The Ultimate Buick Regal Is Discontinued Discussion

[mike69440]

Is it the only GMC/Buick/Chevy dealer in a large city in the state ? Only dealers with those brands around here, are in small towns like Pahrump.

The United States Census Bureau estimates the population of New Hampshire was 1,356,458 on July 1, 2018, plus maybe 10 -15 TourX wagons?

 

[L J]

The United States Census Bureau estimates the population of New Hampshire was 1,356,458 on July 1, 2018, plus maybe 10 -15 TourX wagons?

Almost forgot I bought TourX from Findlay Buick GMC Chevy in Bullhead City, since they were only dealer around with vehicle equipped as I wanted.

 

[Jwmsa17]

I'm a Sr FA by trade, so the transaction price differential of cars vs Crossovers makes sense to me since it affects the profit margin of the vehicle and subsequently the overall profitability of that model line.

 

[L J]

If only Caddy was going to make a AWD 360 HP CT5-V in wagon form with Supercruise ....

2020 Cadillac CT5-V has 355 hp and Super Cruise tech - Roadshow

 

[D2R]

I'm a Sr FA by trade, so the transaction price differential of cars vs Crossovers makes sense to me since it affects the profit margin of the vehicle and subsequently the overall profitability of that model line.

The issue with that is, it basically cut off people who can afford a car but not the higher priced crossover.
By giving up that segment, the Detroit 3 are basically sending some customers to competitors for life.
So, they got a higher profit margin in the short term, but losing customers in the long term as a trade off.
And when they face with another gas price spike, I do not want to be around Motown to see them fail again. 😢

 

[garbageguy]

I'm a Sr FA by trade, so the transaction price differential of cars vs Crossovers makes sense to me since it affects the profit margin of the vehicle and subsequently the overall profitability of that model line.

Yep, the perceived bottom line $ is usually the ultimate driver of business decisions. Why is the profit margin on non-cars so much better, and perceived to be staying that way?

 

[PrincipalDan]

Yep, the perceived bottom line $ is usually the ultimate driver of business decisions. Why is the profit margin on non-cars so much better, and perceived to be staying that way?

I'm sure someone will give a scientific answer but part of the problem (for car people) is that the transaction price on a compact CUV is essentially the same as the one on a midsize car. A RAV4 sells for close to the same price as a Camry and I highly doubt that the difference in the amount of material that goes into the construction of each is significant.

Or to put it this way, GM killed the Impala but will happily sell you a Blazer for more money. (The two being close in passenger space per the official measurements used in advertising, car reviews, EPA classifications, etc.)

 

[garbageguy]

I'm sure someone will give a scientific answer but part of the problem (for car people) is that the transaction price on a compact CUV is essentially the same as the one on a midsize car. A RAV4 sells for close to the same price as a Camry and I highly doubt that the difference in the amount of material that goes into the construction of each is significant.

Or to put it this way, GM killed the Impala but will happily sell you a Blazer for more money. (The two being close in passenger space per the official measurements used in advertising, car reviews, EPA classifications, etc.)

Unfortunately, I think you're right. So are those like me that want cars (like the TourX) at the mercy of so many other people that will pony-up for these other high-margin, who cares what they are, vehicles?

 

[1612202]

My 31 year old son had been driving a 2013 Equinox (my hand me down). When he bought his first new car last January he bought a Hyundai Elantra. I was surprised by the choice but he said most of his friends don't want an SUV and are opting for hatchbacks. Who are the American manufactures asking for their opinions on current automotive tastes?

 

[PrincipalDan]

My 31 year old son had been driving a 2013 Equinox (my hand me down). When he bought his first new car last January he bought a Hyundai Elantra. I was surprised by the choice but he said most of his friends don't want an SUV and are opting for hatchbacks. Who are the American manufactures asking for their opinions on current automotive tastes?

I don't think it's that complicated, many manufacturers are getting caught in the "next quarterly report" mentality and don't give two figs about long term. Henry Ford II supposedly said: "Small cars, small profits." the current era revision of that statement would simply be: "Cars = small profits."

When you get outside the enthusiast realm the guys who would have bought an Impala/Caprice in 1967, 1977, 1987 are now buying 1/2 ton crew cabs. As one commentator on another site said: "Just start putting toneau covers on them at the factory and we can ditch all pretense that these aren't high riding sedans."

When I met my wife she had a 2005 Pontiac Vibe (kept it until 2016) and god forbid you referred to it as anything other than a CUV. She traded for a 2016 Terrain and was so happy to be a couple of inches higher off the ground, never mind that the Terrain feels like driving a tippy bar-stool.

I went from a 1997 Escort wagon (lost in a divorce) to a 2004 F150 Heritage (good at being a trucky feeling truck) to a 2010 Highlander V6 4wd and I couldn't wait to get back to a lower center of gravity and driving something that wasn't just designed to go in a straight line.

But we are enthusiasts here (by-in-large) and we do not represent the general motoring public. One of the many reasons that I bought the TourX is that it might help infuse a little bit of automotive passion into my 5 year old and my 16 month old.

 

[D2R]

My 31 year old son had been driving a 2013 Equinox (my hand me down). When he bought his first new car last January he bought a Hyundai Elantra. I was surprised by the choice but he said most of his friends don't want an SUV and are opting for hatchbacks. Who are the American manufactures asking for their opinions on current automotive tastes?

It is the same mentality that each generation do not want to be in the same kind of vehicle that their parents drove when the young adults were kids.
Everyone had a wagon before, so the next generation got minivan, then SUV, then wagon/hatchback is the next hip thing again.

 

[fng]

I suspect Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards have a lot to do with it. Cars are held to a higher standard than trucks, and SUVs and CUVs come under the truck standard.

For 2019, cars were required to average 42.5 mpg while trucks only had to average 30. These numbers are based on a test from the late 70's, not the test used for the mileage stated on the window sticker.
cafe standards 2019 - Google Search

 

[gobluetwo]

I also think part of it is kind of a vicious circle. In the 90s, the SUV starting becoming trendy and mainstream popular with the Explorer. As more and more people opted into that kind of vehicle, they wanted to be able to over and around the other ones on the road, so more people started opting into SUVs. Ride height became king. Then, they became the soccer mom alternative to the minivan, which was never really seen as "cool." Once auto manufacturers figured out how to include a third row, that was pretty much it. Ride

The irony is, of course, is that drivers are now also demanding more stability and on-road performance, so you have all these nominal CUV's that are slightly lower, wider, maybe more coupe-like in shape, bigger wheels, tighter suspension, etc.

In the meantime, the 2020 Toyota Highlander base MSRP will be north of $35k.

 

[mike69440]

2020 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is rated 36mpg and out the door will be around $40K. Al lot more fuel efficient than an AWD Sienna, which like a wagon that would be similar to a TourX , should both get the hybrid treatment. Come on FCA/PSA!

 

[AcuraT]

It seems even the 2020's are phantom. None on dealer lots, existing orders cancelled and new orders not possible due to dealer confusion...

You are right. None in my area either. I called a dealer and he said there are very few left in the country, but they can have one built and sent to them if I act before the end of the first quarter. In other words, yes, the 2020 exists but only if you special order it for the most part.

 

[1500cc]

Autotrader shows nine 2020s across Canada on dealer's lots right now.

 

[no-pistons]

98 in the US according to Cars.com

 

[mike69440]

98 in the US according to Cars.com

Better freeze them in Liquid Nitrogen for future civilizations before they are extinct.

 

[PrincipalDan]

Rare does not equal valuable...
😢🤣

 

[6APPEAL]

98 in the US according to Cars.com

I just did a quick check and the dealership I purchased my TourX at doesn't show up in the list. There may be more in the system that some of the car sites are showing. The dealership website currently shows they have 5 2019 TourX's in stock. I walked the lot during my oil change, and I know they had 6 a few weeks ago. It appears they sold the 2020 TourX they had in stock.