2012 Compact Buick
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As you can see here, the US version of the new small Buick sedan (top) will be quite a bit different from the Chinese version that just came out.
The bumper, headlights, hood and even the grille are not the same. The whole front end seems new.
So far, the Lacrosse and the Regal look great. Let’s hope this continues …
I think we had enough of Buick for this week. 🙂
Why not Buick? The latest Honda to be seen is a such ugly car, let Buick show you something nice to look at instead 🙂
Looks like a Buick Corolla!!
Stuff it full of over priced crap and watch it fail like Saturn. Again.
i think the US version is going to look really nice. the Chinese one looked nice until i saw the US one. the Chinese market Excelle looks much more badge-engineered, less uniquely styled. i really like the way Buick has developed it's signature grille, with the angled (chamfered?) top surface. the headlights look much more substantial too. i'd say the whole front end of the USDM car looks heavier and more contemporary. could Buick really be on a roll? let's hope so.
Aren't they just Malibu headlights?
I think this car will do really well when it goes on sale. Premium compacts are starting to come into their own and if the other Buicks' interiors are anything to go by, Buick may have this car at just the right time!
Thankfully, the rear doesn't look anything like that chop Vince posted a few days ago.
I thought that badge engineering was dead with the new GM?
Rebadged Cruze is DOA.
"pneus said…
Why not Buick? The latest Honda to be seen is a such ugly car, let Buick show you something nice to look at instead 🙂
December 7, 2009 8:40 PM"
Regardless, that Honda will be a better car and sell in much higher volumes.
Buick: just don't call it "Excelle". Please.
artandcolour:
Agree US version much more nicely detailed.
anonymous:
Will not fail like Saturn, Buick has historically been an upscale brand that people will pay more $$$'s for. Saturn was budget brand they tried to take upscale.
I thought that badge engineering was dead with the new GM?
Yes too much rebadging is 1 way to kill a company.
This is beyond badge engineering people…They actually went through the effort to DIFFERENTIATE this from the Cruze. Just stop it already.
"Fusion Sport said…
This is beyond badge engineering people…They actually went through the effort to DIFFERENTIATE this from the Cruze. Just stop it already.
December 8, 2009 12:00 PM"
They did?
I certainly don't see it. Same IP and same exterior panels.
Nope. I don't see it and anyone else with eyes can see the difference either.
Let me guess, you didn't think the Cimmaron looked like a Cavalier either.
"I thought that badge engineering was dead with the new GM? Yes too much rebadging is 1 way to kill a company."
Do you know what badge engineering is? A Cimmaron and Cavalier were badge engineered cars. A Lexus ES and a Camry are too. A 4-runner and Lexus GX are badge engineered because they take a cheap car and change the plastics and put an expensive logo on it to fool buyers. This car is a Buick in China and it's going to be a Buick here. It is otherwise unavailable to us as any other GM car. Since this is originating in China, many tweaks have to happen to be in compliance with crash standards, lighting standards and general design aesthetic of this market.
Badge engineering is when you take a Camry hardtop and label it
"Lexus ES" for the US & "Camry Hardtop" elsewhere.
Or when you rebadge a Land Cruser as a Lexus 450.
Or when you mildly restyle every car in the lineup (like Honda does); add GM-OnStar, wrap each nose in shiney sheetmetal; and call each one an Acura.
I think if GM wants to start badge-engineering again, they should talk to Toyota & Honda first — since those guys seen to be doing more of it each year!