Buick clearly has plans to expand its Buick lineup beyond the LaCrosse sedan and the coming Regal four-door. But a new Buick SUV does not appear to be in the works.
This past summer, General Motors cancelled plans for a new Buick SUV. Vice-chairman Tom Stephens said on his company blog that the project was axed after the SUV and other future vehicles were shown to consumers, dealers, employees, analysts and news reporters. Potential customers said the planned SUV lacked the right “premium characteristics.”
So where does that leave Buick in terms of future products?
Buick could again revisit the idea of new crossovers, including a plug-in hybrid. It aims to be a premium brand, but it must also do its part within GM to meet upcoming federal fuel economy standards in both Canada and the United States.
Buick could try to make a version of what had been planned as a plug-in crossover Saturn Vue. GM could change the Vue's body style to pick up Buick Enclave design cues such as the strong angles and the waterfall grille. And with some work, the interior could be gussied up to Buick standards.
But no one at Buick is confirming anything right now.
Buick is also rumoured to be planning an upscale compact car. It would put Buick into a segment of the market where it would compete with other premium small cars, such as the BMW 1-Series.
We'll have to wait and see.
