I would love to see the Park Avenue here, but I think the large sedan market in the U.S. is dead. The Enclave is Buick's flagship. People who need the space prefer crossovers to large sedans.

I still hope we will see a Zeta based DTS replacement, but I think in the long run that will be GM's only big sedan, if it is even produced. With higher CAFE and the larger Malibu, probably to get even larger with Epsilon II, I question the need for a new Impala.

 

Except Buick has traditionally sold "slightly more expensive Chevys" not "cheaper Cadillacs". The base price difference between Buick and Chevy has historically been no more than a grand or two.

Buick needs to go up-market, but I don't believe they can realistically take on Lexus at their price points. The LaCrosse at maybe $30K and Regal at $25K would be more realistic. These products are not "small" or "downmarket" compared to what Buick was selling 10-20 years ago.

Plus, Buick faces enormous marketing problems in this space -- and GM doesn't have the money to get the word out.

Also, I agree what ehaase said about the large sedan market completely. While a Park Avenue would be nice, GM/Buick has much more pressing needs. Buick really needs a RX-class CUV much more than they need a big sedan.

 

Wow that's a pretty nice looking car and good interior!

I wonder if Buick is realizing they need to do something different since most of their core buying group is practically retired.

 

I like it. You can see it's Opel/Aura and Malibu roots in the roofline but it's nicely done.

Even if Buick gets a free pass as a brand because of its Chinese sales it will still need to pull it's weight in NA. This car could help do that if they get the info out there about it.

 

Buick already has a nice CUV, which should also take the place of a very large sedan.

That car is the Opel Insignia badged as a Buick for China. The Insignia was voted European Car of the Year 2009. It is upmarket from the Malibu, Aura, Accord, Camry, etc.. Good entry level car for Buick, they need something that can get well over 30mpg. Remember gas will probably go back up as quick as it came down. GM and Buick dealers don't want to be caught with lots full of gas guzzling land yachts when the $5 gas hits.

 

The Enclave is much bigger than the RX -- IMO Buick has room for both, and the sweetspot of the CUV market is still on the smaller side.

 

 

Practically retired? Most of their core buying group is practically deceased!

Selling Buicks to nearly retired people would result in a welcome reduction of about 8-10 years in the average age of Buick buyers.

 

Good looking car there!