Buick Century.
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The Buick Century was the affordable Buick sedan for decades. Of course, Buick isn’t selling any sedans in the US these days. But they still are in China where even at least one EV sedan is planned.
While the Buick Century was born in 1936, the ones many of us remember were the more modern ones. Produced from 1973 to 2005.
Until the 6th and last generation, which came out in 1997, the Century was available as a sedan, a coupe, and a wagon. By that time the Century was just a less expensive version of the Buick Regal sedan. With a smaller and less powerful engine.
Sale numbers went down fast in the early 2000’s. It was still a popular model in 2002 with over 163,000 of them sold that year. That went downhill quickly with only 6500 in 2005. I guess the old man Buick image and the rise of the SUV are both to blame.
Buick showed a nice-looking sedan concept and a wagon a few months ago. Both are based on GM’s Ultium platform. Something like this over here could compete against the Ioniq 6 and maybe the Tesla Model 3. The illustration above shows a simpler design than the EV concept. Maybe not as futuristic but also maybe a bit more familiar.
Either way, it seems that if there is a sedan in Buick’s future it will probably be for the Chinese market. As they still don’t offer any EVs in North America. And at least 3 in China.
It’s getting increasingly difficult to see any market justification for Buick. GM’s sales in China, where Buick used to be popular, are imploding despite their tie-up with SAIC. Buick is no longer seen as aspirational in China and just as an “old man’s car” in North America.
Too many years of showcars that led nowhere, lackluster build quality, and management unsure of what to do have led to a dead end for the brand.
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Looking at this Buick, I see where I think Acura should go. Enough of their clownish design inspiration from that design hack director – Dave Marek. Where the TLX should go is to become a luxury car with sporty driving feel and a more simple design. Imagine the tail lights and rear like this but inspired by the Gen2 Integra (two simple and thicker different colored bars running across the back but not connected at the center), and simpler lines. Use their sport hybrid tech. That would be a car I’d buy.
Buick has a bright future! It’s sales are up in the US, it’s the only American brand that is ranked more reliable than Toyota, and as shown by GM Design there are some beautiful designs in the way.
Buick makes no sense in the U.S. except to pad out the GMC lineup at the shared dealerships. With the exception of the Envision as the only original vehicle in the lineup, all they sell are the Trailblazer, Trax, and Traverse with a little extra chrome. Chevys come well equipped these days, so I just don’t get it. We just get to keep it because it’s popular in China.
They really do need a mid-size electric sedan NOW which is something that doesn’t exist in other GM brands and that people still want as the only other sedans are the CT4, CT5, and the soon to be discontinued Malibu.