For all the hype surrounding the introduction of the Buick Invicta concept, it’s not getting much attention in Beijing. There’s rarely much of a crowd around it despite the fact that this concept was developed with input from both U.S. and Chinese designers.

Rumors suggest the Invicta is a preview of the next Buick LaCrosse. We can barely remember what the current LaCrosse looks like, so anything that resembles the Invicta should be an improvement. Although this concept has a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder under the hood, expect a more traditional V6 when it arrives in production form sometime next year. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line



Continue reading...

Checking in on Peter De Lorenzo over at AutoExtremist.com, and as usual, he has some interesting if not thought-provoking ideas. This time it's a "What if" scenario for a future GM, and this of course, is in a perfect world. By that I mean if franchise laws, etc., could be resolved to make this work.

Here's the short story version: The only divisions that would exist here would be Chevrolet, Cadillac and Hummer. Buick would only be sold outside the USA. GMC, Pontiac, Saturn would disappear altogether. Saab? It would be sold off or disappear. As usual, De Lorenzo makes a strong case supporting his ideas.

So, do you agree with him or not?

For the details check it out here.

Oh the irony... Buick, at a New York auto show press presentation, showed a sketch of a new Invicta concept that will be introduced—not at New York—but rather at the Beijing Motor Show next month! This is just one more example of how important Buick sees the Chinese market.

For those too young to remember, Invicta was a model line that Buick introduced on their mega-fin 1959 models, and is shown to the right. It was a lower midrange model slotted under the Electra 225 and Electra models, but above the entry-level Le Sabre; sort of a renamed Century, if you will.

Also noteworthy here is that Buick is continuing to mine their heritage, as the sketch shows an even bolder rendition of the famous Buick "sweep spear" that so characterized the profiles of 1950s-era Buicks, as evidenced by the image of the '54 and '56 models below.



Here's Inside Line's take: Beijing Auto Show: Buick Invicta Returns From the Dead

Just a quick tease here as to some of what GM is planning on showing at NewYork next week:

• Pontiac will debut 3 new production models

• Saab's 9-x BioHybrid will make its North American debut.

• Buick reportedly to have some surprises—one of which is that their news will also be available in Chinese on the GM media site. Now that may not mean much to those not in the auto news business, but it just goes to show just how important Buick has become to China, and vice-versa. But you already knew that, right?

EXCLUSIVE!!! We are the first journalists to operate the Chinese-designed Buick Riviera concept. Sadly, we are also the first journalists to break the Chinese-designed Buick Riviera concept.

First shown in China, the Riviera sat forlornly behind GM's presentation stage. We pulled a couple of strings and were the first to operate the heavily styled gullwing four-seat coupe. By this nifty remote control, one can turn on countless neonlike ambient lights all over the vehicle. Or you can until it stops responding at all and just emits a loud ringing sound.

"Anyway," we said the to PR guy, "I think there's a press conference to go to. Thanks."

Our first impression? Car looks kind of cool but doesn't sound that great.  -- Daniel Pund, Senior Editor, Detroit 

General Motors Vice President Global Design Ed Welburn stands with the Buick Riviera concept as it makes its North American debut in conjunction with the North American International Show Thursday, January 10, 2008 in Detroit, Michigan. The Riviera nameplate returns after an eight-year hiatus. It was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center, a design and engineering joint venture between GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation.

Here's Inside Line's take: 2008 Detroit Auto Show: Buick Riviera Concept

Image: John F. Martin for General Motors

There are more than 140,000 slot machines in and around Las Vegas. That's about the same number of people who will attend this year's International Consumer Electronics Show which is also in Las Vegas.

And we're not talking just fancy toasters, Wii and big screen TVs. We fully expect a strong automotive showing at this year's show as both Ford and General Motors will be there in force. Microsoft's Bill Gates will announce significant upgrades to Ford's Sync system and GM's CEO, Rick Wagoner will also be giving one of the keynote speeches at CES. We're also looking forward to seeing the BMW Sauber F1 pit exhibit - let's hope there's tire smoke.

On the more grounded side, Hughes Telematics will have a demo vehicle that will offer an early look at an OnStar competitor that will be available in Mercedes Benz vehicles by 2009.

Even though the show doesn't officially start until Monday, we've been able to peek behind the curtain and show you a few new products well ahead of the show. Goodyear has a new portable navigation system plus we know Ford will add Sirius traffic and travel services to some of their cars.

Check back Sunday night for more on the latest in mobile gadgets and in-car technology.

Latest word is that the successor to the GM Northstar V8 engine has been killed, and that the Northstar may be replaced by GM's excellent 3.6L V6. That engine, the direct-injection DOHC 3.6, puts out 302 horsepower, which is uncomfortably close to the 320 horespower that the 4.6L Northstar puts out. The 3.6 also gets two mpg better gas mileage than Northstar V8.

This raises question about the Lambda platforn CUVs (GMC Acadia, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook), as a version of the Northstar was slated for those vehicles. The Northstar is scheduled to be built until 2010, but not after that.

Me thinks that the future (higher) corporate gas mileage requirements played a big role in this decision—and that this won't be the last surprise engine killing by some major automaker.

Full story here at Winding Road.

Here's Inside Line's take: GM Drops Plans for New DOHC V8 Engine in 2009

Expect future Buicks to take on some of the character displayed on their new Enclave. That means means more expressive and bolder design, rather than conservative me-too designs.

I welcome this as Buick has a lot of really good design cues to to work with. I think if they can capture the spirit and style from Buicks of the early and mid-1950s, that would be great. For me, that decade produced Buicks that best captured the essence of the brand.

Buick Design Will Grow Bolder,GM’s Top Design Exec Says

This could be a big year for the General at the Detroit Auto Show, as they have secured four of the six contender slots for the 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year. The Chevy Malibu and Cadillac CTS will face off against the Honda Accord for 2008 North American Car of the Year award; and the Buick Enclave, Chevy Tahoe Hybrid will take on the Mazda CX9 for 2008 North American Truck of the Year award. The winners will be announced at the NAIAS in Detroit.

So, what do you think are the chances of GM sweeping these awards?

My first thought is that I think we really do need a new
definition of what a "truck" is, as I sure don't consider the Enclave
or CX9 trucks; but that's an entirely different discussion.

Here's Inside Line's take: Lutz Faces a Painful Choice: Which Car To Root for

Here's AutoObserver's take: GM Has Four of Six NACTOY Finalists; Mazda, Honda Round Out the Roster