Every brand doesn't have to appeal to every person. Tell me why Buick has to have something kids see as "cool" when they're trying to sell to the successful retiring baby-boomers? Pontiac will have turbo Ecotecs coming, including what will probably be a pretty darn quick Solstice GXP model. For Buick to succeed it needs a strong mission statement and an obvious target audience. That's where Olds failed...it was the brand that had no specific purpose. Pontiac and even Chevy will have the youth market covered with exciting products.

 

Exactly, no 20 year old looks at a Lexus ES300 and says "man, I want one of thoes."
They need to mean luxury though. When you see a Lexus, you think luxury and that person must have some money.
When you see a Buick, you think.."oh god, I better get out of that old ladies way before she hits me."
THAT is the image they need to change.

 

Buick needs something cool, because all the people that are into buying "un-cool" car are dieing off fast. Building "un-cool" cars won't help Buick get away from Big Als Z .."oh god, I better get out of that old ladies way before she hits me." image of Buick. A new affordable (GTO priced) Grand National with a Turbo DOHC V6 would attract a number of groups that Buick needs. The nostalgic baby boomers and 40ys+ that remember the GN, the "I want performance but not from a pushrod engine" group, and those who dismiss Buick as for old people will now see a car that maybe someday they could see them selves driving.

 

You guys are dreaming.

"Buick" will never be cool again.

Even though these next-gen Buicks might end up being great cars they wont meet sales goals.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pontiac and Buick dealers are the ones blocking the return of the Camaro name. Maybe they know that a new less-expensive and more popular-named "Camaro" would trump the more expensive next-Gen GTO and Buick coupe.

 

I think that I posted this about 6 months ago.

Remember the Velite's TT 3.6 V6? People are throwing the name Grand National around.

 

GM marketing seems to be dying to recycle popular names, GN and TT 3.6L would make a great match for each other, lets hope they are smart enough to figure that one out.

 

Why does "cool" for Buick have to equal a stupidly-fast muscle car? For the demographic they are aiming for, cool could just be great styling with a healthy motor and gorgeous interior appointments. Many people view the V6 300's to be "cool" and they're slow as molasses.

And what is this constant "affordably priced" talk? Affordable for whom? So a 21 year old kid can walk into a Buick dealer and pick up his own brand new GN??? Let Buick and Cadillac have the upper crust of society, "affordable" cars only cheapen the brand image GM is trying to cultivate for these two. Again, if the youth want quick, affordable cars there are thousands of Chevy and Pontiac dealers itching to get that type of product on their floors.

 

Good post Mark

I dont belive that the GN was that inexpensive that a 21 year old could buy one. I think that the cars should carry a cool factor without going with 400 turbos. But, a strong power plant could drive the spin behind it. Look at the 300. Everyone I talk to thinks that ever 300 has a Hemi.