GM is hard at work on fixing Buick's portfolio. It was just announced that the Regal name is going to return on Buick's next mid-size sport sedan. The announcement was made at the Buick GMC dealer business meeting.
"The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan," said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. "We're thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family."
The Regal name hasn't been used on a Buick model in six years, but it continues to be one of the top nameplates that consumers remember.
GM did not release any details on when it will return.
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PRESS RELEASE:
Regal Named as Next Buick Sedan
As part of Buick GMC's strategy to engage and listen to its dealers, more than 1,000 dealers this week will be the first to learn the name of Buick's next mid-size sport sedan will be the Buick Regal. The announcement was made at the Buick GMC dealer business meeting.
"The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan," said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. "We're thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family."
The Regal name has played a very important role in Buick's history for many years and continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers even though it's been out of the market for the past six years.
Buick is emerging as a modern, premium marquee with vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers will continue to expand Buick's portfolio both in North America and China. More information can be found at www.buick.com.
About General Motors: General Motors, one of the world's largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 219,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM's largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Canada, Russia and Germany. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation. More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.
Comments (18)
there is the opel styling that looks so good!!! that is what GM needs to stay competitive is good looking cars! thats a nice looking buick!
Posted by Phil | October 14, 2009 10:10 AM
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:10
That does look sharp. Maybe GM is finally on to something.
Posted by Kempai Tai | October 14, 2009 10:34 AM
Posted on October 14, 2009 10:34
It sure looks like a Malibu with a different grill. I wonder if anything will set it apart? My expectations are low in that regard.
Posted by Chris | October 14, 2009 11:26 AM
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:26
Looks almost like a Bimmer 3 series
Posted by JIm B | October 14, 2009 11:37 AM
Posted on October 14, 2009 11:37
Its actually different altogether Chris. Malibu is Epsilon, Opel Insignia/Buick Regal and LaCrosse are Epsilon II. Quick break down on the specs:
Malibu
Wheelbase 112.3 in
Length 191.8 in
Width 70.3 in
Height 57.1 in
Insignia
Wheelbase 107.8"
Length 190.2"
Width 73.1"
Height 59.0"
LaCrosse
Wheelbase 111.7"
Length 197.0"
Width 73.1"
Height 58.9"
Epsilon II has a number of advantages as well over Epsilon, like In-Dash Nav for example.
Posted by Avatar | October 14, 2009 12:13 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 12:13
What Avatar said.
Did anyone notice the front plate? Is that Chinese? You may know that Buick sells well over there.
Posted by Kawi | October 14, 2009 2:19 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 14:19
Wow... I may owe myself 100 bucks. GM is possibly bringing an Opel to the states without going nuts and Saturnize, Chevrolize, or Buicizing it.
While the Malibu was a good step forward for GM, this is even better. Those bodyside lines look good, are sorely needed. I've seen enough American slab-sided sedans in this decade to last me through the the next one.
I can honestly say that if it actually was the new Regal, and I was in the market for a new sedan, it would make the list.
Posted by Trooper Bri | October 14, 2009 3:31 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 15:31
Finally GM is doing something right the Regal name is a well known name. I still have no idea why the retired that name in the first place.
Posted by SteelCity1981 | October 14, 2009 9:22 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 21:22
Looks pretty good.
Posted by Gary | October 14, 2009 11:02 PM
Posted on October 14, 2009 23:02
One danger for Buick is making sure there is adequate differentiation between models, without the Regal turning into a "budget" model like the Century did. The introduction of the budget Century created decent sales for Buick in the 90s but did a lot to damage the brand. I'm not sure Buick can differentiate the Epsilon and Epsilon II models wthout problems.
Posted by WSE | October 15, 2009 4:52 AM
Posted on October 15, 2009 04:52
It looks more like an IS250/350 to me. I have good memories of Buick. My father owned one and I still remember a drive we did going up to Portland, Oregon with it. I hope the brand does well.
Posted by vtfo0lio | October 15, 2009 9:24 AM
Posted on October 15, 2009 09:24
first... the name Regal sounds rather retarded to me (ok i'm european and i dont know the history of this name.but over here "regal" means " a shelf or sort of warderobe closet". but still - hearing it for the first time it souns dumb)
second... this definitely looks a lot like Opel Insignia ..and thats good, very good .... been in the US a few times and all sedans i see on the streets are some butt ugly cars- be it american or japanese...heck, even euro models get mutilated heavily ..
Posted by s_howl | October 15, 2009 1:11 PM
Posted on October 15, 2009 13:11
Congs! This one had skipped my radar. GM has actually made the Opel Insignia look more, eh... regal? And the Insignia is not half bad to begin with. And a decent driving experience as well. The red car in the picture seems to be the Chinese version, though, think the US version will have a few changes, hopefully making it even better.
Posted by Mech | October 16, 2009 5:38 AM
Posted on October 16, 2009 05:38
@ EVERYONE:
I am 99.98254071% positive that this is the new Opel Insignia with an "Americanized" front fascia. Which is, in fact, a good thing (that this is an Opel.) Personally, I prefer the Euro fascia.
Posted by lotsofTRidiots | October 16, 2009 11:58 AM
Posted on October 16, 2009 11:58
@lotsofTRidiots
its the same front end as the opel, just with a buick grille and it looks good that way. this is going to be the best selling buick by far if it looks like this at the time of release.
Posted by Phil | October 16, 2009 12:53 PM
Posted on October 16, 2009 12:53
Wake me up when they bring back the Buick Regal Grand National or GNX. Then I'll be interested.
Posted by Peter | October 16, 2009 7:31 PM
Posted on October 16, 2009 19:31
Wait, wouldn't that be powered by eco-boost? LOL..
More power than a LS1 and possibly worse gas mileage...
Posted by Brian | October 18, 2009 8:56 AM
Posted on October 18, 2009 08:56
@ Phil:
The fronts are different; trust me, I've seen the Insignia in person many times before. Try doing an image search for the Insignia and you will notice that the fascias are different.
@ Peter:
Ever heard of the Insignia OPC? Perhaps the next Grand National?
Posted by lotsofTRidiots@hotmail.com | October 18, 2009 3:23 PM
Posted on October 18, 2009 15:23