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Comments
There are sights that give more details. These are luxury premium cars for the Asian market....who seem to really like the Buick nameplate! Start at $30,000 and go to mid $40's.
Nice to have The Rock back!
Check out for more details:
link title
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
I agree, 1986 is when GM jumped the shark. Taurus was a big leap forward and the Asian cars started coming on strong.
It would be interesting to think about how poor the quality of North American cars would be without the competition from Japan!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Only that it looks so much better than the North American version!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
link title
Try Google for more, try "Buick Lacrosse asia" or a few others. This is not an econo car though..$29,000 to $40,000+
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
No one said there was anything special about it. The point of the post was why can't we get the "better" IMO styled LaCrosse. I agree what as much trouble GM is in you'd think they'd at least test that style at an auto show and how the public is resonding to it.
-Buick's brand is weak in the US, but strong in China. The Chinese royal families drove Buicks prior to the rise of Mao and the communist regime, and the Chinese see American brands as status symbols that they have arrived. You could afford to kill the Buick brand in the US, but in China, it projects a strong image and gives GM an advantage.
-Cars like this are sold as executive cars, not so much as drivers' or family cars. The cars are geared toward creature comforts for the rear passengers (smooth ride, luxury appointments), not to compete with sportier German alternatives.
-Just a guess here, but I would think that longstanding antipathy for and rivalry with the Japanese (there is a long and nasty history between China and Japan) would create a disadvantage for some Japanese products. China is probably one of the few markets where GM would have a better brand image over a Japanese rival.
So I doubt that these cars are necessarily going to work here, because the markets are different. For example, Buick minivans are sold as luxo-executive cruisers with individual video screens, leather interiors, etc., not so much for soccer moms, so the packaging and requirements are different. For these, too, the marketing is geared toward being a passenger, not a driver.
Maybe so, it can happen..even with the most expensive cars.
I don't think North Americans can afford them either. You can buy 2 Azeras or 2 Magenti (plural for Magentis) with that...and almost the same equipment.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
maybe compare it to the Lucerne
or to the CTS
LaCrosse value at a Lucerne/CTS price!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
China Buick also has a version of the departed US Regal, however.
We certainly agree there. Since posting this, I calculated my overall fuel economy, which reveals another disadvantage: the lack of a fifth gear for the automatic, which I will guess created a real-world loss of MPG of about 1-2 mpg. I got about 30 mpg for mostly highway driving, versus the EPA 34 mpg rating, albeit I gave the car a workout that the EPA does not provide in its testing. (Believe it or not, the EPA highway MPG figure is based upon a 10-mile simulated trip on a dynamometer test at an average speed of 48 mph!) For an economy car, that's not exactly horrible, but neither is it optimal when some Corollas and Civics are EPA rated at 38-40 mpg.
Right on! Beee-you-eeks are a big American status symbol in China. This car is for the really wealthy, even in China. It looks so much like a Hyundai or Kia that they should just use the styling and make a car that can compete at least on looks with those two. Somehow, the Asian version of the LaCrosse looks better than the American version - they got the right styling cues from the original, and since it is smaller it doesn't come out looking like an overbloated Jaguar. More like an overbloated Azurus.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Agree on the Hyundais. They are coming like gang-busters, just busting the segments wide-opened with well-equipped cars that are decently priced, with a great warranty to boot. They are like the sleeping giant and waking up to wreck shop. The Tibby is still on my "if I was looking for a smart runabout" list, along with the Scion Tc.
Yes, remember all those - loved the last-gen 300Z. The Mark VIII, had a buddy that had one. But really loved the Mark VII LSC, talk about a sleeper. Basically a luxo-Mustang. But when the electronic air suspension went on those, mucho dinero to fix :surprise:
I just think GM really is benchmarking previous-gen competitors. As Socal and others have stated on this and other boards, GM can't come out with products that just merely compete, they need to have products that surpass the competition and have options/features on cars that make sense. An example: the Maxx had a t-top like sunroof over the rear seats. This would be ok I guess if you were actually able to see through the roofs (they were tinted so much I swear they must've been painted black), if they were able to open or maybe if there was one over the front passenger area. :confuse:
Maybe it had a rudimentry DoD (dead on delivery) and dropped off 2 cylinders under ALL conditions.
Honda Accord V6:
US: $29,211 (including 7% sales tax)
Taiwan: $32,697 (including sales tax)
Difference: 89%
Toyota Camry V6:
US: $29,446 (including 7% sales tax)
Taiwan: $33,909 (including sales tax)
Difference: 87%
Honda Civic EX:
US: $19,752 (including 7% sales tax)
Taiwan: $21,182 (including sales tax)
Difference: 93%
Toyota Corolla:
US: $19,131 (including 7% sales tax)
Taiwan: $21,485 (including sales tax)
Difference: 89%
BTW, all the above models are being assembled locally, as well as the Asian LaCrosse.
By looking at the treand we can see that the US auto prices are about 10% less than the prices in Asian. To be precise let's take the average of the 4 differences and that gives us: 89.5%.
So given that let's assume the Asian LaCrosse's local MSRP is about 35,000 USD (let's not including that backseat entertainment system). 89.5% of the 35,000 USD gives us 31,325 USD (this number includes the 7% sales tax). So without the sales tax the MSRP of the Asian LaCrosse here in the NA market should come up to be: 29,133 USD.
Give that the US version LaCrosse CXS is listed at 27,990 I'll say the Asian LaCrosse should do pretty well if GM decides to market them here in NA.
By pricing it around 28,500 USD I'll say this is a pretty good Lexus ES fighter :shades:
That is a base model and we have no idea how it compares to Lexus mechanically or for reliability and performance.
At $28,500 I would still put my money on the Lexus or 3 Series and wait to see if it is more than just a pretty face.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Check this out to compare;
link title
They are two very different cars and the Asian version seems to be pretty advanced compared to the North American version, and it seems to have the right stuff for today's driving needs. Without that grill we wouldn't know it is a Buick at all. You are probably right though, you are dreaming if you think GM is planning on bringing this "LaCrosse (in name only) here....that would be too sensible.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Does anyone know how many units Honda and Toyota are selling in China? I'm curious if there is market prejudice against the Japanese brands.
Do they buy Japanese cars in Korea? (and vice versa)
so how do the current car buyers in China have any Buick-envy????
-loren
Might give some idea, GM (11%)is strong in China and Toyota (3.5%)is trying to catch up;
Toyota Motor Corp., a relative latecomer to China, has a paltry 3.5 percent of the market, with 179,000 vehicles sold last year.
That puts it well behind top foreign automaker General Motors Corp., which captured 11 percent of the market last year with 665,390 units sold, and Volkswagen AG of Germany, the No. 2 foreign maker.
For more info go to:
link title
This could be a major reason GM doesn't care about the North American Market. If 700 out of every 1,000 Americans have a car and only 20 Chinese people for every 1,000 has a car...there is way more potential to sell cars there, and GM is the leader there just like they were here. For now, the Chinese probably prefer American cars.
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
With Solstice's smoking up the track and Corvettes popping off roofs......it is going to be hard to catch up to the General!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
The Corvette has a record for taking quality care of their customers and for providing a quality car with great reliability and customer satisfaction.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
They have been on top of ( a joke right) this and all customers will be taken care of at no charge to the customer. No one has been injured as a result and no other cars have been damaged by the errant roofs
Of course they will fix them, before there are any lawsuits. No one has been injured as a result......it's bad enough with all the idiots driving on the road, now I have to dodge flying roofs!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
Everyone realizes the growth potential of China, India and other developing regions are much more than US, W Europe and Japan. But come on, every carmaker in the world, German or Japanese, think enough of US market to bring their best stuff here! US is still by far where GM sells the most cars, makes no sense to lose a bundle here, and hope to cover it in Asia.
I read Buick was having success in China. I was doubting the Chinese taste in cars... China is where GM and Ford are making the biggest profits, but sadly not nearly enough to make up for their NA losses.
Well, Asian LC isn't the first case where US automaker refuses to offer for sale in their home country the best they have. Ford sells G1 Focus here, and G2 Focus everywhere else. Opels forever are much more attractive than Chevys and Pontiacs. Now GM sees fit to offer them here as premium Saturns.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
It's very good that Corvette is handling the fix for the roof problem. They have been on top of this and all customers will be taken care of at no charge to the customer. No one has been injured as a result and no other cars have been damaged by the errant roofs.
The Corvette has a record for taking quality care of their customers and for providing a quality car with great reliability and customer satisfaction.
Actally this would be a good press release from GM. And then we would say "of course you're going to fix it, why in the ______ should I pay for it?"
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
This is true! If you are in England, Ford, GM, Toyota, etc. all have great looking cars that we don't see here.
The cars are more practical (at $8 a gallon you have to be) and the Euro influence helps the styling. You would not see a North American LaCrosse on their streets!
Speaking of the LaCrosse, and the Asian version, I just read a review in the newspaper on the new Magentis. Rave reviews and it looks as good as the Asian Buick all for about $20,000! Loaded with a 6 and leather for under $24,000!
2017 MB E400 , 2015 MB GLK350, 2014 MB C250
If GM just doesn't water down the Opel's I would be interested. Some how when American management gets their hands on a product from Europe they seem to change it somehow to make it more "American". That turns me off. I subscribe to a few European auto magazines. When I show photos of cars to my buddies here they are all amazed that we do not get the cars.
Lutz is the same guy who removed standard ABS from GM's passenger cars, and removed standard side airbags from their SUVs. Now, we get the story that ABS will (once again) be standard, along with stability control, on all of GM's cars by 2010. No word on the airbags, but new side impact legislation will effectively require curtains (but not thorax bags) in the near future. In the interim, Stabilitrak is only offered on the highest trim levels where it's offered at all. And, the corollary to that promise was that all of their vans and SUVs would have standard Stabilitrak by 2007. Yet, in 2007, the Vue and Vibe still don't have it standard, and it's not even available on the Vue. Flip. Flop.
Lutz should run for office. He's able to blow smoke and flip-flop with the best of them!
Just kidding. :shades:
I believe Chairman Mao had a big ol' Buick he was driven around in. It seems to connote royalty to this day. I hear the Chinese owning a Buick is like you and me with an S-600 or something.....
Uh...no.
The Mercedes and BMW (even Audi) are still more prestigeous than Buick to the eyes of a Chinese even though most of the BMW and Audi's on the street there are locally assembled. The reasons Buick does well in China is because
(1) Buick is a well established brand (that was also the case here in the states until GM managed to mess it up in the last decade or so). For example, most cars on the streets of China back in the 20's and 30's are American, and Buick is the most prestigeous American brand back then.
(2) American cars are a rare breed in China (or Asia in general).
(3) People over there don't hear many horror stories about how unreliable and how cheap the quality it is about the American cars (I know they are improving but that was the case back in the 80's and 90's).
(4) American cars are actually not that bad over there in China or Asia (see the Asian LaCrosse).
(5) Less Competition from the Japanese manufactures - The reality is: Most Chinese hates Japanese, and the way to get back from them is not buying their products. Although Toyota and Honda are selling their cars like hot cakes all over the world China is one market they are having trouble to gain market share. This not-buying-Japanese mentality of the Chinese consumers helps Buick to boost sales in a great deal.
I should bring back Packard and sell it there.
Speaking of these old cars...what happened to them? I know many prewar cars survived the horrors of postwar Russia...what about the cars left in China when the commies took over? Seeing how the Chinese used and somewhat preserved so many western edifices in Shanghai, I have to wonder if cars met the same fate. Hmm that might make an interesting vacation.
I have an old photo of a street in Shanghai with a Chrysler Airflow driving down it...I've seen a similar pic in England with a Lincoln Zephyr on the road. Amazing how things evolve...at that time, highline US cars were the equivalent of S600s (or higher), and the big Germans were mainly just curiosities.
Caddy has some presence in China
http://www.gmchina.com/products/cadillac/Chinese/home.htm
http://www.cadillac.cn/
So maybe there's some hope. I think it's very interesting how these brands still carry so much clout somewhere.
That Asian LaCrosse has an interior quality that seems on par with Lexus. There's no Caddilac on sale in NA with an interior anywhere near it. Sorry, GM, but there's no excuse whatsoever for it!
Reading CAR is sometimes a double edged sword...it should be renamed "Cool Stuff You Idiotic North Americans Will Never See"
Wish I could agree. But the Anesthesiologist who lives across from me would disagree - since he had to sue GM to take his Yellow Vette back under the Lemon Law......
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Funny, I have two Fords and a Lexus, and had never noticed that transmission hesitation - until this past week, when I drove myself into a little bind, and needed to get the hell out of there FAST. Put the pedal down muy rapido (that's fast to those of you in Rio Linda) and sat there while my trusty Lex gave due consideration to what I was requesting, before kicking in a very calm, reserved, and damn near fatal manner..... And I'm having plenty of time, while my life if passing before my eyes, to wonder what the heck is going on! BARELY escaped unscathed....
Now, Car & Driver would report this as, "The Lexus is
SO INTELLIGENT, it knew exactly how much time the driver had before collision, and, to conserve precious fuel, applied exactly the needed acceleration to avoid the accident." Of course, a Mustang would have just burned the rubber off the rear wheels and I would have shot out of there in a cloud of blue smoke..... How wasteful.
If I were to diagnose this problem though, honestly, I wouldn't blame the transmission - It felt a lot more like the drive by wire reostat was overwhelmed with my jerkfire command on the gas pedal, and gradually complied with it, as if it didn't really believe I wanted (or needed) full throttle....
Either way - it was a RUSH, I'll tell ya......