Ave (and 98) were on a longer wheelbase, and larger inside, than a LeSabre or Delta 88. Even in those years, where the Newport was bigger than a LeSabre/Delta 88, and could have been viewed as a budget New Yorker, I just didn't look at it that way. Instead of elevating the Newport's status, it only seemed to downgrade the New Yorker, in my opinion.
There's currently a 2007 Lucerne V-8 for sale locally, for something like $12-13K, with only 37,000 miles on it. Leather and a sunroof. And it's a nice light sage green color that I find really attractive. I'm almost tempted to go look at it, but it's still a car that's going on 8 model years old. My Park Ave was 10 model years old when I bought it, so looking at it that way, it doesn't seem like that big of a step forward. I don't know that I'll go brand-new when it comes time to replace my Park Ave, but I want to get at least fairly new, like 1-3 years old. Or a leftover new model.
I think the latest LaCrosse is a pretty nice car, but it's just not big enough inside for my tastes. It's a comfy enough 4 seater, but has a tiny trunk, and just seems claustrophobic inside. And the styling seems chunky to me. I could see myself going for an Impala, though. Even though it's the same platform, I like the styling better. It also feels a bit roomier inside, and definitely has a bigger trunk.
So yeah, I think Buick has left buyers like you, and me, but I don't know if there are enough you's and me's left to support those kinds of cars! Funny thing is, I still see LeSabres and Park Avenues on a fairly regular basis, and often they're being driven by younger guys. In many cases, they may just be hand-me-downs from their parents or grandparents, but I think some of the guys like the pimp-factor of them. Same type of guys who would go for a Town Car or Fleetwood. And, some guys just like a bigger car.
Only problem is, most young guys can't afford a $30-40K (or more) car.
I just checked out some sales stats at Wikipedia. Looks like the Regal peaked in 2011 with about 40K sales, but only moved around 19K in 2013. The Verano sold about 45K in 2013, the LaCrosse, 49K. The Enclave came in at around 61K, for 2013, and has been trending upward ever since its introduction.
I wasn't able to find stats for the Encore, but when I googled it, I caught a headline that says demand is about 3-4x original projections. At least, as of August of last year. So apparently, it's doing well.
I still see LeSabres and Park Avenues on a fairly regular basis, and often they're being driven by younger guys. In many cases, they may just be hand-me-downs from their parents or grandparents,
I see the same thing here that lots of leSabres and PAves are driven by younger people who wanted to buy a practical, reliable car. Some are blinged a little. A few are blinged a lot, very few. But many of the ones I see are driven by people under 40 who seem very practical about buying an affordable used car rather than putting themselves into debt for something that's chic at the moment but expensive in payments and repairs in the long run.
The Encore has sold 27,700 units through July 2014. Through July 2013, 15,400 Encores had been sold. 13,500 Regals have sold so far this year about 35% more than last year.
The issue with the Regal is that it is smaller than the LaCrosse but about the same price.
Yesterday, I took an informal poll, just to see how many Buicks I could spot, and what seemed the most prevalent. And I probably drove about 40 miles yesterday, doing various errands and such. Here's what I saw...
Two of the older GM10 style 1990-96 Regal sedans. One was white, the other blue. Oddly, both were broken down on the side of the road, with flat tires!
An A-body Buick Century sedan, of mid-90's vintage. Light blue, and in nice shape. Actually, I either saw it twice, or saw two of them.
A Buick Terraza minivan.
A '92-99 style LeSabre
And a Buick Rendezvous, but that one doesn't count, because it's my neighbor's so, I see it all the time!
However, in my area (Maryland suburbs of DC), it just seems like domestic cars in general don't have that much presence anymore. So it's not just Buicks. Still, it seems a sad state of affairs for a brand that was once consistently one of the top five nameplates in the United States.
"We rate GENERAL MOTORS CO (GM) a BUY. This is driven by several positive factors, which we believe should have a greater impact than any weaknesses, and should give investors a better performance opportunity than most stocks we cover. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and growth in earnings per share."
For the 2015 model year, however, the Encore and Trax have recieved numerous improvements to the airbags, dashboard structure, and frontal reinforcements to help make the small, affordable crossovers fare better in a crash. The changes have had a substantial effect so far, with both models now earning Top Safety Pick ratings, thanks to better small front overlap test results (both have qualified for “good” evaluations).
Comments
what's new about recalls leading to more sales? pretty sure that's been a known thing in auto industry for as long as i've been shopping... but those frontline salesfolk would know best... seems to me that what GM is doing is taking things that were previously TSBs or would be TSBs (technical service bulletins, aka "secret recalls") and now by default making them full recalls, just to be sure that any error is made on the side of safety.
I guess just about anything that gets a warm body into a dealership is good. But I never thought of sending out recall notices as being a marketing tool before.
Kind of like selling medical supplies at the ER room---"say, while you're here, would you be interested in....."
Back when GM had that saddle tank fiasco, I remember my Grandmother getting a voucher in the mail, as my '85 Silverado was still in her name at the time. IIRC, it had an offer of something like $1000 off the purchase of a new GM vehicle, if we bought one within a certain timeframe, $500 off if if we missed that deadline, but after a certain cutoff it became worthless.
I don't remember if we had to trade in the old truck or not. At the time though, we just didn't think it was worth it, as the chances of the truck getting t-boned at 73+ mph and subsequently bursting into flames seemed pretty slim. Plus, we didn't play with model rockets...
Warren Buffet buys a new Cadillac XTS:
philly.com/philly/business/thestreet/TheStreet_20140716_GM_Cadillac_XTS_Lures_an_Older__Wiser_Buyer__Warren_Buffett.html
That's hilarious.
"Susie Buffett's intent was to purchase a new CTS sports sedan (for her dad). Willers convinced her to buy an XTS luxury sedan instead. GM CEO Mary Barra had recommended the XTS to Buffett.
Buffett smoothed things over in a May 21 letter to Barra. "My daughter said her dad's 'car guy friend' (that's you) said he should buy a CTS, but Madison said the XTS would be more appropriate," Buffett wrote to Barra.
"I think this reflects an evaluation on her part that from Susie's description I must be hopelessly over-the-hill (a unanimous view among my family," he said."
I'm 57 and I could see myself owning a CTS-V, but if my family or friends heard that I'd bought an XTS they would think I'd suffered a stroke or closed-head injury...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Well at least the average age of a Cadillac owner isn't 83 anymore
(it's something like 65)
I have owned Cadillacs in the past, but not at the moment. I am, however, contemplating one for my next vehicle. And I'm 63, so I suppose I would bring down the average age by an infinitesimal amount.
According to page two of that article, the average Cadillac buyer is 59.5, compared to 60.3 for Buick and 61 for Lincoln. The average new car buyer, overall, is 51.8.
So GM has done a pretty good job in getting their buyer ages down. I remember about 10-12 years ago, Buick's average age was well into the 60's. I think their most youthful vehicle at the time was the Rendezvous, with an average buyer age in the late 40's. Can't remember what the Rainier was. I remember the Regal was 57. My Dad was 57 when he bought a used '03 Regal, and I teased him that he was finally old enough to buy a Buick! I want to say the Park Ave was around 67, while the Century and LeSabre, Buick's volume sellers at the time, were 70! A lot of those Centurys and LeSabres went to fleets though, and even my Dad's Regal was an ex rental car.
I'm surprised that the average new car buyer age is that old. But, I've heard that younger people aren't buying cars like they used to. And in many cases, it's the parents buying them for the kids, so it's going to be the parent's age that gets documented. Plus, with the way the economy has been of late, I'd imagine a new car is further out of reach of many young people. So there probably aren't as many young car buyers to keep the average down.
The XTS is too small. It would make a nice car for my wife as it is pretty much the same as the LaCrosse underneath. I'm awaiting a Cadillac RWD/AWD V-8 flagship sedan. I keep hearing rumors and teaser shots of disguised cars. The latest issue of Motor Trend showed a picture of a camouflaged contender. Outside of that, I forsee having my DTS as long as I've had the Brougham.
No strike in Korea.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/28/us-gm-southkorea-idUSKBN0FX0L720140728
GM Korea reaches tentative wage deal, averting strike
(Reuters) - General Motors' South Korean unit reached a tentative wage deal with its labor union on Monday, averting a potential strike at one of its key Asian production bases.
The agreement came after GM Korea CEO Sergio Rocha earlier this month warned that potential labor unrest could lead to further production cuts for the company in South Korea.
The deal is subject to a union vote on Wednesday and Thursday.
The U.S. automaker said in December it would stop selling its Chevrolet-branded cars in Europe by the end of 2015, a move that hit output at its plant in Gunsan, South Korea, which produces most of the Chevy cars sold in Europe.
"We can't win it all. We will leave the deal to the judgment of our union members," union spokesman Jang Kyung-dae told Reuters.
The company said the two sides had reached a deal in "a smooth and peaceful way," and confirmed the new wage and bonus terms.
GM's South Korean workers earlier this month voted to go on strike over stalled wage talks.
Under the deal, GM Korea agreed to pay a combined 10.5 million won ($10,200) in bonuses and incentives to each worker and raise the basic wage by 63,000 won.
The bonuses and incentives are slightly higher than last year's, while the basic wage increase was less than last year's rise of 92,000 won. For workers with 20 years experience, the basic wage increase is about 3.3 percent, according to a union official.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Gee imagine that a raise for auto workers ( and a rather large bonus as well) seems like the Korean union has more power than the Canadian one, the workers here haven't had a raise in 9 years, and although they get a cost of living allowance at the end of the year it is no where near what the Koreans got for a bonus ( I think it is around $3000 but is taxed by the government and winds up being around $1500, still not horrible but compared to the bonus the Koreans get ( or even the UAW workers from what I have read) not much, and yet they say the Canadian plants aren't competitive, I call BS
Kind of surprised that they didn't strike. The Korean auto workers enjoy that reputation.
My 2000 Park Avenue finally hit a milestone yesterday...
And, the check engine light came on late last week. I guess the old adage rings true..."GM cars run bad longer than most cars run at all!"
I'll predict the SES light to be emissions related: gas cap o-ring seal on rough interior of the fuel opening, a purge valve that's on the engine above the valve cover next to intake manifold, or more rarely the vent valve that has to close to allow the system to perform the vacuum test to be sure there are no leaks.
Mine was a purge valve. It's in a hot area on top of engine and cycles frequently. Mine was stuck ON. Gave a slight roughness to idle at times.
I'll predict a P044X series code.
I'm sure you've replaced the spark plugs and wires with quality OEM or AC Delco wires? But that
would usuallly invoke a miss that you would have noticed under very light acceleration in 4th gear.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I'm going to hook the code reader up to it tonite, and see what it says. The car seems to be running fine. Just, one morning last week, I started it up to drive to work, and a few seconds after it started, the light came on, accompanied with a chime. I haven't noticed any difference in performance, idle, roughness, etc though.
I've had check engine lights come on in the past, where they'd go away after enough on/off cycles, I guess. One-time hiccups that trigger them, I guess. Hopefully, this ends up being something minor; as much as I like the 2014 Impala, I'm not financially ready for one right now!
I'm sure whatever is causing the light will cost less than a new Impala;)
Imidazol, you nailed it...just plugged in the code reader. P0446! I tried looking it up online, looks like it could be the evaporative canister, or a fuel pressure sensor.
Remove and test the purge valve FIRST. I got fooled by the codes thinking I had a vent valve
problem. And the book doesn't say the sensor or canister as first choices in troubleshooting.
See IM I sent you for more info and pictures.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Buick dealers have been shown this as a future 2016 Buick model built in Europe.
http://www.autoblog.com/2014/08/20/buick-opel-cascada-convertible-dealers-shown/
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I wish the Opel Astra OPC would find its way over here; I want serious horsepower and a tin top...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I wonder if, after the Catera disaster, GM would try that kind of re-badging again?
They already do- the Buick Regal is an Opel Insignia.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That's true, and they sold a whopping 18,000 of them in 2013 in the US. I think they really built the Regal for China. They were also going to use the Insignia as a basis for a new Saturn Aura, but dropped those plans for obvious reasons.
Isn't the Buick Regal kind of sales flop? The only current Buick models I see on a somewhat consistent basis are the LaCrosse and the Enclave, although there is somebody at work who has an Encore. But, with the likes of the Regal or Verano, I hardly ever see those.
Personally, I don't think Buick should be peddling cars like the Verano, or Encore. But, I guess if Acura can get away with its ILX and whatever they call their version of the CRV, then Buick should be able to get a pass, too!
There are lots of Regals in this area. I never saw it quite as a car for me after I test drove one while they were being first imported. It was like a BMW sports version in ride--it's German. AND I'm not typical. But I did like the ride from the adaptation of that car into the current Malibu. Little stiff.
The good sales of Regal here may be the relatively high number of GM retirees and supplier purchasers. But then I see a number on the freeways that don't seem to be residents of the Miami Valley which used to have some auto manufacturing.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I told the 30-something Buick salesman in the showroom that Buick left me; I didn't leave Buick. There was nothing that really replaced the leSabre in Buick or another division's product offering. I think the Encore and Verano have been successful as luxury small vehicles. An article pointed out that the relative success of each has prompted others to look to jump into the market.
As to the Cascada coming as a 4-seat convertible... I'm not sure that will sell in great numbers to customers looking for the Buick luxury without going into the Cadillac price range. I can see many folks who had a Sebring convertible getting a Cascada, but on the other hand, is owning a convertible a once-in-a-lifetime experience? Like buying a boat?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
>
So, the Lucerne never did it for you? I kind of like them, but to me it sort of split the difference between the LeSabre and the Park Avenue. The cheapest Lucerne seemed like a nicer car than the LeSabre Custom. However, the top Lucerne, even with the V-8, just didn't seem to have quite the prestige of the Park Avenue, IMO. And despite having a longer wheelbase, a Lucerne is definitely smaller inside than a Park Avenue.
It reminds me a bit of how, in my opinion at least, the Chrysler New Yorker lost some prestige once it was put on the same wheelbase as a Newport, which was 1963. At least with Buick (and Olds), the Electra/Park Ave (and 98) were on a longer wheelbase, and larger inside, than a LeSabre or Delta 88. Even in those years, where the Newport was bigger than a LeSabre/Delta 88, and could have been viewed as a budget New Yorker, I just didn't look at it that way. Instead of elevating the Newport's status, it only seemed to downgrade the New Yorker, in my opinion.
There's currently a 2007 Lucerne V-8 for sale locally, for something like $12-13K, with only 37,000 miles on it. Leather and a sunroof. And it's a nice light sage green color that I find really attractive. I'm almost tempted to go look at it, but it's still a car that's going on 8 model years old. My Park Ave was 10 model years old when I bought it, so looking at it that way, it doesn't seem like that big of a step forward. I don't know that I'll go brand-new when it comes time to replace my Park Ave, but I want to get at least fairly new, like 1-3 years old. Or a leftover new model.
I think the latest LaCrosse is a pretty nice car, but it's just not big enough inside for my tastes. It's a comfy enough 4 seater, but has a tiny trunk, and just seems claustrophobic inside. And the styling seems chunky to me. I could see myself going for an Impala, though. Even though it's the same platform, I like the styling better. It also feels a bit roomier inside, and definitely has a bigger trunk.
So yeah, I think Buick has left buyers like you, and me, but I don't know if there are enough you's and me's left to support those kinds of cars! Funny thing is, I still see LeSabres and Park Avenues on a fairly regular basis, and often they're being driven by younger guys. In many cases, they may just be hand-me-downs from their parents or grandparents, but I think some of the guys like the pimp-factor of them. Same type of guys who would go for a Town Car or Fleetwood. And, some guys just like a bigger car.
Only problem is, most young guys can't afford a $30-40K (or more) car.
So many people today want a crossover and Buick seems to really be defined by Enclave nowadays.
I just checked out some sales stats at Wikipedia. Looks like the Regal peaked in 2011 with about 40K sales, but only moved around 19K in 2013. The Verano sold about 45K in 2013, the LaCrosse, 49K. The Enclave came in at around 61K, for 2013, and has been trending upward ever since its introduction.
I wasn't able to find stats for the Encore, but when I googled it, I caught a headline that says demand is about 3-4x original projections. At least, as of August of last year. So apparently, it's doing well.
I still see LeSabres and Park Avenues on a fairly regular basis, and often they're being driven by younger guys. In many cases, they may just be hand-me-downs from their parents or grandparents,
I see the same thing here that lots of leSabres and PAves are driven by younger people who wanted to buy a practical, reliable car. Some are blinged a little. A few are blinged a lot, very few. But many of the ones I see are driven by people under 40 who seem very practical about buying an affordable used car rather than putting themselves into debt for something that's chic at the moment but expensive in payments and repairs in the long run.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The Encore has sold 27,700 units through July 2014. Through July 2013, 15,400 Encores had been sold. 13,500 Regals have sold so far this year about 35% more than last year.
The issue with the Regal is that it is smaller than the LaCrosse but about the same price.
Yesterday, I took an informal poll, just to see how many Buicks I could spot, and what seemed the most prevalent. And I probably drove about 40 miles yesterday, doing various errands and such. Here's what I saw...
Two of the older GM10 style 1990-96 Regal sedans. One was white, the other blue. Oddly, both were broken down on the side of the road, with flat tires!
An A-body Buick Century sedan, of mid-90's vintage. Light blue, and in nice shape. Actually, I either saw it twice, or saw two of them.
A Buick Terraza minivan.
A '92-99 style LeSabre
And a Buick Rendezvous, but that one doesn't count, because it's my neighbor's so, I see it all the time!
However, in my area (Maryland suburbs of DC), it just seems like domestic cars in general don't have that much presence anymore. So it's not just Buicks. Still, it seems a sad state of affairs for a brand that was once consistently one of the top five nameplates in the United States.
Some of us didn't think this would really happen:
2016 Buick Cascada Convertible Bound for U.S. Showrooms
2015 Chevrolet Malibu Earns Five-Star Safety Rating From Federal Government
http://blog.caranddriver.com/new-york-state-of-mind-cadillac-to-move-hq-to-nyc-become-standalone-business-unit/
Could they move Buick to Philly for me?
"Oh brother are you gonna leave me wastin' away
On the Streets of Philadelphia."
Sing it, Lemko! Maybe they'll come.
Here's a Factor Driving GM Stock Higher Today (thestreet.com)
http://www.wsj.com/articles/gm-posts-higher-than-expected-profit-1423053614?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTWhatsNewsCollection
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
For the 2015 model year, however, the Encore and Trax have recieved numerous improvements to the airbags, dashboard structure, and frontal reinforcements to help make the small, affordable crossovers fare better in a crash. The changes have had a substantial effect so far, with both models now earning Top Safety Pick ratings, thanks to better small front overlap test results (both have qualified for “good” evaluations).
Read more: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/02/iihs-top-safety-pick-awards-given-to-2015-buick-encore-chevrolet-trax-video/#ixzz3RRVz94jI
Click picture to play video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=wNxO1L-IR6s#t=5
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/chevrolet-bolt-production-confirmed-for-detroit.html
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Nice. Commanding, nice style.
Click on picture to play video:
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,