Buick Archives

Buick has unveiled the newest addition to its lineup, the 2013 Encore small crossover.

"Buick Encore is a great-looking, smart choice for those who want luxury crossover amenities in a more maneuverable and agile vehicle," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "It represents a luxury alternative for a new audience of Buick customers, and delivers features and flexibility not typically found in vehicles of its size today."

The small Encore seats up to five and is powered by a turbocharged 1.4L Ecotec four-cylinder engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 1.4L puts out 140 horsepower and 148 lb-ft. of torque. Buyers will be able to choose between front or all-wheel-drive.

At just over 168 inches long, the Encore is a small crossover. GM compares it to the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, two small luxury crossovers that aren't currently sold in the U.S. In terms of styling the Encore adopts many of the same design themes as the other Buick models, like its waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds and portholes on the hood.

"The Encore brings Buick's timeless, sculptural design to the crossover segment in a way that blends elegance, efficiency and utility," said David Lyon, executive director of design. "There's confidence in its athletic stance and elemental beauty in its rich details."

To keep the interior of the Encore quiet, Buick applied its "QuietTuning" process including Buick's first application of active noise cancellation.

The 2013 Buick Encore will arrive in the first quarter of 2013.

The 2013 Buick Encore crossover is set to debut on January 10th at the Detroit Auto Show, but Buick has been giving Facebook fans a sneak peak.

The official photo is divided into four panels, with this photo now revealing two of them. GM hasn't released any new details about the Encore. In a previous statement, GM stated that the "Encore will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buicks today."

As we get closer and closer to the Detroit Auto Show, automakers are giving us more details about what we can expect at the show. GM has just released a teaser photo of its new 2013 Buick Encore five-passenger crossover that is going to be unveiled next month.

According to GM the "Encore will offer contemporary styling, signature QuietTuning technology, and a host of features and amenities customers expect from Buicks today."

A new Encore tab on www.facebook.com/buick will feature a covered photograph of the vehicle. Each week leading up to the reveal, Buick will uncover a section of the photo. The final image will be revealed the same morning Encore takes the stage at the Cobo Center in Detroit.

GM's designers have set out to capture the "essence of Buick luxury" with the Buick LaCrosse GL concept that is going to be on display at the LA Auto Show next week.

GM's designers took inspiration from the burnished metal of antique jewelry, ombré patina on vintage guitars and flocked lining of keepsake boxes to create the LaCrosse GL concept.

"The LaCrosse GL concept expresses Buick's distinctly human kind of luxury - one that is as warmly inviting as it is elegant and refined," said David Lyon, executive director of design. "The design cues that already distinguish the production LaCrosse - such as the premium leather-upholstered seats, ice blue ambient lighting and soft touch surfaces - are amplified in the GL and serve as inspiration for future Buick models."

"Every surface in the interior of the LaCrosse GL has been crafted with the knowledge that Buick customers enjoy the finer things in life, but don't need to flaunt it," Magdalena Kokoszynska, creative designer on LaCrosse GL said.

The 2012 Buick Verano has yet to reach showrooms, but thanks to a recent document from the Automotive News, we now know that GM is planning a hybrid version of the small sedan in 2015.

Automotive News has posted a document that shows the suppliers for the Buick Verano and it also shows future powertrains for the Verano. In 2015 the Verano is going to get a 2.5L hybrid powertrain, which will be used until 2020.

The document also reveals that the Verano will get a turbocharged 2.0L unit next year. The 2.0L engine could put out anywhere around 250 horsepower.

We all love a comfy seat either in front of the TV or in our cars. Automakers spend countless hours perfecting the seats in their models and in the case of GM, the automaker spent at least 1,000 hours developing the seats in the 2012 Buick Verano.

What did GM's engineers do exactly for 1,000 hours? According to GM, the engineers worked hard to prevent "hot spots" from happening on long drives and to design the headrests in such a way to prevent them from messing up your hair. Yup the Verano's seats will cuddle your bum and at the same time not mess up your ponytail.

"When we set out to design a comfortable interior for Verano our goal was for customers to feel like vacation begins as soon as they get in the car, and not when they reach their destination," said Brian Schell, Verano program engineering manager. "By making comfort our first priority, we were able to create seats that will make customers feel more at ease and connected to the car for a more-satisfying ride experience."

GM's sales for September have just been reported with a total 207,145 vehicles sold in the U.S. That's a 20 percent increase over the same period last year.

"For GM, all of the factors that say this is a good time to buy a new vehicle outweigh the bad news that appears to be slowing down the broader economic recovery," said Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Sales Operations. "We're well positioned going forward because we have momentum and another wave of fuel-efficient passenger cars launching over the next several months at Chevrolet, Buick and Cadillac."

Sales of GM's passenger car sales increased 12 percent, crossover sales increased 7 percent and truck sales, which include full-size pickups and SUVs, increased 34 percent.

GM has announced the introduction of the auto industry's first ever front center air bag that is designed to protect drivers and front passengers in far-side impact crashes where the affected occupant is on the opposite, non-struck side of the vehicle.

The new front center air bag will be standard on the 2013 Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Chevy Traverse crossovers. The front center air bag deploys from the right side of the driver's seat. It's designed to provide protection in passenger-side crashes when the driver is the only front occupant and also acts as an energy absorbing cushion between the driver and front passenger in both driver- and passenger-side crashes.

GM's analysis of NHTSA's reporting found that far-side impact crashes, accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover impacts between 2004 and 2009. Far-side fatalities also 29 percent of all the belted front occupant fatalities in side impacts.

"The front center air bag is not required by federal regulation, and no other air bag in passenger vehicles today offers the type of restraint and cushioning this air bag is designed to provide for front occupants," said Scott Thomas, senior staff engineer in GM's advanced restraint systems.

We've heard rumors before, but now there are new reports that Opel's recently unveiled Astra GTC could come to the U.S. and be badged as a Buick. Opel's Karl-Friedrich Stracke recently stated, "I could easily see it as a Buick."

The United Auto Workers (UAW) also recently negotiated a new contract with GM that could provide even more proof that the Astra GTC is headed to the U.S. According to union officials GM is set to build a new compact vehicle that will create more than 500 jobs.

GM unveiled the 2012 Opel Astra GTC in June. It rides 15 mm lower than the five-door Astra with wider front and rear tracks. It also gets a sportier suspension. In Europe it's offered with the choice of a diesel or three different gasoline engines. The top engine is the 180-hp 1.6L turbocharged engine. An even more powerful Astra OPC is expected to debut next year.

Buick has been a roll reviving its lineup with models like the new LaCrosse, Regal and upcoming Verona. There has been speculation ever since the new Regal debuted that GM would create additional variants of the sedan. We've even seen spy photos of a Buick-badged Opel Insignia Sports Tourer in the U.S. But even though there was speculation that GM would produce a wagon variant of the Regal, a spokesman has confirmed that the Regal wagon is not in Buick's product plans.

The spokesman recently spoke to Inside Line:

"Absolutely not," he said about Buick doing a wagon. "There is no Regal Wagon in our future plans."

GM has announced the pricing for the the 2012 Buick Verano, which goes on sale later this year. The 2012 Buick Verano starts at $23,470 and GM boasts that it features more passenger and cargo room than the Acura TSX and Lexus IS 250.

"Verano is a great new addition to Buick because it expands the brand's reach," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "With Verano, we're inviting new customers into the Buick family, giving us the opportunity and privilege of building longtime Buick loyalty."

The compact Buick Verano is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 171 lb-ft. of torque. The 2.4L is mated to a standard six-speed automatic transmission.

The Verano is offered in three models with the top model starting at $26,850. Standard features include leatherette seating, high-resolution 7-inch diagonal LED backlit color-touch radio display with IntelliLink technology and 10 standard air bags. Automatic climate control, remote start, power windows and steering wheel radio controls are also standard.

GM is set to finally follow the trend of sharing a small number of platforms across several models. GM has officially announced plans to cut the number of platforms it currently has by more than half, from 30 down to 14 over the next seven years.

The ultimate goal is to have 90 percent of its global models built off shared platforms, which is up from 31 percent last year. The number of engine variants will also be reduced from 18 to 10 by 2018. The news was announced at GM's 2nd Annual Global Business Conference for investors and financial analysts.

"Today's GM has strong brands and fuel-efficient products that customers around the world truly value," said Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson. "To reach a higher level of performance - for our customers and stockholders - we are accelerating our efforts to simplify and strengthen our processes to improve efficiencies and achieve our vision, which is to design, build and sell the world's best vehicles."

GM has announced the pricing for the performance-oriented 2012 Buick Regal GS. The 2012 Buick Regal GS starts at $35,310.

The Regal GS is powered by an Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine that generates 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The 2.0L is mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission although a six-speed automatic will be available later in the model year. Mated to the six-speed manual the Regal GS gets 27 mpg on the highway.

Some of the features that come standard on the Regal GS are a push-button start, leather-wrapped, flat-bottom sport steering wheel with audio controls, metal sport pedals, and leather-appointed, heated and 12-way adjustable sport seating. A Harman Kardon premium 336-watt, 5.1 Matrix Surround Sound system with nine speakers is also standard.

GM also announced the pricing for the mild-hybrid eAssist system that is available on the base Regal. It's a $2,000 option that delivers 36 mpg on the highway and 25 mpg in the city. The eAssist system mates the 2.4L four-cylinder engine to a lithium-ion battery and electric motor. The mild-hybrid system is also available on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse.

GM is currently focusing its attention on releasing fuel efficient cars like the Chevy Cruze and upcoming 2013 Malibu. GM is going to continue to release key car models across its four brands, but in 2013 GM will shift its focus to launching new trucks.

In 2013 GM will launch its next-generation full-size pickups and SUVs as 2014 models. As with GM's latest cars, the new trucks will also focus on improved fuel economy. GM is expected to offer a new eight-speed transmission and turbocharged engines in its new trucks. GM is also going to add its eAssist hybrid technology to more models.

GM has officially announced that the 2012 Buick LaCrosse is getting a new more powerful V6, in the form of a 303-hp 3.6L V6. The 3.6L V6 puts out 23 more horsepower than the last V6 without any penalties at the pump. The 3.6L V6 gets 17 mpp city and 27 mpg highway.

"The changes we've made to the 3.6L V-6 represent greater refinements to an already well-balanced package," said Tom Sutter, global V-6 chief engineer. "We are using the latest designs, lighter-weight components and enhancements to improve the engine's performance, efficiency and durability."

The 3.6L V6 is lighter and more powerful than the old V6 thanks to a new cylinder head design, which has a revised intake port design that enhances airflow to the combustion chambers. Larger-diameter intake valves in the heads and new, longer-duration intake camshafts help provide the engine's boost in horsepower.

The V6 is available as a no cost alternative to the standard 2.4L four-cylinder engine with eAssist.

GM has announced the official specs for the 2012 Buick Regal GS that is set to go on sale this fall.

The 2012 Buick Regal GS will be the most powerful model available and is powered by an Ecotec 2.0L direct-injected turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The 2.0L puts out 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Regal GS comes with a standard six-speed manual and reaches 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds, while getting 28 mpg on the highway.

"The Regal GS 2.0L turbo delivers the highest specific output of any production engine GM has ever offered, and at 135 hp per liter is the most power dense engine ever certified by SAE," said Mike Anderson, Ecotec global chief engineer and program manager. "We've been combining direct injection and variable valve timing with boosted engines since 2006, and there's no question the Regal GS turbo has the responsiveness and acceleration of some V-6s, while delivering the fuel economy you'd expect of a four-cylinder."

Buick has announced the pricing for the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist. The 2012 LaCrosse eAssist starts at $29,960 before the destination charges.

The eAssist system is now the standard powertrain on the LaCrosse, which gets better gas mileage than the Lexus HS Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. The LaCrosse with eAssist is powered by a mild hybrid system which pairs a 2.4L four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with a 15-hp electric motor. The Buick LaCrosse with eAssist gets an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

If you aren't too keen on the eAssist system, Buick also offers a 303-hp 3.6L V6 that is available at no extra cost.

Opel has taken the wraps off the Astra GTC three-door sports compact ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show, this September.

The Astra GTC is inspired by the Opel GTC Paris Concept that was unveiled last fall. The Astra GTC is unique in the fact that it doesn't share any exterior elements with the other members of the Astra family, with the exception of the mirrors and antenna.

"We wanted the Astra GTC to be the ultimate expression of Opel's design language 'sculptural artistry meets German precision' and to embody our passion for the automobile," says Mark Adams, Vice President, Opel/Vauxhall Design. "However, we did not want emotion to overshadow functionality: the Astra GTC is a clever and affordable dream car."

Buick is experiencing a revival in the U.S., thanks in large part to the new models its borrowed from Europe's Opel. Now it looks like Buick is going to return the favor by sending two of its upcoming models to Europe, to be sold under the Opel brand.

It's being reported that GM is going to better align the Buick and Opel brands in the future. The next-generation Enclave crossover is due in 2015 and will be the first Buick to be badged as an Opel. The 2015 Enclave is also expected to get new four-cylinder engines, which will make it more appealing to European buyers.

The year after the Enclave gets rebadged as an Opel, the next-generation Buick LaCrosse will also be offered as an Opel in Europe. The next-generation Buick LaCrosse is expected to be smaller and lighter than the current model.

Buick is still going to get more Opel models like the Opel Astra GTC and hopefully a version of the upcoming Insignia based coupe.

A new document has leaked that confirms that GM is working on a new coupe based on the Opel Insignia sedan.

The new coupe will be based on the Insignia's Epsilon II platform. It will be powered by a 2.8L turbocharged V6. In Europe the new Opel will be badged as the Calibra and a range topping VXR version is expected to have around 325 horsepower. It's expected to reach 0-62 mph in less than six seconds and have a top speed of 155 mph. The lesser powered models are expected to still have turbochargers under the hood. Production is expected to start in October 2012 with sales starting in 2013.

Why should we be concerned with this model? The Opel Insignia is also sold in the U.S. as the Buick Regal, so the coupe version of the Insignia could also come here. Anything is possible since Buick is reportedly getting a version of the Opel Astra GTC.

Opel gave us our first official look at the 2012 Astra GTC late last month, which is set to be unveiled this June and in Frankfurt later this year. The new Astra is much sleeker and sportier than the last model, which if you recall was sold here as the Saturn Astra. That model obviously failed and went down with the rest of the Saturn brand. It looks like GM is set to bring the Astra back to the US, but this time it will be badged as a Buick.

Lexus and Audi both have small luxury hatchbacks in the US and Mercedes will be bringing the A-Class hatch here soon as well, so it makes sense that Buick try to capture a piece of that market as well. The Astra is already coming here in the form of the Verano sedan, but we're expected to get the much hotter GTC version as well. The GTC is being offered in Europe with a range of four-cylinder engines that have up to 300 horsepower. In the US, it is likely that the GTC will get the same engines as the Verona, a 177-hp 2.4L and a turbocharged 2.0L with 220-hp.

The GTC is pretty much confirmed for the US, but a convertible could also make its way over that will be based on the same Delta platform as the Astra and Verano. Although it will be based on the same mechanicals as the Verano, Astra and Cruze, it's expected to get its own distinct styling. The new convertible is expected to launch as an Opel in late 2012, but it remains to be seen if it will come here as a Buick.

Buick and GMC are getting a version of the MyChevrolet system called the Buick/GMC IntelliLink. The IntelliLink system is similar to Ford's SNYC.

IntelliLink uses Bluetooth or USB to connect the driver's smartphone to a new 7- or 8-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display radio. The system allows smartphone control via voice activation and steering wheel-mounted controls. It also enables streaming stereo audio from the phone through services like PANDORA Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio.

"Today's tech-savvy consumers expect more from their cars' infotainment systems," said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing. "They want a system that allows them to customize their in-vehicle experience with smartphones and other portable media devices. The availability of IntelliLink on every Buick sedan in 2012 and every Buick model in 2013 takes connectivity and media personalization to a new level."

Owners that don't have a smart phone can still connect to the system via system a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, USB flash drive or digital audio player.

The Buick IntelliLink system will be available on the 2012 Regal, LaCrosse and Verano models. The 2012 Terrain will be the first vehicle to offer GMC IntelliLink.

GM has officially unveiled the Buick Envision Concept in Shanghai. The Envision Concept merges Buick's global design language with Chinese aesthetics for the SUV segment.

"The Envision was developed jointly by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC)," said Shi Hong, Director of Buick Marketing at Shanghai GM. "It introduces the development direction for Buick's future SUV products for the market."

The Envision Concept is powered by GM's PHEV plug-in hybrid system. A 2.0-liter SIDI direct injection turbocharged engine is mated to a pair of electric motor generators and an eight-speed transmission. The electric motors get their power from a lithium-ion battery and solar panels on the roof also help add more juice.

According to Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design, "The Envision has inherited Buick design DNA and taken the Buick global design language to a new height. It makes a significant statement for Buick styling and technology, and will influence upcoming models from the brand."

More images of the Buick Envision Concept have leaked ahead of its official debut next week in Shanghai.

The Envision concept is a plug-in hybrid crossover. The Envision is a stylish two-door crossover that may give us a hint at what we can expect from the next Enclave. The design features aesthetics that are meant to appeal to the Chinese market that adhere to Buick's "dynamic, fluid, quiet and comfortable" design essence.

The Envision will officially be unveiled on April 18th.

Buick has released a teaser photo of the Envision crossover concept that is going to be unveiled in Shanghai on April 18th.

The Envision concept was developed by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC). According to GM, the concept has "an elegant and smooth exterior that emphasizes its modern styling and contemporary sportiness." The Envision concept is powered by a plug-in hybrid system, which will eventually be offered in a production Buick.

According to the latest sources, GM is currently working on a Buick version of the European Opel Ampera plug-in hybrid (Chevy Volt in the US).

GM's engineers and designers are currently working on a Buick version of the Ampera that will adopt the Buick waterfall grille and Buick's front end styling. The biggest difficulty that GM faces right now is being able to differentiate it enough from the Chevy Volt. The Buick version would cost more than the Volt, so GM needs to add more features to it in order to justify the higher price.

It's hard to say how different GM will actually make the Buick version, since GM wants to rush the hybrid to the market. If it is officially approved, the Buick plug-in hybrid could be on sale by 2013.

Buick is set to release its next new model, the Buick Verano. When the Verano was officially unveiled, Buick said that the new sedan would be powered by either a 177-hp 2.4L Ecotec four-cyl, which would be followed by a 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged engine. Today it looks like a brochure has leaked that provides some proof that the 2.0L turbocharged engine will put out 250 horsepower.

When GM went through its restructuring many of us wondered why Buick wasn't killed off, but it looks like the brand has something to celebrate. Last month Buick managed to outsell Lexus, for the second month in a row.

In addition to outselling Lexus, Buick also sold more cars than Audi, Acura and Mercedes-Benz (if you take out sales for the Sprinter work van). The top luxury brand last month was BMW, but it too only managed to top Buick by only 800 units, due in large part to the demand for the new BMW X3.

This news is great for GM and Buick fans, since Lexus has been the top selling luxury brand in the US since 2000. Last month Buick sold 15,807 vehicles compared to 13,814 Lexus vehicles. Buick's year-to-date sales are also higher than Lexus, since Buick sold more vehicles in January as well. What's interesting is that Buick has managed to beat Lexus with only four vehicles in its showrooms, the Enclave, LaCrosse, Lucerne and Regal.

At the LA Auto Show last year GM unveiled the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with GM's fuel saving eAssist technology. The eAssist technology is expected to be offered on many other GM models and now it's been applied to the 2012 Buick Regal.

The 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist will be officially unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show this week. In the Regal the eAssist system as been mated to the Regal's 2.4L four-cylinder. The eAssist system uses a 115V lithium-ion battery and a small 15 horsepower electric motor. Regenerative braking and automatic start/stop also help the Regal get 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway.

Other changes to the Regal with eAssist include new 17-inch alloy wheels and tires with lower rolling resistance, an eco mode for the air conditioning system, an eco gauge on the instrument panel to that continuously responds to driving behavior, and a powerflow readout in the 7-inch infotainment screen.

The 2012 Buick Regal with eAssist will go on sale this fall.

According to Wards Auto, GM is going to unveil a hybrid version of the Buick Regal at the Chicago Auto Show next week.

The Buick Regal is going to get a mild hybrid system that is similar to the 2012 Buick LaCrosse. The Buick LaCrosse with eAssist gets 25 percent better fuel economy than the current 2.4L LaCrosse. In the LaCrosse the mild hybrid system mates a 115 volt lithium-ion battery and 15-kilowatt electric motor to the2.4L four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The LaCrosse gets 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway. The hybrid version is expected to get similar mpg numbers.

Unlike the LaCrosse, the hybrid version of the Regal will not be the base powertrain.

Buick has officially unveiled its new compact sedan, the 2012 Verano, which is based on the same platform as the Chevy Cruze. Although the Verano is based on the same platform as the Cruze, hopefully for GM's sake it's much more than a simple rebadge...

The 2012 Verano shares styling cues from the recently introduced Regal. As well as other typical Buick traits such as the chrome waterfall grille, portholes and chrome accents. Under the hood the Verano is powered by a 177-hp 2.4L Ecotec engine that is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Cruze uses smaller 1.4L and 1.8L engines. The Verano gets up to 31 mpg on the highway. Buick is eventually going to also offer a 2.0L turbo engine in the Verano.

"Verano expands our lineup, continues Buick's momentum and gives us a great opportunity to attract a new generation of customers with a product that delivers on their expectations for design, performance and technology," said John Schwegman, vice president of Buick marketing. "It is a smart choice that delivers unexpected luxury in a compact sedan - and it will compete head-to-head with competitors from Audi and Lexus."

Pricing has yet to be announced, but early reports suggest that the 2012 Verano will start around $21,000.

A survey was recently sent out to Buick dealers that contains the preliminary equipment and pricing details about the upcoming 2012 Buick Verano.

The survey contains for possible configurations of the Verano, but it looks like the only engine offered will be the 2.4L Ecotec engine with 180-hp and 172 lb-ft. of torque. The four possible configurations range in pricing from $20,900 to $26,200.

GM has yet to officially unveil the 2012 Verano other than releasing the teaser photo you see here. We do know that the Verano will share much in common with the Chinese-market Excelle.

GM has released the first official photos of the all-new Buick GL8 in China. The new GL8 builds on the original GL8 and will be released in January.

"The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind," said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time."

Under the hood buyers can choose from a 2.4L four-cylinder or a 3.0L V6. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

This morning GM celebrated its return to the NYSE for the first time since the automaker emerged from bankruptcy last year.

Chief Executive Officer Dan Akerson and other top GM members visited Wall Street this morning to witness the event in person. Shares quickly hit $35, which is higher than the initial $33 that the shares were priced at Wednesday evening. By late morning the shares were trading at $35.58.

The Federal Treasury is selling of more than 400 million shares of GM, which will reduce its stake in GM from 61 percent to 33 percent. In order for the government to break even the remaining shares will have to be sold for an average of $50 a share.

GM has unveiled the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist, which increases the fuel economy of the 2.4L LaCrosse by 25 percent.

The Buick LaCrosse with eAssist is basically a hybrid with its 115 volt lithium-ion battery and 15-kilowatt electric motor that is mated to the 2.4L four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor has 15-hp and assists the engine during acceleration and allows the engine to shut down during certain deceleration conditions. Thanks to the new eAssist the 2.4L Buick LaCrosse gets an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Even better news is that the eAssist is standard on all 2012 Buick LaCrosses powered by the 2.4L. GM has yet to announce the pricing, but its expected to start around $30,000.

"The LaCrosse with eAssist technology is the latest example of how this successful car - with sales up more than 200 percent for the year - is shaking up the segment and reinventing Buick," said John Schwegman, vice president of Buick marketing. "It is the smart choice for those who want great fuel economy and performance in a luxury vehicle, with excellent value - the LaCrosse with eAssist will cost thousands less than competitors with similar technologies."

Earlier this year GM surprised us with the unveiling of the Buick Regal GS show car and a few months later GM confirmed that the GS would be produced. Well today GM has released the first official photos and specs for the 2012 Buick Regal GS, which is going to be officially unveiled at the LA Auto Show later this month.

The 2012 Buick Regal GS is based on Europe's Opel Insignia OPC and shares much of its exterior styling like the large air intakes. But unfortunately under the hood the Regal GS does not get the same 325 hp V6 as the Opel. Instead the Regal GS is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L with 255-hp and 295 lb-ft. of torque. The Regal GS also doesn't get all-wheel-drive like the Opel.

The 2012 Regal GS is slated to hit showrooms in the third or fourth quarter of next year.

GM has announced that its current CEO, Ed Whitacre is going to step down on September 1, 2010 and that his title of Chairman of the Board will terminate at the end of 2010.

Whitacre is going to be replaced by Dan Akerson, who has served on the GM board of directors since July 2009.

"My goal in coming to General Motors was to help restore profitability, build a strong market position, and position this iconic company for success," said Whitacre. "We are clearly on that path. A strong foundation is in place and I am comfortable with the timing of my decision."

"There are remarkable opportunities ahead for the new GM, and I am honored to lead the company through this next chapter," said Akerson. "Ed Whitacre established a foundation upon which we will continue building a great automobile company."

GM unveiled a concept version of the Regal GS at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but at the time GM would not say if it was going to actually be produced (it made sense that it would). Well Tom Stephens, vice chairman of global product development, confirmed exclusively to The Detroit News that the Regal GS has been approved for production.

Stephens did not give any other details about the high-performance version of the Regal. The Regal GS concept was powered by a turbocharged 2-liter engine with an estimated 255 horsepower that was mated to a six-speed manual and all-wheel-drive.

It's obvious that GM needs more models like this to bring in a younger buyers with the average Buick buyer coming in at 65 years old. Although that is lower than the average age of 72 several years ago.

The production version of the Regal GS could hit showrooms as early as next year.

Last week GM announced that it paid off its government loans early and now GM has announced plans to invest $890 million a new generation of fuel efficient small block truck and car engines.

"GM is investing in our plants, restoring and creating jobs and making progress toward our vision of designing, building and selling the world's best vehicles," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "These latest investments show our commitment to improving fuel economy for buyers of every GM car, truck and crossover and giving them the best possible driving and ownership experience."

The next generation small block engines will be more fuel efficient thanks to direct injection and an all-new advanced combustion system design. The engines will also use aluminum engine blocks and be E85 ethanol capable.

The investment is expected to create or retain more than 1,600 jobs.

GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre announced this morning that the automaker has made its final payment of $5.8 billion to the U.S. Treasury and Export Development Canada, ahead of schedule. The announcement was made at a ceremony to highlight an investment of $257 million at GM's Fairfax, Kansas, and Detroit Hamtramck assembly centers.

"GM is able to repay the taxpayers in full, with interest, ahead of schedule, because more customers are buying vehicles like the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick LaCrosse we build here in Fairfax," said Whitacre. "We are now building some of the best cars, trucks, and crossovers we have ever built, and customers are taking note. Our dealers are increasing their sales, we are investing in our plants, and we are restoring and creating jobs."

The U.S., Canadian, and Ontario governments gave GM loans of $8.4 billion and took equity stakes in the new GM. Today's payment of $5.8 billion ($4.7 billion to the U.S. Treasury and $C1.1 billion to Export Development Canada) completes the payback of the loans.

"GM's ability to pay back the loans ahead of schedule is a sign that our plan is working, and that we are on the right track. It is also an important first step toward allowing our stockholders to reduce their equity investments in GM," said Whitacre. "We still have much hard work ahead of us, but we are making progress toward our vision of designing, building, and selling the world's best vehicles.

GM also stated that sales of GM's four brands are up 36 percent through March versus the same period in 2009.