Agreed.

 

three words, nineteen eighty seven.
Buick is almost useless now, and as you alluded to they haven't produced a quality car in 20 years. If Buick expects to suceed they'll need to do a little more than brand their cars 'super'. GM needs to make a push in Buick design like Cadillac did or just give up now before they lose too much money.

 

Umm...I don't know what you consider a quality car but Buick has been tops in GM quality since about 98. They are consistently rated as one of the most reliable brands in the industry.

 

Wouldn't virtually all Buicks come down the same assembly line, use the same materials, and get assembled by the same people/robots as other GM cars? If so, what gives Buick the "best reliability" for GM?

Of course that answer is simple - perception, and the demographic that Buicks are typically aimed towards.

 

Actually they came down 2 lines for a while, Century/Regal from Oshawa 2 (as you know a VERY highly rated plant) and Lesabre/Park Ave from Detroit Hammtrack (also the Riviera when it was produced). Then they added the Rendevous (I don't remember where that is made), Raineer (from Ohio), Terrazza (from GA in a plant that is about to be closed).

But quality (either initial or long term) remains high. Perhaps it is that GM's engineers uses less new stuff in Buicks or that the assembly is smoother with Buicks. Don't blame it on the old farts, I mean demographics.

 

Did Oshawa 2 produce any other car? How about Detroit Hammtrack?

Bob

 

Both sure did, Oshawa 2 produced the Grand Prix sedan and coupe and Hammtrack made the Olds Aurora, and maybe some of the Caddy FWD sedans and Eldorado (not sure). But options and trim lines were more consistant on the Buicks and that likely lead to the better quality ratings.

 

In my own experience, owning 2 Buicks right now, they're designed a little better; from reinforced door pulls to interior materials to fit and finish.
Assembly is only as good as the design of the parts allow; and how well thought out the order of assembly is, plays a big part in fit & finish.

 

The Aurora was assembled at Orion assembly not Hammtramk(sp?).

 

I'd STILL never buy one of them...they are 4 doors and look like a granny mobile...they might as well stop selling Buicks all 2gether

 

Not every car appeals to every buyer of every age, background etc...that's why they make so many different models.
Obviously Buick is not for you, but it doesn't mean they're not a quality automobile and popular to those who buy Buicks.
And since I see a lot of white haired people behind the wheel of Camaro's and Firebirds today, am I to assume Camaro's are "granny mobile's" too?

 

Oh, and this one..

 

The new Buicks are starting to turn the curve in terms of getting younger buyers and consideration. The Supers will help even more, but there's more in store that will make it a more aspirational brand in the future, for both traditional and new customers.

 

Good point, but stale designs no matter how well crafted will eventually lead to low sales. Hence the new era of automobile design we're lucky enough to be a part of. Automanufacturers finally realized design and quality is what sells cars and long term customers are needed to thrive. I feel Buick may have the quality but the design is dated.

True, but I honestly cannot tell the difference between a 1998 Buick and a 2007 Buick. And I honeslty just pulled up a picture of both from google to compare before I wrote this. Yes, we all have different taste, but the Buick hasn't been redesigned since the Geico cavemen got their first driver's licenses. I think Buick could actually appeal to the same group is does now plus a whole new group if they just tried. Cadillac, Lincoln, Jaquar, Chrystler, Maercury, and Buick have a lot in common. A few of them are starting to separate themselves with 'new' designs, not necessarily designs I like, but at least they are trying something new.

And Turbo GP, I hope you're right! The Enclave I think is a good example of blending the old style with a little modern flair.

 

Stale designs and creating cars that are back of the pack upon launch is no way to gain customers. Enclave is a great example of what Buick SHOULD be doing, making a great looking vehicle to compete with the best thats out there.
Who would buy a LaX over a ES350?
Lucerne over anything?
These cars are just revamps of old Buick's, just to make sure that the base customers are taken care of. Nothing, not even a 300hp V8, will make me want a Lax.