Buick Confirms New Models, Targets "Customers that Shop at Ikea and Drink Coffee at Starbucks"

The new Buick confirmed that it will be releasing a new compact sedan and small crossover as follow-ups to its mid-size Regal (pictured above in GS concept form). Well, at least now it's official.

The three new vehicles are expected to help it move into 47% of the market, which will help Buick in achieving its goal of doubling sales "in the next few years".

The brand will also cease using trim-level designations, continuing to shake things up. Why? "Trim levels imply there is a hierarchy of the premium vehicle," says Craig Bierley, director of Buick-GMC advertising/sales promotion director.

Now everyone's going to be the same on the outside, which is smart. Other than engine displacement designations (which can be deleted on most cars), none of the luxury automakers do it.

In addition, Bierley said that Buick is changing its marketing strategy. "In the past, Buick stood for one thing, we stood for quiet," he said. "At the time (before filing for bankruptcy), we had most of our budget slashed, so we kept the program that was successful," Bierley added. "So if you played golf or watched golf, you knew about Buick."

Now, Buick has "almost entirely dropped out of golf," he said adding that the focus now will be on more " grass-roots campaigns and search for customers who shop at Whole Foods and Ikea and drink coffee at Starbucks." In other words, buyers who want luxury without paying that much.

As a sign that things are looking up (i.e. working), Autodata Corp. says Buick's sales are up 36% for April, and 50% improved for the year so far.

Evidence comes in the form of a 214% increase in LaCrosse sales (now selling for "$8,000 to $9,000 more" that its predecessor); even Enclave buyers went up by 30%.

What's really impressive is Buick's bold claim that the upcoming Regal will be the oldest model in its lineup by 2013. That's what we call thinking ahead, or having a plan. Not something the old GM was too concerned with, but reassuring...most reassuring...to see under the new GM.

By Phil Alex

Via: Detnews

Buick's Current Range

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Malignant Rumors: Audi RS7 Sportback with 580HP V10 Coming to Paris?

The Mercedes CLS-fighting A7 Sportback from Audi, previewed by 2009's Sportback Concept (seen in these pictures), is going to be debuting in Paris later this year.

Rumors coming from Britain indicate that instead of the "hurry up and wait a couple years" strategy that usually surrounds RS models, Audi's 'quattro' division will be releasing its RS7 side-by-side with the standard A7.

Power is said to be sourced from a non-turbo version of Audi's 5.2 liter V10 putting out as much as 580-horsepower and hooked to a 7-Speed DSG transmission.

With the RS7 Sportback, Audi is looking to have a direct competitor for the upcoming CLS63 (and possibly BMW's Gran Coupe-based 8-Series) in its stable.

The only issue here is that quattro builds one model at a time; with the RS5 having just debuted, this RS7 making an appearance may just be a bunch of hopes and dreams. Regardless, there's no doubt that it WILL happen. One day.

So, now that everyone is starting to play in the high-performance four-door coupe sandbox, let the nicely-tailored form-over-function wars begin!

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog.com

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Chrysler Announces New Incentives: 0% Financing or up to $4,000 Rebates

The Chrysler Group LLC is the latest automaker to join the incentive war that car makers have been waging for the past month in order to increase sales to individual customers in the U.S.

The Detroit company said that it has began offering 0 percent financing or discounts (e.g. Dodge Charger buyers can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or a $3,000 rebate) on most 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck vehicles when financed through GMAC Financial Services.

The incentives announced are valid until June 1, 2010. For more details, check out the official release after the jump.

From Chrysler Press Release:

Chrysler Brand

Consumers purchasing 2010 model year Chrysler brand vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or 1.9 percent financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services, or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

Jeep Brand

Consumers who purchase Jeep brand 2010 model year vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for 36 months or attractive financing rates for longer terms or up to $4,000 Consumer Cash.

• Consumers who purchase a Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Jeep Commander can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months or Consumer Cash of up to $4,000
  
  • In addition, consumers who purchase or lease a Liberty, Grand Cherokee or Commander and finance through GMAC Financial Services are eligible for up to $1,000 in GMAC Bonus Cash
    
• Consumers purchasing a Jeep Wrangler are eligible for $500 in Mopar® Bucks
  

Dodge Brand

Consumers purchasing most 2010 model year Dodge brand vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for 36 months or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

• Consumers purchasing a Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan or Dodge Nitro can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or up to $2,000 Consumer Cash
  
• Consumers who purchase Dodge Charger can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or Consumer Cash of $3,000
  
• Consumers purchasing a Dodge Challenger can choose from attractive financing rates from GMAC. In addition, the consumer receives $2,000 in Mopar Bucks with the purchase or lease of a 2010 Dodge Challenger
  
• Consumers who purchase a Dodge Journey or Dodge Caliber can choose from 0 percent financing for 36 months, or Consumer Cash of up to $1,500
  

Ram Truck Brand
Consumers who purchase most 2010 Ram truck vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

• In addition, consumers purchasing or leasing a Dodge Dakota or Ram 1500 and finance through GMAC are eligible $1,000 GMAC Bonus Cash
  

Leasing
Chrysler Group is offering attractive lease rates on several 2010 model year vehicles.

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Chrysler Announces New Incentives: 0% Financing or up to $4,000 Rebates

The Chrysler Group LLC is the latest automaker to join the incentive war that car makers have been waging for the past month in order to increase sales to individual customers in the U.S.

The Detroit company said that it has began offering 0 percent financing or discounts (e.g. Dodge Charger buyers can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or a $3,000 rebate) on most 2010 model year Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram truck vehicles when financed through GMAC Financial Services.

The incentives announced are valid until June 1, 2010. For more details, check out the official release after the jump.

From Chrysler Press Release:

Chrysler Brand

Consumers purchasing 2010 model year Chrysler brand vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or 1.9 percent financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services, or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

Jeep Brand

Consumers who purchase Jeep brand 2010 model year vehicles can choose 0 percent financing for 36 months or attractive financing rates for longer terms or up to $4,000 Consumer Cash.

• Consumers who purchase a Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee or Jeep Commander can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months or Consumer Cash of up to $4,000
  
  • In addition, consumers who purchase or lease a Liberty, Grand Cherokee or Commander and finance through GMAC Financial Services are eligible for up to $1,000 in GMAC Bonus Cash
    
• Consumers purchasing a Jeep Wrangler are eligible for $500 in Mopar® Bucks
  

Dodge Brand

Consumers purchasing most 2010 model year Dodge brand vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for 36 months or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

• Consumers purchasing a Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan or Dodge Nitro can choose 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or up to $2,000 Consumer Cash
  
• Consumers who purchase Dodge Charger can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 72 months or Consumer Cash of $3,000
  
• Consumers purchasing a Dodge Challenger can choose from attractive financing rates from GMAC. In addition, the consumer receives $2,000 in Mopar Bucks with the purchase or lease of a 2010 Dodge Challenger
  
• Consumers who purchase a Dodge Journey or Dodge Caliber can choose from 0 percent financing for 36 months, or Consumer Cash of up to $1,500
  

Ram Truck Brand
Consumers who purchase most 2010 Ram truck vehicles can choose from 0 percent financing for up to 60 months, or Consumer Cash of up to $3,000.

• In addition, consumers purchasing or leasing a Dodge Dakota or Ram 1500 and finance through GMAC are eligible $1,000 GMAC Bonus Cash
  

Leasing
Chrysler Group is offering attractive lease rates on several 2010 model year vehicles.

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Baby Buick Enclave set to Join Reinvigorated Lineup

As we all know, Chevy recently decided not to distribute its Orlando mini-crossover in the States in order to concentrate on its current lineup. Looks like they might have had another reason.

According to the Associated Press, Buick will be continuing its barrage of new products with an Aveo-based crossover to be built in Orion Township, Michigan.

This is refreshing; the brand formerly known as OLD has not only reinvigorated its lineup, but will be releasing more products in the near future - the Chinese-market Excelle and this new mini-Enclave - to help pull in younger buyers (Lexus and Acura fans, too).

Let's recap: large, medium, and (soon to be) small cars? Covered. Full-size and (soon to be) small crossovers? Covered. All of the ones currently available on lots (barring the Lucerne)? Pretty good-looking. Above average, even.

The crazy thing is, now I wonder what's stopping them from doing a sports car down the line? Talk about a positive identity shift.

By Phil Alex

Via: AP / Yahoo (Photos: Buick Enclave)

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Nissan UK Confirms Prices for Refreshed Panthfinder and Navara

The facelifted Nissan Pathfinder SUV and its Navara pickup truck sibling are available for order now in Britain. Key enhancements for both models include the addition of a new 231HP 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, some minor revisions to the 2.5-liter diesel that now produces 190HP, a refreshed exterior and improved interior with more standard equipment.

The Navara 2.5dCi 190HP pickup truck starts from £19,807 (excluding VAT) for the Acenta King Cab, while the Tekna, available only in Double Cab form, costs from £24,389.50 (on the road) for the manual or £25,682 (on the road) for the automatic.

Additional standard features on the Navara Acenta include side and curtain airbags, ESP stability control, front fog lights, new seat cloth, additional cabin storage. On the Navara Tekna, pop-up headlight washers, speed limiter, power fold mirrors, MP3 AUX input all come as standard.

The Pathfinder Acenta 2.5 dCi 190HP is priced at £28,495 while the fully equipped Pathfinder Tekna is available with either a 6-speed manual transmission (£31,595) or a 5-speed automatic (£33,095).

Extra standard features on the Pathfinder Acenta include Fine Vision combimeter for a crisp view of the instrument dials, new centre console and lidded storage box and MP3 AUX input.

On the Pathfinder Tekna, Nissan Connect Premium HDD, a sat nav infotainment system with 7-inch colour touch screen, comes as standard as well as new 18-inch wheels, headlight washers, speed limiter and new centre console with wood finish.

Nissan said that prices for the 231HP V6 diesel models will be announced at a later date with deliveries starting in September.

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