The Ultimate Buick Regal Is Discontinued Discussion

[Zaxer]

You can probably either blame it on or thank the person/group who decided to sell the idea of the cladded TourX (and not any other version) to GM management as an adventure vehicle to steal sales away from the well selling Outback. That's how it was initially introduced with press photos of the TourX in the woods or by the lake with kayaks on the roof and driving down gravel roads. It would be interesting to talk to someone in the know. The sedan/sportback most likely was a given but I could see that there'd have been some resistance at some level to bringing the wagon version over in any form.

I think you’re spot on. It’s not as if GM didn’t make an attempt at a modern wagon with the Cadillac CTS - the automotive press especially loved the CTS-V. The CTS wagon was a decent attempt - they even went into the EU with it - but it didn’t translate in sales...

 

[Ghosthawk]

The Hellcat cars sell in low numbers at insane prices but its the image that counts. I'd never buy one but I'd love the look with the 300hp V6 all day. The TourX has all the practicality most of us need in something that doesnt look like a shoebox. Would I love a 300hp GS V6? Sure! but the LTG is a pretty darn good consolation prize. As mentioned above, GM was looking to take a bite out of Subaru, which I suspect Ford will try next with the Fusion/Mondeo estate, but again, they will be playing to the wrong audience. Plenty of us already have a SUV in the driveway as a workhorse, and that great for a second vehicle or a "spouse car" but others want something fun to drive. I can't stop laughing at how much money the automakers spend trying to "sports-car-ize" SUVs to fight the laws of physics. Those particular models dont sell in high numbers either. On MotorTrend I watched them bash a Jeep Trackhawk (LOL what a name) around a road course and I swear I thought the tires were gonna peel off the rims. 5k-plus lbs and you try and tell me its sporty? (with a price tag higher than my first house) I'd wager a 300hp TourX with similar tires would give that beast a fit. It might not keep up on the long straight but thru the bends its a whole other ball game.

 

[D2R]

Subaru fans are as hard to pry them off as wagon lovers.

 

[PrincipalDan]

You can probably either blame it on or thank the person/group who decided to sell the idea of the cladded TourX (and not any other version) to GM management as an adventure vehicle to steal sales away from the well selling Outback. That's how it was initially introduced with press photos of the TourX in the woods or by the lake with kayaks on the roof and driving down gravel roads. It would be interesting to talk to someone in the know. The sedan/sportback most likely was a given but I could see that there'd have been some resistance at some level to bringing the wagon version over in any form.

My assumption was that some "Car Guys" deep within the bowels of Buick leadership were pretty certain that the ONLY way the would get the GM mothership to allow them to bring the Opel wagon over is if they pitched the idea as an Outback competitor. Then the snuck it in with only an extra 1/2 in of ride height so that those of us in the know would be able to spot a Sportwagen a mile away.

 

[mike69440]

My assumption was that some "Car Guys" deep within the bowels of Buick leadership were pretty certain that the ONLY way the would get the GM mothership to allow them to bring the Opel wagon over is if they pitched the idea as an Outback competitor. Then the snuck it in with only an extra 1/2 in of ride height so that those of us in the know would be able to spot a Sportwagen a mile away.

What the TourX really needed was adaptive air lift suspension and some fancy shocks. I had the X soft off roading a bit and had I not gone easy, it would not been pretty. AWD worked, but limited by ground clearance. Having 4 Passengers did not help.

 

[Uniqez]

You can probably either blame it on or thank the person/group who decided to sell the idea of the cladded TourX (and not any other version) to GM management as an adventure vehicle to steal sales away from the well selling Outback. That's how it was initially introduced with press photos of the TourX in the woods or by the lake with kayaks on the roof and driving down gravel roads. It would be interesting to talk to someone in the know. The sedan/sportback most likely was a given but I could see that there'd have been some resistance at some level to bringing the wagon version over in any form.

Don't forget they called TourX a crossover at the beginning. Marketing department for this vehicle went down to shit. I was cross shopping between Outback and TourX. I knew about the tourX only because of the rumors that Opel is getting Buick badge.

 

[saab93driver]

Don't forget they called TourX a crossover at the beginning. Marketing department for this vehicle went down to shit. I was cross shopping between Outback and TourX. I knew about the tourX only because of the rumors that Opel is getting Buick badge.

It was a contest Buick was never going to win for a lot of reason but without the Outback target the TourX may never had made it to the US. My point was, and it's just a thought, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see GM bringing over the TourX just to bring over a wagon or to take on something like a V60 directly, not enough sales to cannibalize whereas the Outback sells quite well so there was some potential there that somebody high up probably agreed to give it a try. But it was a stillborn effort once Opel was sold and any hope Chevrolet making a Malibu wagon is dead.

 

[Uniqez]

It was a contest Buick was never going to win for a lot of reason but without the Outback target the TourX may never had made it to the US. My point was, and it's just a thought, maybe I'm wrong, but I don't see GM bringing over the TourX just to bring over a wagon or to take on something like a V60 directly, not enough sales to cannibalize whereas the Outback sells quite well so there was some potential there that somebody high up probably agreed to give it a try. But it was a stillborn effort once Opel was sold and any hope Chevrolet making a Malibu wagon is dead.

I'm glad they did try. And they probably knew about Opel - PSA deal ahead of time too. So all in all we have a wagon. Thanks for that. Giants like VW didn't even try to bring passat here after 2010.

 

[D2R]

I doubt they know about the Opel PSA deal so far ahead in the vehicle development schedule.
It was about 4 to 5 years back then.

 

[Uniqez]

I doubt they know about the Opel PSA deal so far ahead in the vehicle development schedule.
It was about 4 to 5 years back then.

No, I mean when they made decisions to bring this over to US, the deal was ready and PSA were taking over.
When they developed the vehicle - they definitely didn't know.

 

[D2R]

No, I mean when they made decisions to bring this over to US, the deal was ready and PSA were taking over.
When they developed the vehicle - they definitely didn't know.

They would definitely have decided to bring it over from the get go.
The regulations are different and would need to be planned ahead of time.

 

[Jack GS]

Looks like Buick continues to be loved in the growing Chinese market. I wish we still had non SUV options here, but I still enjoy seeing Buick cars live on somewhere I guess. Surprisingly, the Verano, Enclave, and GL8 were the highest ranking in their respective categories... No mention of the Regal.

Buick Ranks High In 2020 J.D. Power APEAL Study In China​

 

[Zaxer]

Looks like Buick continues to be loved in the growing Chinese market. I wish we still had non SUV options here, but I still enjoy seeing Buick cars live on somewhere I guess. Surprisingly, the Verano, Enclave, and GL8 were the highest ranking in their respective categories... No mention of the Regal.

Buick Ranks High In 2020 J.D. Power APEAL Study In China​

View attachment 26904

Buick is a top brand in China at the same time only five SUV models (not one of them a sedan or wagon - really?) are available in the United States...strange times indeed.

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

Time Buick US started cranking out these bad boys! This would make a statement LOL

 

[Jack GS]

Time Buick US started cranking out these bad boys! This would make a statement LOL
View attachment 26905

I couldn't find the pre-order submission on Buick's website, wth... 😉

 

[Zaxer]

Time Buick US started cranking out these bad boys! This would make a statement LOL
View attachment 26905

Sweet. I need the option code for the twin 50 caliber hood mounts!

 

[2007LucerneCXL]

I believe it's a export option only for South America on the Cartel Special Edition.

 

[BenD]

Do you think that because Regal's sales was a disaster then discontinued it will be profitable for owner as collectable car perspective? In 50 years 😄

 

[D2R]

Do you think that because Regal's sales was a disaster then discontinued it will be profitable for owner as collectable car perspective? In 50 years 😄

How do we keep them running for 50 years if we don't have parts?
(Sorry, just can't resist from going there.)

 

[BenD]

How do we keep them running for 50 years if we don't have parts?
(Sorry, just can't resist from going there.)

I know that will be the challenge for sure, that’s why that car will be rare in the futur probably, it’s already rare, in Canada in 2019 only 867 Regal’s as been sold and 10363 in US in 2020, 225 units in Canada and 2434 in US.

ref. Buick Regal Sales Figures