Luxury. Design. Prestige.  All three are hallmarks of Buick’s legacy that, in order to revive the brand in the U.S., must be present in every new vehicle.  Although the division has had some success in doing so with the popular Enclave crossover, it’s looking to its operations in China - a market where the brand all but dominates the middle-and upper-luxury segments - to resuscitate its ailing U.S. wing.

2010
If you’re a fan of the Invicta sedan shown at the 2008 Beijing motor show, you’re in luck: it will become the 2010 LaCrosse sedan.  We’re told much of the styling will transition to the production car with little change, but we’ll wait for its debut at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show to know for sure.

Moving from the antiquated W-platform to GM’s global Epsilon architecture, the new LaCrosse could use a 250-hp variant of GM’s turbocharged and direct-injected 2.0-liter Ecotec I-4 as standard equipment, while the direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 (also found in Cadillac’s CTS) could become an option.

2011
GM’s shift away from rear-wheel-drive programs was sad enough, but it tragically ended the possibility of a large RWD Buick in our future.  That would have been the Lucerne, which was supposed to move to the Zeta platform, which currently underpins a host of Holdens and the Pontiac G8.  Instead, the car will be mildly updated over the next few years, and will remain in Buick portfolios until GM feels its size and fuel economy are no longer relevant.

What likely will be more relevant is the Enclave, Buick’s crossover built upon the Lambda platform.  Expect to see a refresh of the ute’s design in 2011, along with the addition of a 2-Mode hybrid system in pursuit of fuel economy.

2012
Remember the Buick Skyhawk?  We’re not advocating its return, but rumors suggest Buick is considering introducing a front-wheel-drive compact car for the U.S. market by 2012.  Riding on the Delta architecture (also used on the 2010 Chevrolet Cruze and Volt), the Buick sedan will be sold in both the U.S. and China.

Lost and Gone Forever
What we lusted for most was the Riviera, a gorgeous grand touring coupe concept designed by GM’s Chinese design studio.  We’re saddened that the company’s fortunes, coupled with the cessation of rear-wheel-drive development, means it won’t see a production line anytime soon.

Safety-conscious buyers looking for a crossover SUV may want to take note; General Motors’ entire lineup of midsize crossovers has won a major safety award. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the Buick Enclave, Chevy Traverse, GMC Acadia, and Saturn Outlook its “Top Safety Pick” designation for 2009. In a press release the Institute explains, “To qualify for Top Safety Pick, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of good in the Institute’s front, side, and rear tests and be equipped with electronic stability control.”

Edmunds Inside Line notes the vehicles “have also been given the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s top five-star rating for driver and front passenger in front crash testing and for driver and rear passenger in side crash tests,” meaning they have earned the top score in all safety tests performed in the United States.

But safety-minded buyers don’t need to spring for a 2009 vehicle. Kicking Tires explains, “The Top Safety Pick designation also carries over to 2008 versions of the Acadia, Enclave and Outlook, while the Chevy Traverse is all-new for 2009. The 2008s are available with huge discounts during GM’s Employee Pricing Sale…which runs through Sept. 2.”

Bill Sullivan Pontiac bucks the trends and expands operations to include Buick and GMC car sales in Illinois. While other car dealers may be struggling in a slowing economy, Bill Sullivan Pontiac merges with Joe Mitchell Buick GMC to become a full service Buick, Pontiac and GMC dealer serving the greater Arlington Heights area. The new name of the dealership is Sullivan Buick Pontiac GMC Inc.

Jeff Sullivan commenting on the expansion plan adds “We are very excited about the opportunity to offer the “Sullivan Experience” to owners of Buick and GMC cars. In fact, we see a great opportunity to capitalize on the infrastructure and customer service experience we have put in place for Pontiac car owners. Illinois car shoppers should stop in to Arlington Heights and see the great selection of cars we have in stock combined with GM buyer incentives .“

The merger with Joe Mitchell Buick GMC was officially closed on August 21, 2008. Customers looking for service, parts and sales support can visit http://www.sullivanbpg.com for additional information.

Bill Sullivan Pontiac could not have picked a better time to merge with Joe Mitchell Buick GMC. The company is in the midst of a major sales promotion which offers the GM employee discount for all GM car buyers of 2008 models now through September 2nd. More information on the employee discount program is available at http://www.sullivanbpg.com

Bill Sullivan Pontiac has enjoyed the luxury of being the number one Pontiac retailer for the past thirteen years in Illinois. The new merger will offer Illinois car shoppers greater selection and value with the same excellence in customer service Bill Sullivan customers have grown to expect.