The Ultimate Buick Regal Is Discontinued Discussion

[greenne]

I honestly don't think comparing the Regal to the Aztec is fair or accurate. If I recall, the Aztec was not a "good" vehicle in the sense that it was widely panned by auto critics, reviewers, and customers. It didn't help that it was ugly..but there were other problems--quality control, crash test ratings, fuel economy to name a few.

On the other hand, the Regal has gotten generally positive reviews...it actually won a comparo test against the alltrack and outback.(I think it was Motor Trend). Customers(not just us weirdos) tend to have good reviews thus far. We can all agree it is a step up quality wise and competes well in its class.

The reason Regal sales are low has nothing to do with the quality of the vehicle..it has more to do with the failure of the marketing team and perhaps bad business decisions on the part of GM(i.e. the sale of Opel to PCA) The Aztec was a failure because it was frankly a bad car--the idea was good but execution was bad. People certainly knew about it and didn't buy it. The Regal is a good(perhaps great) car that didn't sell because nobody knew about it.

Big difference...IMHO.

 

[ready2fly]

Let's say GM management should be fired. They are killing the best car Buick currently has. New Regal drives much better than cheap-o Encore and a little better than their Enclave, which is just a big fat blob with 7 seats. I drove both of them, Regal is a clear winner.

I hope PSA/FCA brings it back to the US as a rebadged Dodge Magnum. It will sell well with proper marketing.

 

[TurboLover]

When I read the Buick exec comment that SUVs are 90% of sales (using as justification to kill the model), I had to ask myself, "why is that?" I know that sedan sales are cratering but many other manufacturers are doing much better in creating interest in their sedans. The Regal is the only Buick sedan in a mix of SUVs so it will not account for the majority of sales. Buick did nearly zero to market and promote the Regal in ads and social media. Maybe they had lower margin since built by Opel or PSA? The results are, to a degree, a self-fulfilling prophecy. The results should not be a surprise.

Also, up until my wife's Verano was totaled a few months ago, we owned two Buicks. So we were at the dealership several times a year for maintenance items. Never once did I see a Regal or TourX in the showroom - nor in the side or front lot where they keep new vehicles. I would always give a glance to see if they had any TourX models to view. Most customers are not passionate automobile people so if they do not see the model, they may not even know it exists.

 

[landsharkmz3]

When I read the Buick exec comment that SUVs are 90% of sales (using as justification to kill the model), I had to ask myself, "why is that?" I know that sedan sales are cratering but many other manufacturers are doing much better in creating interest in their sedans. The Regal is the only Buick sedan in a mix of SUVs so it will not account for the majority of sales. Buick did nearly zero to market and promote the Regal in ads and social media. Maybe they had lower margin since built by Opel or PSA? The results are, to a degree, a self-fulfilling prophecy. The results should not be a surprise.

Also, up until my wife's Verano was totaled a few months ago, we owned two Buicks. So we were at the dealership several times a year for maintenance items. Never once did I see a Regal or TourX in the showroom - nor in the side or front lot where they keep new vehicles. I would always give a glance to see if they had any TourX models to view. Most customers are not passionate automobile people so if they do not see the model, they may not even know it exists.

Self-fulfilling prophecy is the right way to put it.

 

[greenne]

The notion that there "is no market for sedans" is false, imho. If that were the case, Toyota wouldn't be selling a ton of Camrys and Avalons, Honda wouldn't be selling oodles of Accords and Civics. Its a bad excuse. There is still a sizable market there.

Ford and GM are using this false narrative to get people into SUVs because they make more profit per vehicle. If they can get get you into a $50-60 SUV vs a $35k sedan or wagon..it's a win. They figure a regular joe who is a "ford guy" or a "buick guy" is going to buy an enclave to replace his LaCrosse vs going to the Toyota Dealership to pick up an Avalon. I think its going to bite them in the A$$.

If any vehicle had a chance, I was the Regal because, quite frankly, they were just a bit unique(or weird) in a good way. The Sportback was a hatchback with space more than a typical sedan with european roots. The TourX was an affordable euro style wagon...in a market that doesn't have any other affordable wagon like it. The Outback is more "rugged" and lifted for the outdoor set, the alltrack was smaller, the volvos, BMWs, MBs way more expensive. GM had a great opportunity and they managed to F that up.

No marketing, little support at the dealers, no visability. It didn't sell because no one knew it existed..NOT because there isn't a market for it...

Its a shame but typical GM....

 

[greenne]

Let's say GM management should be fired. They are killing the best car Buick currently has. New Regal drives much better than cheap-o Encore and a little better than their Enclave, which is just a big fat blob with 7 seats. I drove both of them, Regal is a clear winner.

I hope PSA/FCA brings it back to the US as a rebadged Dodge Magnum. It will sell well with proper marketing.

They're not only killing the best car Buick has..they're killing the ONLY car Buick has...

 

[PrincipalDan]

As I saw cited in a GM authority article, 40% of Regal sales were the TourX AND the people buying TourXs had a higher average household income ($90,000) than the people buying ENCLAVES.

Let that sink in for a min.

The people who are buying Regals (the majority of them) you have lost them Buick. They don't want 3 cyl turbo abominations, they don't want a Chinese made CUV, and unless they suddenly have a bunch more kids they don't want a 3 row CUV.

Kiss us and our desirable demographics goodbye.

 

[landsharkmz3]

As I saw cited in a GM authority article, 40% of Regal sales were the TourX AND the people buying TourXs had a higher average household income ($90,000) than the people buying ENCLAVES.

Let that sink in for a min.

The people who are buying Regals (the majority of them) you have lost them Buick. They don't want 3 cyl turbo abominations, they don't want a Chinese made CUV, and unless they suddenly have a bunch more kids they don't want a 3 row CUV.

Kiss us and our desirable demographics goodbye.

And the TourX buyers are typically younger than average Buick owners as well.

I certainly did not buy this car because it was a Buick. I bought it because it was the right manifestation of a vehicle for the price. There were ZERO other GM vehicles I was interested in.

 

[TourXRDU]

And the TourX buyers are typically younger than average Buick owners as well.

I certainly did not buy this car because it was a Buick. I bought it because it was the right manifestation of a vehicle for the price. There were ZERO other GM vehicles I was interested in.

Yes this is an idiotic argument by the higher ups at GM, which is typical because they have been dumb for decades. A lot of people do want SUVs. Here's the kicker though if they do. THEY WANT GOOD ONES.

I bought the Regal TourX because it specifically was a wagon, the price was good, and the kicker was it was German to begin with. And I won't peruse the Buick showroom when I am done with this car. I will go get another sedan or wagon at another dealer.

And I also make over $90,000 and they have lost me.

 

[L J]

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More GM history .....protecting crappy Chevies.

 

[ntorch]

I just noticed Buick.com has totally removed the Tour-X from it's website. I would say this means no 2020 Tour-X sales. However, it still shows the 2019 Lacrosse and 2020 Regal Sportback and GX.

 

[bollox74]

If my TourX lasts as long as I hope it wil the CUV craze may have abetted and cars back in vogue.

Either that or it's on to another import brand in 8-10 years.

 

[1612202]

I just noticed Buick.com has totally removed the Tour-X from it's website. I would say this means no 2020 Tour-X sales. However, it still shows the 2019 Lacrosse and 2020 Regal Sportback and GX.

The 2020 Tourx is still on the Buick Website.

 

[D2R]

I just noticed Buick.com has totally removed the Tour-X from it's website. I would say this means no 2020 Tour-X sales. However, it still shows the 2019 Lacrosse and 2020 Regal Sportback and GX.

Site Maintenance

They still list the puppy in "SUV & Crossovers".
Those idiots at marketing...

 

[ntorch]

http://[URL]https://www.buick.com/crossovers/regal/tourx

[/URL]

They still list the puppy in "SUV & Crossovers".
Those idiots at marketing...

oops, I missed that.

 

[greenne]

http://[URL]https://www.buick.com/crossovers/regal/tourx

[/URL]

They still list the puppy in "SUV & Crossovers".
Those idiots at marketing...

If memory serves me correctly...about a year-18 months ago GM was marketing the TourX as a Crossover. It was first listed on buick.com under the SUVs and crossovers tab. Then..I think it moved to either a wagon or car tab(I can't remember) for most of the last year. Now it appears to be back under the SUV and crossovers tab.

I wonder WTH is going on..are they grasping at straws trying to sell the inventory they have before abandonment?

 

[JoeBlog]

This whole episode has “shoot self in foot. Reload. Repeat” written all over it on the part of the brainiacs in GM’s upper management. Next, they’re gonna need assistance finding their butts with both hands.

 

[Idano]

Never fear, for the last 2 years Mazda has talked about bringing the Mazda 6 wagon back to the shores of America. I'm quite certain that their marketing genius' will be able to sell over 100,000 units the first year they launch.

 

[jclin4]

Here’s a Mazda-based car, considered a good one, that is also ending production:

Fiat 124 Spider Reportedly Set to End Production Soon

 

[SpencerK]

This is sad news. We were also looking at the VW Arteon (too new) and the Audi A5 sportback. I guess that is were we will be headed when we need our next sedan.

My parents just bought the sportback Audi, very nice. No TourX though... 😉