Buick chose a grand way to celebrate the arrival of their newest model, giving a few the chance to drive the car through its German birthplace. After spending a couple of days in Beijing, visiting the auto show and taking in some time at a local Buick dealer, we flew to Frankfurt to experience the car at GM's Dudenhof test facility, along the autobahn and German country roads on the way to the Nurburgring, and for one lap each of the famed Nordschweife itself.

You may ask why all this globetrotting for such an American brand. While Buick's roots are firmly planted in Detroit, China is a far larger market for Buick right now than the United States. In China, Buick outsells Chevrolet, though the gap is small. Buick is on track to sell more than 500,000 vehicles in China this year; in the States, Buick closed out 2009 selling only 102,000 cars. The last time the U.S. market bought up more than 500,000 Buicks in one year was in 1994.

We have the Chinese market to thank for Buick surviving bankruptcy. And for what you will find at Buick dealers today and tomorrow, including Regal, there is reason to be grateful. Today's Buicks are again graceful, quiet, and responsive and good to drive in a whole new way--they take the brand's traditional values and express them in modern context.

Continue reading "2011 Buick Regal: First Drive Takes Us Around the World" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 5:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Cadillac's owners' cumulative scores for each Cadillac model in AutoPacific's 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction research have given Cadillac a win in the race to be best brand overall. Cadillac outpoints Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Lincoln and Buick (top Popular Brand). This is Cadillac's seventh win in the past eleven years. Winning so often is testament that Cadillac is selling to buyers who really appreciate their vehicles.

The Cadillac Escalade Luxury Sport Utility Vehicle is the only Cadillac winning its class outright, but the CTS, the STS, the DTS and the SRX scored well enough to move Cadillac into overall leadership.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by George Peterson at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Buick and Cadillac Win Top Brand Awards Buick wins the AutoPacific 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Award for top Popular Brand. Buick's feat completes a General Motors sweep of brand winners - Cadillac wins as top Premium Brand.

With three vehicles - LaCrosse, Lucerne and Enclave - Buick has achieved superior scores overall topping Honda, Ford, GMC, Mercury and Hyundai among Popular Brands. Some might contend Buick is a Premium Brand. If Buick had been included in the Premium Brand list it would have come in behind Cadillac, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Lincoln. Buick's performance is excellent whatever class the brand is entered into.

Class Without Ostentation With a "mature" buyer base, Buick has to score highly in ease of use, easy to get into and out of, comfort and quietness. A Buick buyer demands transportation that does not challenge them or their neighbors. They want a vehicle that conveys class without ostentation. With Buick, they have it.

For a complete list of winners and description of the Awards, click here.

Posted by George Peterson at 4:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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National Survey Reveals Cadillac as Top Premium Brand, Buick as Top Popular Brand, Ford Motor Company Has Most Awards with Seven, Suzuki Kizashi as Top Car and Lincoln MKT as Top Truck

TUSTIN, Calif. (May 20, 2010) -- AutoPacific today announced its 14th Annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions.

"While the auto industry is showing signs of improvement, more than ever before, manufacturers need to be able to differentiate themselves. Proof of satisfied customers is as good as gold," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We've found that more than 25% of new car buyers are positively influenced by owner-based awards like the VSA when deciding on a new car or truck."

AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award is an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied an owner is with his/her new car or light truck. This study by the Southern California-based automotive research firm summarizes the results of over 42,000 new vehicle owners.

"Vehicles that score highest in the Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are delivering value and satisfaction across a wide range of attributes," says Peterson. "The winners perform well in 48 separate categories that objectively measure the ownership experience."

Continue reading "Autopacific Announces 2010 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 6:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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Being a company focused firmly forward, we don't talk used cars much. But a program like this deserves some virtual ink.

Recalls have been in the news this year like rarely before. The depth and scope of Toyota's problems has increased sensitivity to any manufacturer's recalls--and make no mistake, there are many issued. Most not so severe as Toyota's problems with accelerator shims, but out there all the same.

Half of the equation for ensuring cars on the road have had any recall work performed is in the owner's hands. Often, owners ignore recall notices, particularly for minor issues, or figure it'll get handled with the next oil change, to have it fall off today's crowded to-do lists.

GM and Carfax announced a measure of help for anyone looking to purchase a used vehicle, making it easier to find out if the car was affected by a recall and if the work was done. GM is providing VINs to Carfax of millions of Buicks, Cadillacs, Chevrolets, GMCs, Saabs, Saturns, Pontiacs, and Hummers with open recalls.

Continue reading "Recalls and Used-Car Shopping: GM and Carfax Team Up" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 4:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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We recently spent a morning with Buick LaCrosse, the star of the Buick showroom for 2010MY. You know by now that Buick is one of the four core brands that GM retained post-bankruptcy. Wildly successful in China, the brand has challenges in the States, evidenced by Chevrolet Camaro outselling the entire brand in June 2009-- an atypically high month for Camaro that also speaks to the sad shape of Buick sales today.

Buick needs to connect with buyers who have not hit exit-level, and they know it. Based on our first drive, the 2010 LaCrosse has product credibility to build on the success Enclave started. As Buick navigates a renaissance inspired by Cadillac's success, the LaCrosse is a strong, firm step forward.

Continue reading "2010 Buick LaCrosse Finds a Sweet Spot" »

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Public Responds Positively to Ford's Actions, but Some Still Have Reservations
TUSTIN, Calif. (June 17, 2009) -- American consumers' opinions about Ford Motor Company have been positively influenced by the company's decision not to accept government bailout funds, and by the bankruptcy filings of rivals General Motors and Chrysler. Automotive research and analysis firm AutoPacfic conducted an online survey of more than 900 U.S. consumers regarding their purchase intent and opinions of individual car companies. Highlights include:

* Asian and European manufacturers scored highest when the survey asked "How concerned are you about buying/leasing a vehicle from" a particular maker, with an average of 61% "Not concerned at all." Ford scored 48%, far ahead of GM's 15% and Chrysler's 14%.

Continue reading "Survey Indicates Ford Benefits From Troubles Of Others And Not Taking Bailout" »

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Continue reading "Does Bailout Money End Up Killing GM?" »

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Buick introduces the latest LaCrosse in Detroit. The mid-size sedan segment is still the largest, and with a three-vehicle lineup, LaCrosse is critical to Buick success. The LaCrosse is also the first U.S. production Buick to have its exterior styling led by GM's group in China. Don't let the idea discourage you; this is a good-looking sedan. Buick also ups the ante with technology features (side assist and adaptive forward headlights among them) to the brand and a notably improved interior (designed in the States). There are new engines, as well as available all-wheel drive for some models. The new LaCrosse will go on sale later in 2009.

More photos and the full release follow the jump.

Continue reading "2009 NAIAS: 2010 Buick LaCrosse" »

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Are we nearing the end of Chrysler? Or the beginning of a new blended family? Or just another day at the rumor mill?
Late on Friday, the first stories began appearing about GM and Chrysler in possible merger talks. And at least in Detroit, dominated the weekend news cycle. GM's stock went up this morning, but given that the Dow was up 5.6% and GM went up only about 3%, the stock bump might have happened without merger talk. GM closed on Friday at $4.89, a number some say is actually less than the company would be worth in capital assets alone.

All of this merger talk, whether these deals are realistic or not, does nothing good for public perception. The economy is weak, last week's events on the stock market don't reassure anyone, and talking about GM and Chrysler perhaps needing to merge to survive only further erodes confidence in American business. While GM and Chrysler LLC, as well as any other maker in trouble right now, needs to consider even unthinkable options and test our common assumptions as they get out of this trouble, this merger does not inspire hope.

Continue reading "Exhaust Notes #32: More Detroit Merger Talk" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 1:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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We have now driven all three General Motors Lambda Crossover SUVs on the market and the all-new Ford Flex Crossover SUV. While we have had a week apiece in the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave, we'll use the Enclave as the comparison vehicle because it is most recent.

Continue reading "2009 Ford Flex vs. 2008 Buick Enclave - On the Road Comparison" »

Posted by George Peterson at 6:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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On August 3, I finally returned to one of my favorite summer events, the annual Meadow Brook Concours d' Elegance. Held the first weekend of August every year since 1979, this Concours is one of the premier events of its type. Not quite as prestigious as the Pebble Beach Concours happening the weekend of August 16 (yes, the same weekend as Detroit's Woodward Dream Cruise), Meadow Brook has earned a strong reputation. For me, it's simply a chance to wander among cars from storied brands of today and yesterday. Delahaye, Packard, Auburn, Duesenburg, Pierce-Arrow, Studebaker, Peugeot, Ferrari, Cadillac, Lincoln, Chrysler, Rolls-Royce, the list goes on and on.

Meadow Brook is home to a mansion of the same name built by the widow of John Dodge, one of the two Dodge brothers that helped establish the automotive industry we know today. The home and its property now belongs to Oakland University. Aside from the sheer joy and pleasure of celebrating the automobile as an art from, the event's purpose is to raise funds for upkeep of the 88,000-square-foot mansion and its grounds. Seems a fitting choice of fundraising event.

Continue reading "2008 Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance" »

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Pulling double duty – it essentially replaces both the Rendezvous and Rainier -- the Buick Enclave has not only caught the attention of a much larger and much younger demographic, it has earned a reputation as 2008’s Ideal Vehicle in the Luxury Crossover SUV category. Owners reported that the interior is spacious, with generous passenger room and interior storage. Its interior lighting, safety and ample technology compliment the exterior styling, wheels and tires and ride.

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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After a lovely 4th of July weekend, doing my best to focus energies on anything not related to work (something I hear is easy for most people to do, but I've never quite got the knack of), I started my usual workday morning routine at my local Bally Total Fitness. And, sure enough, as soon as I get near the gym TV, there's the news, dragging me right back to 5:15 am Monday morning reality.

The 5 am scoop in Detroit was the rumor GM is considering dumping more brands, one way or another, and firing more mid-management white-collar employees. (No, UAW, you do not have the corner on losing jobs. I swear.) Of course, by time I was in the office and caught up with e-mail, GM has flatly denied that any brand, other than Hummer, is up for review. We'll only know the truth of that if GM manages to hold onto the seven remaining brands, and assuming Hummer is sold. Here's the thing: If GM is not considering reducing their brand count, they should be.

Rumors actually surfaced on this subject last week. In fact, I'm pretty sure it was on my way home to enjoy said holiday weekend that I heard an automotive journalist being interviewed for his opinions on the rumors and what GM should do opine that Saab and Saturn are the likeliest brands to go. Monday morning and it's groundhog day again. Between that interview and Monday morning, it turned into "news" that GM is considering selling those two brands. Says a lot about how quickly (and recklessly) rumors and speculation fly in this industry, but that's a story for another day.

Continue reading "Exhaust Note #19: Is GM Breaking Up?" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 3:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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With high scores in ride, power and acceleration, the Buick LaCrosse wins the 2008 Ideal Vehicle Award in the Luxury Mid-Size Car segment. Refined chassis tuning and its Stabilitrac system helped the LaCrosse came out on top.

Owners’ preference for Chevrolet Malibu’s exterior styling, exterior size and passenger room helped the car bring home a 2008 IVA award in the Premium Mid-Size Car category. High marks for the level of technology, seat firmness, and interior lighting augment the victory.

Posted by Katrina Ohlemacher at 1:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Tustin, California, June 30, 2008 – An “ideal” is defined as an excellent or perfect example. In the annual Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), announced today by automotive research and consulting firm AutoPacific, owners rate their new 2008 model year cars and trucks by how close they come to their ideal, as measured by 15 key vehicle attributes. The cars or trucks that owners would change the least are the most ideal.

Continue reading "AutoPacific Announces 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards" »

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Acura’s RDX was in the top rank of Luxury Crossover SUVs in the 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. Owners gave high marks to its Innovative Technology and Audio System. Driver’s Seat Visibility also scored very high, as did Handling. With a 240-horsepower, turbocharged engine, the RDX also scored very well in the Power and Acceleration department.

Buick Enclave owners placed the vehicle in the top rank of the Luxury Crossover SUV Segment in AutoPacific’s 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards. Buick touts “Quiet Tuning” as one of Enclave’s strengths, and it received high ratings for Quietness Inside the Vehicle and Ride. High Safety Features scores also bolstered the Enclave’s victory.

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Tustin, California, May 29, 2008 - A study released today by noted automotive consulting firm AutoPacific, Inc. summarizes the results of its 2008 model year vehicle satisfaction research. AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award (VSA) is an industry benchmark for objectively measuring how satisfied an owner is with their new passenger car or light truck.

In a year that promises to be the toughest in a decade, owner-based awards like AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Award will help customers make their purchase decisions.

The brand with the highest satisfaction rating is Cadillac. The vehicle - car or truck - registering highest overall satisfaction in 2008 is the new-for-2008 Toyota Sequoia Large Sport Utility Vehicle. The passenger car with the highest overall satisfaction score is the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

There are twenty-eight Vehicle Satisfaction Award categories. At the manufacturer level, multiple top ranked award winners include: General Motors (eleven categories), Toyota (nine categories), Ford (six categories), Volkswagen (four categories), Honda (three categories) and Hyundai (two categories).

"Cadillac wins the Vehicle Satisfaction Award as the top brand in a close race. Strong satisfaction performance by Cadillac cars and trucks has Cadillac winning over other leading luxury marques including Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW says AutoPacific president George Peterson. "Top ranked finishes by Cadillac's Escalade, CTS and DTS helped cement their industry topping position."

Peterson continues, "Vehicles that are all new received top rankings in several categories: Cadillac CTS, Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Lancer, Scion xD, Toyota Sequoia, Audi Q7, Buick Enclave, Hyundai Veracruz, GMC Acadia, Saturn Vue and Nissan Rogue. These new-for-2008 vehicles were strongly rated by their owners showing that the industry continues to improve as new vehicles are added to the hotly contested American car and light truck markets."

From a vehicle type perspective, Traditional Sport Utility Vehicles received the highest ratings as a class closely followed by Crossover Sport Utility Vehicles. Peterson says, "Clearly, SUVs continue to be one of the most popular and satisfying vehicle types available in the USA today. Even with skyrocketing gas prices, SUVs are attractive and Crossover SUVs fill the bill for most SUV buyers with better fuel economy." Cars scored slightly below industry average followed by minivans and pickup trucks.

Continue reading "AutoPacific Announces 2008 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards" »

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Went up to Santa Monica on Monday, April 17 expecting to drive the new Pontiac G8 and Pontiac Vibe, but Buick Pontiac GMC management slipped in a new Buick Lucerne Super to drive as well. You know the Lucerne. It's a modern interpretation of the General Motors Land Barge. We've evaluated both 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder Lucernes before and like the car. It's big, comfortable, effortless to drive. It's a car that won't turn off Buick's 72 year old buyer base.

Lucerne Super - Evolves Buick DNA

Well, the Lucerne Super is a bit different. As Engineering Program Manager Karen Nicklin explains, "This is not your bloaty boaty Buick". She's right. The car feels solid and confident at its first movement. The steering is quicker. The suspension is tauter. The engine is stronger (by only 17-horsepower for a total of 292HP). Dynamically, these adjustments result in a car that feels competent and confidence inspiring. It is not a sports sedan by any means, but it is a damn fine big sedan.

Nicklin is with GM's Performance Division. They work on things like the Buick LaCrosse Super, the Chevrolet Cobalt SS, the Cadillac CTS-V... the stuff that drivers like to drive.

So, you'd expect the upgrades on the Lucerne to be only performance enhancing. Au contraire! There are numerous exterior and interior detail upgrades as well. Super has a unique front fascia and bolder grille while carrying over the fenders and hood. The rear can be distinguished by larger exhausts. Nicklin admits to being first an interior engineer and it shows in the attention to detail in the interior: Leather padded instrument panel cover. Different material tones on the instrument panel appliques. Unique steering wheel, etc.

Give Buick Buyers the Opportunity to Drive the Best

Interestingly, the Lucerne Super is not in the lineup to bring in droves of new buyers. Its volume expectations are relatively modest at 6,000 units per year (500 per month). And it is not to drive down the age of the Buick buyer base. It is to provide those discerning Lucerne customers who want uncompromising transportation the opportunity to drive the best. Interesting strategy.

Priced at $40,000 with the only major options being a Navigation System, moonroof and chrome wheels, Lucerne provides an excellent car that should appeal to Buick buyers who want to drive rather than be driven... and may even bring in new customers to the Buick store. The car is in production now and should just be arriving at Buick dealerships around the country.

Posted by George Peterson at 2:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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General Motors has now completed the launch of its Lambda platform Large Crossover SUVs. The Lambda platform includes vehicles from Saturn - the Outlook, GMC - the Acadia (not ARcadia) and Buick - the Enclave). Eventually, a Chevrolet version will be added as well.

These are the landmark vehicles that represent the end of the classic body-on-frame V8 powered SUV. They are that good.

I just returned from a driving event for the recently introduced Buick Enclave in St. Louis, Missouri. When I got into the office there was a Saturn Outlook in the parking lot for the AutoPacific and VehicleVoice staff to evaluate. Great opportunity for a back to back comparison of two Lambda crossovers. This story will concentrate on the Enclave - a future story will showcase the Outlook.

Buick Enclave - First Drive

First, lets talk about the Buick. This is a vehicle that I have been waiting to drive for two years now. I think I have been to three events where Enclave was a featured subject, but this was the first opportunity I have had to drive it. Why was I looking forward to the Enclave? From my perspective it is a good size, has expressive styling inside and out, and is an example of the latest General Motors platform architecture.

Was it what I was expecting? Yeah, I guess so. First, I had to calibrate myself to the fact that the Enclave is a BUICK and what General Motors was attempting to achieve when they developed the vehicle. They wanted a vehicle with Buick ambiance - expressive, upscale styling inside and out. They wanted a spacious crossover capable of seating seven or eight passengers in three rows of seats. It was to have excellent ergonomics and be very pleasant to drive. It was to be very quiet. Check the boxes and the Lambda design and development team appears to have achieved their objectives.

Continue reading "2008 Buick Enclave - Top Line GM Lambda Crossover SUV" »

Posted by George Peterson at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

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The Saturn Outlook is a large Crossover SUV based on the General Motors' Lambda platform. The Lambda platform is shared with the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia and also with an upcoming Chevrolet large Crossover.

Has GM Nailed Crossover SUV Execution?

First, you might be asking "what is a Crossover SUV"? For years, we at VehicleVoice have been avoiding using the "crossover" word because, frankly, our research shows that consumers are not yet using the term widely. In our eyes, an SUV is an SUV is an SUV. Our chief industry oracle, Jim Hall, always referred to Crossovers as "mongrelhalfbreedbastards". But, with vehicles like the Outlook hitting the market we've decided to use the Crossover moniker.

Basically, a Crossover SUV takes the basic SUV theme and civilizes it. SUV drivers have for decades been asking for more maneuverable, more economical, more easy to live with SUVs. Crossover SUVs are the answer and the GM Lambda vehicles are the latest examples of Crossover SUV design and execution. We think GM has pretty well nailed it.

Pricing Makes Outlook a Persuasive Proposition

The Saturn Outlook XR that we evaluated is a mid-priced model listing at about $33,250. When you check the boxes you really want - like all wheel drive and a navigation system the price slips over $41,000. When you check ALL the boxes and add a moonroof and rear seat entertainment system you can touch $45,000. For a Saturn!

While you might think that is a high price, the base, base, base price of the FWD Outlook XE (the lower model) is about $28,000 including destination. This puts it mid-way between the base price of a Ford Explorer and Expedition. Given that Outlook is about the size of a Chevrolet Tahoe - priced about $4,000 more with a V8, the Saturn looks like a good deal.

Continue reading "2007 Saturn Outlook - Lambda Crossover SUV" »

Posted by George Peterson at 10:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

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Only days ahead of the 2007 New York Auto Show, Buick revealed its 2008 model year Lucerne and LaCrosse, as well as announcing the return of the Super trim level. Though not used in fifty years, Buick's mid-twentieth-century Super models indicated the top of the range, the most special, premium Buicks you could get. Supers appeared in Buick's range from 1940 to 1950 (not including WWII years, of course). Among them were the 1940 Super Estate Wagon and the 1958 Super Riviera Coupe. It may be a stretch to see Buick as the Super brand it used to be, but these powertrain updates give Buick top-end bragging rights among front-drive large luxury cars. (We first brought you news of the LaCrosse Super back in May 2006.)

Fast forward to 2008MY, and V8 power is at the core of both the new Lucerne and LaCrosse Super, though not the same V8. Both also get new, large waterfall grilles similar to the Velite concept of 2004 as well as the 2008 Enclave SUV for a the 2008 range that looks more like a family. The adaptation of the large, flowing grille is better done on the LaCrosse than the Lucerne, though both result in a heavy-looking nose.

OPINION

VehicleVoice and AutoPacific staffers are quick to compliment General Motors for adding higher power and higher performance models to their lineup. Adding the Super models to the Buick LaCrosse and Lucerne brings back credibility to the Buick lineup and should attract "mature" well-heeled drivers to the cars. Buick has always been the car for the country doctor or dentist or the town lawyer (probably now driving a BMW). These are cars that they will not have to apologize for, but will take time for them to be noticed.

The Management

Continue reading "Buick Revives Super: 2007 New York Auto Show" »

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SUVs are NOT DEAD - Sport Utility Vehicles Remain Top Considered Vehicle Segment

For as long as I can remember, the New York Times and eastern media have been taking SUVs to task. While many of the people writing these stories don't own a vehicle or even drive a car or truck, they have decided that the Sport Utility Vehicle is the poster child for social irresponsibility. No matter what they say, folks continue to gravitate to SUVs. We have the data.

For the past thirteen years, Sport Utility Vehicles have been the product segment that is most considered by American driving public. 2006 was a traumatic year for SUVs. High fuel prices dampened demand for large truck-based SUVs, but in 2006 as for more than a decade, demand for SUVs was highest among AutoPacific’s seven macro product segments. When consideration for contemporary SUVs – Crossover Sport Utility Vehicles or XSUVs – is included, consideration goes even higher.

Clearly America’s love affair for this Swiss Army Knife of vehicles has not waned, nor has demand by Americans for a vehicle type that can do many different things. We used to say that people bought SUVs because they can go anywhere, go anytime, go with anything, go with anybody… an SUV could do it all. Meeting these criteria – especially the go anywhere aspect of the equation yielded SUVs that were too capable. They could go off-road over rough terrain through tough climate conditions. Even though most buyers never used them for what they were capable of, they were designed to have off-road credibility.

Let it be XSUV: Let's officially coin our term for Crossover SUVs. These are not simply "crossovers", after all, you could have a crossover of almost any two products. We don't want to call them CUVs - Crossover Utility Vehicles - because that dilutes what they really are supposed to be. The right term is Crossover SUV. This clearly defines that this is an SUV based on a car platform - something not quite as capable as body-on-frame traditional SUVs. So, for now on, it's XSUVs.

Carmakers Responded to Buyers with Crossover SUVs: By the end of the ‘90s, manufacturers began to respond to buyers’ demand for slightly softer product characteristics. For awhile terms like “soft-roaders”, “cute-utes” were used to describe vehicles like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V and even the Lexus RX300. Inside the car companies engineers and designers were referring to these types of vehicles as Crossovers. And while the buyer rarely refers to his Ford Escape, Chevrolet Equinox, or Honda Pilot as a Crossover SUV, that is what they are. They are not designed for off-roading, but they are designed to provide comfortable, maneuverable, efficient transportation in the suburbs and on vacation.

VehicleVoice internet survey panel members and respondents to AutoPacific's annual Future Vehicle Survey have responded about what type of transportation they will consider next time they buy. Selected details are below the fold.

Continue reading "SUVs are NOT Dead" »

Posted by George Peterson at 9:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Data

Through November, 2006 Minivan sales were 6.0% of the U.S. light vehicle industry. That's down from 6.5% of industry in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and as much as 7.9% back in 1999 and 2000.

Is that down? Yes, no question about it. But is it out? No, I don't think so. Despite what some commentators say, it still represents 1.0 million units per year. That's a lot more than the sporty coupe (Mustang, Tiburon etc) market that GM and Chrysler are planning on entering with the new Camaro and Challenger.

Ford and General Motors Abandon Minivan Market

As a reminder about what is happening in the Minivan market, Ford has already dropped out of the market killing first its slow selling Mercury Monterey Minivan and now the Ford Freestar. As of November 2006, Ford completely stopped producing Minivans and now are selling off inventory. General Motors has announced they are killing their U-Vans and abandoning the Minivan market altogether. This will take a year or two.

The Minivan market may... no, make that WILL... decline with the withdrawal of GM and Ford from direct participation in the segment, but that means all the more for Toyota, Honda, Chrysler/Dodge, and Hyundai/Kia. Once again, good luck trumps planning skill. Or does it?

The Lesson

It seems clear that those companies offering the best Minivans (Honda, Toyota, Chrysler) are doing just fine. Sales are good...and so are profits. But those companies offering mediocre Minivans (essentially GM and Ford) are way down in both sales and profits.

The US is the wealthiest country the world has ever seen. And those folks who buy new vehicles can afford a really good product. Yes, price (like appearance) is always important. But it isn't the all-important driving factor. Pride and prestige are also factors for new vehicle buyers. Build a product people really want to buy, and you can make a profit. Sell essentially on price, and you will find there is virtually no profit in the game at all.

The Future

The Minivan market will probably decline some, with the withdrawal of GM and Ford and the increased availability of XSUVs (Crossover Sport Utility Vehicles). But a lot of Minivan buyers I talk to really like their Minivan. It is very practical given their needs, and those that buy them (unlike those who would not consider one) are usually not bothered by the Minivan-Mom image. Two sliding rear doors and 7/8 passenger, accessible, 3-row seating are Minivan hallmarks that no other vehicle type can match.

The segment may be down (say 10%, maybe 15%), but it is not out yet. Those manufacturers that stay the course, and make a great Minivan, will make healthy profits in this challenging segment.

Credentials - AutoPacific's Minivan Consultancy

Each year, I have had the "pleasure" of authoring AutoPacific's Minivan Consultancy. This research report summarizes the experiences of thousands of Minivan owners with their new Minivans. Some are very, very happy. Some are not. What the data give me is unequalled input from the people most important to the Minivan market... the owners. Who is listening? Honda, Toyota, Kia, Chrysler. GM and Ford did not (or could not) invest in keeping their Minivans competitive enough to fend off the Japanese

Posted by Jim Hossack at 12:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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General Motors is rolling out three new crossover SUVs that share an all-new, purpose-built platform. GM has called this platform Lambda for internal purposes. The Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia are on sale now and the Buick Enclave arrives in summer 2007 as a 2008MY vehicle. These crossover SUVs are taking on not only traditional and crossover mid-size SUVs but also full-size SUVs and minivans due to their large size and dimensions (they are nearly as large as the Chevrolet Tahoe). They do not have the towing capability of truck-based SUVs, but do have the other attributes for which buyers go to SUVs, or minivans. They have high seating positions, available AWD, and interiors big enough to hold seven passengers or lots of stuff.

Following the roll-out of the Lambda crossover SUVs, General Motors will kill their conventional minivans (similar to Ford's strategy of killing the Monterey and Freestar minivans). The Pontiac Montana SV6 is already history and its demise will be followed by the Chevrolet Uplander, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza. Oh, yeah, Chevrolet will get a Lambda Crossover SUV in the next year or so as well.

AutoPacific and VehicleVoice analysts have been included in the reviews of these critically important General Motors vehicles.

General Motors describes their current state as an interior renaissance, and these products are examples of smart interior thinking. They include a level of interior detail not before seen from the General. As these products were developed with a clean slate, new platform, new interiors, new powertrain, GM took the opportunity to make sure they will be easy to live with.

The second- and third-row folding operations are simple and easy to use and the overall package is terrific. One could buy any one of these vehicles and spend the life of the vehicle discovering all the little things that will add up to a product that enhances and eases daily life. It's taken GM a very long time to get to such a solid package design, but they have finally succeeded.

Continue reading "A Three-Row Triple From GM: 2007 Saturn Outlook, 2007 GMC Acadia, 2008 Buick Enclave" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 9:44 AM | Permalink

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