Designs Terrazza
Buick: Giving the Brand Meaning
During the 1980s, Buick was a brand that successfully straddled the fine line between luxury and performance. This GM division sold big, fluffy Park Avenues and LeSabres, while also selling the luxury/sport Riviera and the Regal. It was this last model, the Regal, which stunned the automotive world by winning Grand National awards during the early 1980s. Today, all four models have been terminated in favor of newer names including the Lucerne, LaCrosse, Terrazza, Rainier, and Rendezvous, models that didn?t even exist five years ago. Where is Buick headed? Will GM?s troubles finally kill off the brand? Will the Buick name ever regain meaning? A lot is riding on these questions; the answers may not be as simple to utter or imagine.
GM?s woes could spell Buick?s demise.
Buick and Pontiac have often been cited as the two divisions being the most at risk. This hasn?t escaped the notice of critics who have called on GM to begin dissolving the two divisions immediately.
Based on the Cadillac DTS, the car combines luxury with value to offer motorists a taste of Cadillac lavishness at a discount. Regardless, the Lucerne is bit more refined and less dowdy than the models it replaces. It isn?t likely to captivate young folks, but probably will be more than able to keep current owners satisfied.
There is nothing original about these models other than the Buick badge and a higher level of standard equipment than let?s say, the Pontiac Aztek. Oh, yeah, the Rendezvous? twin, the Aztek, was axed by GM?too ugly!
So, there you have it: five models pared down from almost ten that were offered just a few years ago.
Instead, we know that GM is already planning one new Buick model which, again, may replace two current models [does anyone see a theme here?] The model being planned is an all new crossover vehicle tentatively called the Enclave an AWD crossover vehicle capable of carrying six passengers over its three rows. Yes, the vehicle sounds strangely similar to the Chrysler Pacifica and it appears that the Pacifica is in Buick?s crosshairs with this proposed model.
Beyond the Enclave, Buick will have to bring out newer models to replace the Lucerne and LaCrosse soon after the Enclave?s anticipated 2009 model year release.
The First Pontiac Grand Am
From its introduction in late 1972 to the present day the Pontiac Grand Am has remained an inspirational automobile, spawning a variety of imitators and impostors, but none that carry off the concept with quite the same style.
Both four door sedan and two door coupe were built, and the Grand Am proved so popular that over 40,000 were sold in the first year of production.
One interesting feature of the Pontiac Grand Am in its original guise was the nose, a molding of special plastic that was designed to go back to its right shape in the event of a minor collision! Reclining front seats were another unusual feature, one that was seldom seen on American cars of the era. The first Grand Am models are considered the Holy Grail by collectors, and when the oil crisis began to make a mark in 1974 sales plummeted.
Indeed, the 1975 sales year saw just 10,000 Grand AMs sold, a quarter of those that had been snapped up in the first year, and GM took the decision to scrap the model there and then. There are still many original Pontiac Grand Ams on the roads, lovingly tendered and cared for by dedicated enthusiasts with a love for this revered car.
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3d Animation Martini Terrazza Venezia 2005 by Winter Design
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