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US Small Buick sedan

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The US will get its own version of the Chinese Excelle.
Which is basically an Open Astra with a Buick grille.
A recipe that seems to be working with the new Regal (an Insignia with an Opel grille)
The Excelle is so far only a hatchback, in China.

The US market is scheduled to get the sedan version pictured here.
No word on a date yet. But I bet it won’t be that long after the new Regal.
It will most likely be powered by a 1.6 Liter Turbo .

Not sure if the US is really ready for such a small Buick. GM seems to think so…

Conversation 22 comments

  1. Just returned from the San Francisco Auto Show. It's a crappy show because there are no new car introductions which are done in L.A., N.Y. Detroit, or Chicago. I guess we're more of a walking city than a car city (I walked over 3 miles today and didn't drive at all).

    The Buick LaCrosse is OK, but certainly no star. I'd take the current Honda Accord over that and most other Sedans on display there.

    Best station wagon is the new Cadillac SRX which is really a station wagon more than an SUV. A friend of mine has a 2004 SRX which drives well, but has been a troublesome POS–he wouldn't buy another Cadillac.

    Not much that's exciting in the world of autos these days.

  2. Call it Skylark or Skyhawk, and it's a go!

    Do not call it Excelle here, however, because that's associated with the very crummy Hyundai Excel.

  7. GM apparently forgot what the Cimmeron was.

    This isn't a good idea, but I would expect nothing less from GM.

  8. yes. the US is ready for a Buick this size. they will sell many more of them than Saturn moved Astras. It will have a really good interior, and will post great MPG. will it 'save' Buick or GM on it's own? of course not, but it's a piece of the puzzle. Incremental changes will add up to an entirely new GM in a few years, with highly competitive cars at good prices with great economy. everyone online complains that Buicks are old people cars, yet when they consider a car this size, the same online community bitches it's too small for a Buick. can't have it both ways. Buick needs to sell more cars, smaller cars are where it's at these days.

  9. Hey Vince,

    If you take a closer look to the Excelle spy shots, you'll notice that despite it shares it's platform and the interior with our Astra, it get a whole new exterior design (which is silly since the hatchback remains the same and it's a lot more beautiful, but they will do it).

  11. I think that it's good that Buick is becoming the brand it needs to be… not a brand that everyone expects them to be. In a way, Buick has been the rebel of GM. The GNX and the Reatta for example. I'm having a hard time with the idea of a small sporty Buick, but it's that curiosity that will get me in the showroom. Kudos for Buick for breaking out of their comfort zone of geriatrics.

  12. I like this car all the way up to the c-pillar then the fuglyness sets in, might as well be a hatch seeing it looks like one !

  14. "stuffghettopeoplelike said…
    Call it Skylark or Skyhawk, and it's a go!

    Do not call it Excelle here, however, because that's associated with the very crummy Hyundai Excel.

    November 30, 2009 11:24 PM"

    And the Skylark and Skyhawk aren't?!?!

    Are you KIDDING?

    Do you have any idea what a J-Body is????????

  15. Would you rather call it an Apollo? Skylark and Skyhawk are names that have taken a fairly long break. Neither have been heard from this decade (hell, we haven't seen a Skyhawk since '87). All ya have to do is package it as a performer.

    As far as J-cars, Skylark never was one, and Skyhawk doesn't have the J-car legacy tag that Cavalier, Sunfire, and Cimarron have. The average buyer of today wouldn't even know what generation to associate the Skyhawk name with. That's the simple truth.

  19. "The Buick LaCrosse is OK, but certainly no star. I'd take the current Honda Accord over that and most other Sedans on display there"

    I've never been a fan of Honda or Buick. I also attended the SF Auto Show on Monday 11/30.
    Compared visually and tactually to Accord, LaCrosse is a SHINING STAR. Lexus ES looks/feels weak next to LaCrosse, even Lexus GS aesthetically is slightly downscale compared to this car. LaCrosse appears to be Lexus grade luxury for Honda money. If LaCrosse is built right it deserves to be a hit.

  20. "GM apparently forgot what the Cimmeron was. "

    Do you know what the Cimmeron was? It was a Cavalier with a Caddy badge. Both were offered for sale in the US at the same time and no one except Cadillac was fooled. How is this at all the same?

    If it's a good car, it will sell. Don't attempt to get nostalgic by calling it a Skylark or ANY other cheezball name that Buick has used in the past. It's time for new thinking Buick, new customers and new cars.

  21. "The Buick LaCrosse is OK, but certainly no star. I'd take the current Honda Accord over that and most other Sedans on display there."

    How can you be serious? The only reason that the Accord sells at all is from latent goodwill that previous generations created. The current Accord is the pimply fat chick whose mother is a MILF. Unless I'm reading different reviews than everyone else, I believe that most people are questioning Hondas bizarre styling direction, cluttered dash layout and less nimble handling. The Lacrosse styling is much cleaner and smarter looking and Buicks latest reviews have been overwhelmingly positive. If Buick can maintain their quality ratings, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to even look at a Honda.

  22. "a suppository on Toyota Prius wheels."
    And for $5000 more you can get a REAL suppository on Prius wheels– it's called a PRIUS!

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