Buick Recommissions Regal Name
October 14, 2009
The refrain from General Motors Co.'s Buick division is that it wants to entice younger buyers to forget about Buick's car-for-the-Medicare-crowd reputation. But Buick announced today it's nonetheless resurrecting an old name for its next midsize car: the model will be called the Regal.
"The Regal name has played a very important role in Buick's history for many years and continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers, even though it's been out of the market for the past six years," Buick said today in a release.
In August, GM showed the media a midsize-sedan concept car but did not indicate the car's name, although it was speculated the Regal nameplate - still used in China - could be revived for the U.S. market.
The concept featured a prominent shoulder line, reminiscent of the Oldsmobile Aurora, that continued through the rear fenders, and deep door-panel sculpting.
It is believed the car will be an '11 model and share the front-wheel-drive, global midsize architecture of the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu, which also is used by Buick's new LaCrosse upper-midsizer.
"The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan," said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC general manager. "We're thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family." - Bill Visnic, senior contributing editor
Last generation of Buick Regal sold in the U.S., this a 2002 model. The Regal was discontinued in 2003. (courtesy General Motors Co.)
Posted by Bill Visnic at 10:10 AM under Companies , GM , News | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Memo to Fritz, Susan, Bob:
Why not call it the Y-Job? Let the Twenty Somethings come up with their Own derivation of the name.
Posted by: fulcrumb | October 14, 2009 at 2:31 PM