BUT! If you check out the concept page above,
there is!
Lexus LF-LC
Here you looked at it.
Moving on.
Five reasons Buick needs the Astra GTC
Source: www.GMInsideNews.com
WRITTEN BY GMI!! NOT CAR DRIVER AMERICA!
"Here at GMI we talk about the Buick brand frequently- and with good reason. In a fairly rapid and unforeseen fashion, Buick went from being an irrelevant waste-of-space in North American showrooms to being the GM brand that has the most focus. Part of their success has come from models that are attracting younger buyers with youthful designs, high feature content in statistically “young” segments.
There really has not been a better example of Buick’s willingness to venture outside of the geriatric sandbox than the recently launched Regal GS. Despite the controversy of its powertrain, the car has vertical fangs on the front clip, Brembo brakes and a ride quality that is more Camaro than Park Avenue. Each attribute combines to form a car that basically gives the middle finger to those that still feel Buick is only for old folks.
While the Regal GS is undoubtedly a catalyst when it comes to establishing Buick’s new direction, it isn’t enough. Part of the beauty of Buick’s new focus on premium vehicles is that there is a fairly wide bandwidth of segments that Buick can legitimately play in.
One such segment that Buick needs to tap is the hot-hatch segment. And Buick’s new BFF—GM’s Opel brand—recently launched a drop-dead gorgeous Astra GTC that is a perfect match for Buick here in North America. Here’s why.
1 – Small Premium is “in”
Downsizing vehicles, specifically in premium and luxury segments, is an industry trend right now. Vehicles like the Lexus CT and Buick’s own Verano are just two examples of small premium cars that recently launched; with several more rumored to be in the pipeline from other luxury makes. Downsizing premium segments is not that big of a surprise as it seems, if given a choice between small premium and big mainstream, most Millennials will go with the feature-laden small option.
2 – Verano isn’t sporty
As most already know, the Verano is heavily based on the Opel Astra as well. The thing is, the sedan-only model is basically a baby LaCrosse; meaning it isn’t intended to be a sporty model. Verano neither looks nor performs like it is a “sporty” small car. The Astra GTC could slot is to cover the “sporty” end of the segment that Verano fails to capture.
3 – Pontiac and Saturn are dead
In the old GM world, the Astra GTC would be at home in the Pontiac or Saturn stable. In fact, Saturn had the last generation Astra GTC for a short time before its death. With both brands dead, Buick is left as the only logical recipient. Considering GM now lacks a performance/excitement/youth brand, Buick is going to have to attempt to play the role. Much like they have with the Regal GS.
4 – Chevrolet lacks an exciting compact car
Not that long ago Chevrolet had the Cobalt Coupe to capture buyers looking for a sporty small car. While the new Cruze is a terrific product, it is tough to deny that the car is intended to appeal as a left-brain, logical purchase. There is no coupe or even performance engine option for those that don’t buy a car simply because they have to have one. The new sub-compact Sonic is a more youthful car, but being a B-class product, it lacks some of the high-end options that would likely appeal to Gen Y.
5 – We (enthusiasts) will buy it
There is no question that the GTC would be a low-volume product in North America, specifically if positioned as a premium small hatch under the Buick nameplate. If the interest in this car within the online community is any indication, a large chunk of the buyers of this car would be enthusiasts; maximizing the low sales volume with word-of-mouth.
Most of us on GMI already know what it means to be an enthusiast. We’re the ones that all of the “normal” people go to for car advice. Couple that with the Astra GTC’s head-turning design makes for a catalyst for enthusiasts to change perceptions normal car buyers have about the Buick brand. Call it the trickle-down effect of the car buying hierarchy. The Regal GS is doing the same thing.
Said normal buyers may not have an interest in purchasing a three-door hatchback, but they may need a Regal or Encore."
There really has not been a better example of Buick’s willingness to venture outside of the geriatric sandbox than the recently launched Regal GS. Despite the controversy of its powertrain, the car has vertical fangs on the front clip, Brembo brakes and a ride quality that is more Camaro than Park Avenue. Each attribute combines to form a car that basically gives the middle finger to those that still feel Buick is only for old folks.
While the Regal GS is undoubtedly a catalyst when it comes to establishing Buick’s new direction, it isn’t enough. Part of the beauty of Buick’s new focus on premium vehicles is that there is a fairly wide bandwidth of segments that Buick can legitimately play in.
One such segment that Buick needs to tap is the hot-hatch segment. And Buick’s new BFF—GM’s Opel brand—recently launched a drop-dead gorgeous Astra GTC that is a perfect match for Buick here in North America. Here’s why.
1 – Small Premium is “in”
Downsizing vehicles, specifically in premium and luxury segments, is an industry trend right now. Vehicles like the Lexus CT and Buick’s own Verano are just two examples of small premium cars that recently launched; with several more rumored to be in the pipeline from other luxury makes. Downsizing premium segments is not that big of a surprise as it seems, if given a choice between small premium and big mainstream, most Millennials will go with the feature-laden small option.
2 – Verano isn’t sporty
As most already know, the Verano is heavily based on the Opel Astra as well. The thing is, the sedan-only model is basically a baby LaCrosse; meaning it isn’t intended to be a sporty model. Verano neither looks nor performs like it is a “sporty” small car. The Astra GTC could slot is to cover the “sporty” end of the segment that Verano fails to capture.
3 – Pontiac and Saturn are dead
In the old GM world, the Astra GTC would be at home in the Pontiac or Saturn stable. In fact, Saturn had the last generation Astra GTC for a short time before its death. With both brands dead, Buick is left as the only logical recipient. Considering GM now lacks a performance/excitement/youth brand, Buick is going to have to attempt to play the role. Much like they have with the Regal GS.
4 – Chevrolet lacks an exciting compact car
Not that long ago Chevrolet had the Cobalt Coupe to capture buyers looking for a sporty small car. While the new Cruze is a terrific product, it is tough to deny that the car is intended to appeal as a left-brain, logical purchase. There is no coupe or even performance engine option for those that don’t buy a car simply because they have to have one. The new sub-compact Sonic is a more youthful car, but being a B-class product, it lacks some of the high-end options that would likely appeal to Gen Y.
5 – We (enthusiasts) will buy it
There is no question that the GTC would be a low-volume product in North America, specifically if positioned as a premium small hatch under the Buick nameplate. If the interest in this car within the online community is any indication, a large chunk of the buyers of this car would be enthusiasts; maximizing the low sales volume with word-of-mouth.
Most of us on GMI already know what it means to be an enthusiast. We’re the ones that all of the “normal” people go to for car advice. Couple that with the Astra GTC’s head-turning design makes for a catalyst for enthusiasts to change perceptions normal car buyers have about the Buick brand. Call it the trickle-down effect of the car buying hierarchy. The Regal GS is doing the same thing.
Said normal buyers may not have an interest in purchasing a three-door hatchback, but they may need a Regal or Encore."
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