- A new compact Buick sedan will be marketed next year in the U.S., reportedly as the 2012 Buick Verano.
- The China version was just unveiled in Shanghai as the Buick Excelle GT.
- Excelle GT is based on the GM Delta II platform that underpins the Opel Astra and the Chevrolet Cruze.
SHANGHAI, China — Shanghai General Motors has released a four-door companion to the Buick Excelle XT hatchback that went on sale earlier this year in China. It will be called the Buick Excelle GT. A version of the compact sedan will be marketed next year in the U.S., reportedly as the 2012 Buick Verano.
The new Excelle GT, which goes on sale June 23 in China, shares many styling cues with the larger LaCrosse and is based on the GM Delta II platform that underpins the Opel Astra and the Chevrolet Cruze.
Engine choices in the Chinese market will include a 138-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder and a 181-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder.
In the U.S., Buick already has shown dealers versions of the small sedan, which has been described in some reports as a "baby LaCrosse." Dealers also have said Buick plans to add a small crossover in 2012, which may be marketed as the Buick Encore.
Inside Line says: Now all Buick has to do is figure out how to bring the average age of its U.S. buyers — now around 65 years old — closer to the average age of its Chinese buyers — around 28 years old. This one could help. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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ponypowergt says:
05:57 PM, 05/20/2011
How many times does GM need to do this to figure out nobody wants a Buickized Opel.
If you want to attract younger buyers just bring the OPEL over intact. Dont restyle it by committee, don't "brand" it, just do the minimum it takes to federalize it (if anything) and be done. Duh!
GM was stupid to keep Buick in the US... if Buick is hot in China, then sell it in China. They should have kept Saturn here. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
adaval says:
01:39 PM, 01/03/2011
Ok it's January 3, 2011 I just read that the Buick Crossover SUV Encore will NOT be out until 2013. Is this true? I sure hope it does not take that long to produce this Encore that you have been dangling in front of our nose since 2010. If it takes two more years it better be the best Buick ever made. Not some skimpy off the cuff, same as the Chev Equinox. It I wanted that SUV I would purchase it. I want a BUICK, that rides like a Buick, looks like a Buick and sounds like a Buick. I will say it again don't lower the standards of a Buick by making this new SUV so NARROW that it's like all the rest of the SUV's. Please keep the width of a quality vehicle that Buick has always been. The Buick Rend was the best small SUV ever made, you still had the width of a quality SUV. Don't feel you are stuffed in a tin can. Not all of us want to carry 8 people there fore we do not want/need the length of the Enclave, but still want the quality of the Enclave just a shorter version, not narrower and cut down on an SUV that makes a statement like Buick has come to be known as. Can you give us new with a date of 2011 information on this SUV.
Thanks. . .
tinyb586 says:
06:14 PM, 10/05/2010
It looks good to me. I'd like to have a more upscale smaller car.
dhectorg says:
10:29 AM, 06/26/2010
@jimmyskyline... I think you need to wake up my friend. EVERY major car company in the world is implementing multiple application platforms and they'd be stupid not to. It a good way to provide some variety to consumers on the cheap. Toyota does it with Lexus, Honda does it with Acura, Hyundai does it with Kia, Nissan and Infiniti, etc etc etc. The J car is hardly comparable to what car companies are doing today. Every J car looked exactly the same, not to mention they were some of the crappiest cars ever built. This is simply not the case at GM today. Brand sharing is now the industry norm. GM has committed unforgivable crimes in the past, but they are finally building some good quality fuel efficient cars. Stop bashing and give them the credit they have earned!
dfschim says:
12:45 AM, 06/19/2010
If they want to bring down the age of their average buyer they should bring over the hatchback, and put the Cobalt SS engine in it.
cargeek5 says:
11:01 AM, 06/11/2010
Im liking the baby Buick look about this car. It resembles its siblilings but in a smaller more compact size. i agree with thebone, the engines for the u.s. havent been decided on so just give them a minute. Also i think platform sharing is smart because it cuts cost but yes i think GM overkills some platforms. Yet as long as the body and styling is different in the different brands (Chevy, Buick, Caddy etc.) i could care less what platform its on.
darthbimmer says:
04:40 PM, 06/08/2010
I agree with tbone85. Family resemblence is a good thing. I'm not a huge fan of the front end, but at least it's better (distinctive and more expressive) than most of the anon-econoboxes out there.
jimmyskyline says:
04:31 PM, 06/08/2010
Yet again...GM is diluting its platforms. They're using the Chevy Cruze's architecture for Buick. I guess since Pontiac isn't around anymore, they couldn't give them a version.....sounds like the GM J platform from the 1980's all over again. I think every GM make with the exception of GMC had their own version of the J platform. Wake up GM!
tbone85 says:
02:28 PM, 06/08/2010
The front end in particular needs to look more expressive.
I have no problem telling the difference between the Regal and the LaCrosse. I think they look as much alike as the BMW 3 and 5 series. There is also nothing to indicate which engines would be used in the U.S., so that criticism seems a bit premature.
uncanny_man says:
10:28 AM, 06/08/2010
Pleasant looking but bland. By the time I'm out of school, I may be interested in a sport version though.