GM Considering Buick/Cadillac RWD Flagship Sedans

FenwickHockey65 · 08-06-2010, 10:14 AM

Target Lexus: GM Considering Buick LS Fighter
GM now considering a flagship sedan for Buick..and it's rear-wheel drive.
www.gminsidenews.com
Link to article

August 5, 2010
By: Nick Saporito

Back in June GMInsideNews cleared up rumors surrounding the status of a Cadillac flagship sedan. According to that report Cadillac is considering a Premium Zeta-based sedan to act as their flagship sedan. Now GMI is hearing that GM is also considering a Premium Zeta-based Buick flagship for North America and that GM management has the car’s target set on the Lexus LS.

GMI sources have stated that the GM board of directors recently approved preliminary design work for the Buick flagship sedan. The approval has granted management and product development limited resources to continue working on the program, however the car is not yet approved for production (much like the Cadillac sedan). Very little is known about the car at this time as it is in its infancy stage, but sources tell GMI that word within the halls of GM’s design studio is that the design is “very hot.”

Buick already has a flagship sedan on the Zeta platform—in China. The current Park Avenue sedan was just recently given a mild facelift and is expected to see a total replacement—on Zeta—in a couple of years. The proposed sedan would vary from the Chinese Park Avenue. The remaining question is if this new sedan would ultimately replace the Chinese Park Avenue as well.

Apparently the logic internally is that the Buick flagship would be designed to compete directly with the Lexus LS, while the Cadillac flagship would be designed to directly target the BMW 7-Series. Since the June piece GMI has obtained further confirmation that a Cadillac flagship is being worked on as more funding for the project has now been freed up.

Products built off of Holden's variants of the Zeta platform are not easily manufactured in North America. GMI sources tell us that the variant of Zeta these two sedans would utilize is called "Premium Zeta" and that it would be engineered for North American production. While both programs are far from selecting a production location, GM's Lansing Grand River and Oshawa, Ontario facilities are good fits for them.

As reported with the Cadillac story, it is likely that these two sedans will not see full approval until after GM’s initial public stock offering.

TheCaptain · 08-06-2010, 11:11 AM

Hmmm, as long as they aren't going to pull some badge engineering on us, it could be good.

I'm still much in favour of the XTS!

Brokinarrow · 08-06-2010, 11:30 AM

Hm, the G8 doesn't look bad in Buick clothing there

FenwickHockey65 · 08-06-2010, 11:30 AM

Badge engineering at GM is pretty much dead. The only rebadges you're going to find are products sold in different markets, a la Opel Insignia/Buick Regal.

FenwickHockey65 · 08-06-2010, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brokinarrow

Hm, the G8 doesn't look bad in Buick clothing there

It's actually the Caprice.

Brokinarrow · 08-06-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

It's actually the Caprice.

I sit corrected

FenwickHockey65 · 08-06-2010, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

I'm not sure i see the point in this. Wouldn't a premium Buick compete with Cadillac? And why bring in another Zeta-car? Isn't that chassis on the way out?

Buick competes with Lexus. Cadillac competes with BMW/Mercedes.

And no, it'll be a new variation of Zeta called Zeta Premium.

Berean · 08-06-2010, 12:13 PM

Now, this is a beautiful car!

COPO_Chevy · 08-06-2010, 02:54 PM

Being a Buick fan, I'm liking what I'm hearing!

Those pic's are beautiful as well..

If something like that were to come out, it would be hot! Heres to hoping,

come on GM this is what I have been waiting for in the Buick lineup!

*DGthe3* · 08-06-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

I'm not sure i see the point in this. Wouldn't a premium Buick compete with Cadillac? And why bring in another Zeta-car? Isn't that chassis on the way out?

Partially, but I would imagine that the Cadillac would be more expensive, sportier, and have more features -similar to a BMW. Buick is a 'quiet comfort' sort of luxury, much like the Asian luxury brands.

shank0668 · 08-06-2010, 02:59 PM

I hate that wood crap. Otherwise a cool car.

truth411 · 08-06-2010, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

It's actually the Caprice.

Meh.. I hope they spice up the exterior and Interior. IMO.

*DGthe3* · 08-06-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truth411

Meh.. I hope they spice up the exterior and Interior. IMO.

I dunno, seems to fit a Buick pretty well. It wouldn't suit Cadillac but it works as a Buick.

*Milk 1027* · 08-06-2010, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shank0668

I hate that wood crap. Otherwise a cool car.

08-06-2010, 10:14 AM	#1
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	GM Considering Buick/Cadillac RWD Flagship Sedans Target Lexus: GM Considering Buick LS Fighter *GM now considering a flagship sedan for Buick..and it's rear-wheel drive.* www.gminsidenews.com Link to article August 5, 2010 By: Nick Saporito Back in June GMInsideNews cleared up rumors surrounding the status of a Cadillac flagship sedan. According to that report Cadillac is considering a Premium Zeta-based sedan to act as their flagship sedan. Now GMI is hearing that GM is also considering a Premium Zeta-based Buick flagship for North America and that GM management has the car’s target set on the Lexus LS. GMI sources have stated that the GM board of directors recently approved preliminary design work for the Buick flagship sedan. The approval has granted management and product development limited resources to continue working on the program, however the car is not yet approved for production (much like the Cadillac sedan). Very little is known about the car at this time as it is in its infancy stage, but sources tell GMI that word within the halls of GM’s design studio is that the design is “very hot.” Buick already has a flagship sedan on the Zeta platform—in China. The current Park Avenue sedan was just recently given a mild facelift and is expected to see a total replacement—on Zeta—in a couple of years. The proposed sedan would vary from the Chinese Park Avenue. The remaining question is if this new sedan would ultimately replace the Chinese Park Avenue as well. Apparently the logic internally is that the Buick flagship would be designed to compete directly with the Lexus LS, while the Cadillac flagship would be designed to directly target the BMW 7-Series. Since the June piece GMI has obtained further confirmation that a Cadillac flagship is being worked on as more funding for the project has now been freed up. Products built off of Holden's variants of the Zeta platform are not easily manufactured in North America. GMI sources tell us that the variant of Zeta these two sedans would utilize is called "Premium Zeta" and that it would be engineered for North American production. While both programs are far from selecting a production location, GM's Lansing Grand River and Oshawa, Ontario facilities are good fits for them. As reported with the Cadillac story, it is likely that these two sedans will not see full approval until after GM’s initial public stock offering. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

08-06-2010, 11:11 AM	#2
TheCaptain N7 Spectre Drives: 14 ATS Performance 3.6L AWD Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 2,732 View My Garage	Hmmm, as long as they aren't going to pull some badge engineering on us, it could be good. I'm still much in favour of the XTS! __________________

08-06-2010, 11:30 AM	#3
Brokinarrow Drives: 2012 Honda NC700x Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Indianola, IA Posts: 5,317 View My Garage	Hm, the G8 doesn't look bad in Buick clothing there __________________

08-06-2010, 11:30 AM	#4
FenwickHockey65 General Motors Aficionado Drives: 2023 GMC Canyon, 2023 Expedition Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 37,375 View My Garage	Badge engineering at GM is pretty much dead. The only rebadges you're going to find are products sold in different markets, a la Opel Insignia/Buick Regal. __________________ 2023 GMC Canyon Elevation 2023 Ford Expedition SSV (State-Issued)

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