Nother CarGuy

General Motors shocked the auto industry when it announced plans to close up to five North American plants and slash 15 percent of its salaried workforce earlier today. The initial release was light on specifics, but the company has now added a “North American Capacity Actions” sheet which spells out of the death of a number of different models. Like previous actions by Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, GM’s sedan lineup is seeing major cuts. Things will kick off on March 1st 2019, when the last Buick LaCrosse and Chevrolet Volt are built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant in Michigan. At the same time, a couple hundred miles away, the last Chevrolet Cruze will be built at the Lordstown Assembly Plant in Ohio. When summer rolls around, the Cadillac CT6 and Chevrolet Impala will cease being built at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant on June 1st. The Impala will get a slight reprieve as the model will continue to be built at the Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada until th...

Buick has introduced the 2019 Regal Avenir. Designed to build on the success of the LaCrosse and Enclave Avenir, the luxury-oriented model has a familiar design but is distinguished by a three-dimensional mesh grille and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels with a pearl nickel finish. The exterior styling changes are barely noticeable, but bigger updates occur in the cabin. Drivers are greeted by whisper beige or ebony leather front seats with diamond quilted accents and embroidered headrests. A closer inspection also reveals Avenir-branded sill plates and special floor mats with contrast stitching. The real highlight of the interior – according to Buick – is the addition of the company’s new “cloud-connected infotainment system.” Debuting on the Regal Avenir, the system has GPS navigation, voice recognition technology and access to an assortment of apps. Other standard features include a wireless smartphone charger, an eight-speaker Bose audio system and an assortment...

Buick may be an American brand, but it’s doing quite well in China and the Excelle is one of its core products. Since introducing the name plate in 2003, Buick has sold nearly 2.7 million Excelles in China. That’s almost as many as all the vehicles, across its entire lineup, that Buick has sold back home in America over the same period. Not bad for a humble little compact car. The original Excelle was based closely on the Daewoo Lacetti, and it remained on the market until 2016. Its place has since been taken by the Excelle XT hatchback (based on the Opel Astra) and Excelle GT sedan (based on the Verano). The Excelle GX wagon arrived just last year to supplement them. Pictured here for the first time is the new Excelle sedan – it will take the place of the original model that was discontinued two years ago. Details are about as few as the images released, but Buick says it’s been designed “new from the ground up.” It’ll ride on a 2,611-millimeter (103-inch) wheelbase. That...

China is one of Buick’s most important markets so it comes as little surprise the company is using Auto China to introduce the new Enspire concept. Looking far sleeker than the Envision and Enclave, the Enspire has a bold front fascia with a wide grille that is flanked by sporty air intakes. The concept also has slender headlights and a sculpted hood. The sporty styling continues further back as the crossover has dynamic bodywork, a sloping roofline and muscular rear fenders. We can also see aerodynamic side skirts, side camera mirrors and a floating roofline. The rear of the Enspire echoes the front as the model has slim taillights which are connected by a thin strip of chrome trim. Designers also installed a ventilated rear fascia, a tailgate-mounted spoiler and a contrasting lower bumper. Buick only released one interior photo but the company says the concept has a spacious cabin which combines “exquisite craftsmanship” with “simple yet elegant colors.” The photo also ...

General Motors is preparing to unveil a new concept. And as you might expect, it’s an electric SUV. But it won’t appear at one of the major auto shows in North America. This one’s just for China. Called the Buick Inspire, the concept is set to debut later this month at the the Beijing Auto Show. Buick has released this teaser image, ostensibly showing the tailgate with a raked rear windscreen and dynamically styled taillights. Unfortunately, it’s saying very little else about what to expect. The automaker characterizes the concept as “an exploration of design and new technologies” that “leverages GM’s global resources” as an “application of future electric smart mobility.” Largely the same publicity jargon, in short, as you’d expect to see in any such announcement. Sowe’ll have to wait a little while longer in order to see more… but not too much longer. The Enspire concept is set to be unveiled at the dedicated Buick Brand Night event, set to take place in Wuzhen, Zhejia...

Introduced late last month, the updated model features a modestly revised front fascia with a “flying-wing” grille that echoes newer models such as the Encore, Enclave, and Lacrosse. Designers also installed a sportier front bumper and additional chrome trim. The styling changes continue at the rear as the Envision has been equipped with new bodywork and restyled LED taillights. Buick says these changes help to give the rear end a "more three-dimensional" appearance. Interior changes are relatively minor as the model has been equipped with an updated infotainment system that allows users to enjoy online entertainment features - such as Kaola FM internet radio and the NetEase music cloud - through an app. Under the hood, two engines will be available. The entry-level model has a turbocharged 1.5-liter unit that produces 166 hp (124 kW) 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. Customers can also order an updated turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 256 hp (191 kW...

General Motors has revealed its new modular platform for electric vehicles will be used on at least 11 different models. According to the company, the platform will be used to underpin an assortment of different vehicles in various segments across multiple brands. The company was coy on specifics but confirmed the platform builds on knowledge learned from the Chevrolet Bolt and Volt and will have an all-new battery system that is "structurally integrated" into its design. The platform will be used to underpin a dizzying array of all-new models including two "centroid entries." They include a compact SUV and a luxury SUV that is likely bound for Cadillac or Buick. Various versions of the platform will also underpin a small SUV, a compact crossover, and a luxury compact crossover. There will also be large seven-passenger crossovers in both standard and luxury form. GM went on to say the platform has enough "bandwidth" for a low-roof car that resem...

Buick offers the LaCrosse in four trim levels, but nine out of ten buyers go for one of the top two. The case for making an even more upscale version, then, must have practically made itself. Enter the new LaCrosse Avenir. Like the Enclave Avenir sport-ute, the top-of-the-line version of Buick's flagship sedan elevates it into more luxurious territory. Set to debut at the LA Auto Show just a few weeks from now, the 2018 Buick LaCrosse Avenir is distinguished visually from the outside by 3D mesh grilles, chrome "wings," polished 19- (or available 20-) inch wheels, and unique badging. Inside is where it counts, though, where GM's premium brand has given the LaCrosse Avenir chestnut-brown leather upholstery, Bose audio system, panoramic moonroof, and Avenir logos embroidered into the headrests and inscribed into the door sill plates. Power comes from the LaCrosse's otherwise optional 3.6-liter V6 engine, sending its 310 horsepower through a nin...

It was only a matter of time for Buick to reveal the new Regal GS, especially after Opel presented the world with the Insignia GSi. The Buick Regal GS is powered by a new 3.6-liter V6 with 310hp and 282lb-ft of torque, with the engine also featuring direct injection and cylinder deactivation. A nine-speed automatic transmission is standard, as well as an “intelligent” all-wheel drive system. This is also one of the first applications of the nine-speed automatic gearbox that’s paired with AWD. Buick promises to offer the new transmission across five different models. The new Regal GS also comes with a set of second-gen adaptive dampers that are capable of making 500 adjustments per second. The exterior features aggressive front and rear fascias, standard 19-inch alloys, bigger Brembo brakes, a rear spoiler and the obligatory GS badging all around, while LED headlights are an optional feature. The cabin gets GS-specific performance seats that are also perforated and come with ad...

We're getting a better look at the Buick Regal GS as a couple of new photos have surfaced online. Posted by Autowp, the images show the Chinese-spec model will feature an aggressive front fascia with a revised grille and larger air intakes that are surrounded by metallic accents. The car has also been equipped with sportier side skirts and 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental tires. Drivers will also find continuously variable dampers and an upgraded braking system with red calipers. The interior largely carries over but the Regal GS has a number of sporty touches including a flat-bottom steering wheel and alloy pedals. Other highlights include red contrast stitching and piano black trim on the center console. Buick has been tight-lipped about the car but the automaker has already revealed it will have a "high-feature V6 engine" that produces an estimated 310 hp (231 kW). Documents posted by the California Air Resources Board confirmed the engine will be...

Buick has used the Shanghai Auto Show to introduce the all-new Velite 5. Essentially a rebadged version of the Chevrolet Volt, the Velite 5 has a familiar design but adopts a new front fascia with a revised grille and restyled fog lights. The déjà vu design continues in the cabin in the cabin as the driver will find an instantly recognizable interior with only minor styling tweaks. Buick declined to release detailed information, but the company confirmed the Velite 5 will come nicely equipped with an automatic climate control system, keyless entry, and a push-button ignition. Other niceties include a Bose audio system and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay connectivity. Speaking of technology, the model can be equipped with an assortment of safety features including adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, automatic parking assist, and high-beam assist. Should those fail to keep you safe, you'll be glad to know the car comes equipped with 10 s...

Buick has just premiered the latest-generation Enclave mid-size SUV at the New York Auto Show and with it, launched the new Avenir sub-brand. Officially coined the 2018 Buick Enclave Avenir, the new SUV is a radical departure from the current Enclave and incorporates an overhauled design and a suite of new technologies. Compared to the current model and its curious minivan-esque design, the 2018 Enclave looks like a far more traditionally shaped SUV and includes slim new headlights, prominent body creases running down the sides and narrow taillights that are complemented by slim rear side windows and silver D-pillars. Although the new exterior design will encourage some new buyers, it is perhaps the revised interior that is the real selling point. Among the safety equipment that comes standard is rear park assist, a rear vision camera and seven air bags. There’s also keyless entry, a hands-free power-programmable liftgate, tri-zone climate control, universal home remote and pu...

Four months after the Opel Insignia Grand Sport was unveiled for Europe, its North American twin has been unveiled in the form of the 2018 Buick Regal Sportback and the Regal TourX before the New York Auto Show. As the names imply, the Regal Sportback is a sleek-looking four-door hatchback with a design essentially identical to the Insignia Grand Sport. The TourX on the other hand is the first crossover-flavored wagon to be badged a Regal and is just like the Insignia Sports Tourer. As the Regal is so similar to the Insignia and the new Holden Commodore, it incorporates a slew of features previously reported. Among these is an available intelligent all-wheel drive system with an active twin-clutch and an eight-speed automatic transmission. For those models ordered with front-wheel drive, a nine-speed auto ‘box is the only option. In terms of powertrains, the 2018 Regal Sportback is limited to a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder delivering 250 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque in F...