Bailout Blues: Can Buick be the new Saab?

For all those Saabistas mourning the (potential) disappearance of their brand, the reality is, Saabs will end up living on in the most unlikely of cars: Buicks.

Take a look at the new 2011 Regal sports sedan that media have been first driving recently. It's existence tells all you need to know about what's happened to the auto industry in the last year.

The reality is, the Regal is a rebadged Opel Insignia, originally planned as a Chinese market only-Buick. In North America, it was going to be sold as the next Saturn Aura, and provide the same underpinnings for the next Saab 9-3.

But now that it will soon be popping up for sale in Canadian Buick showrooms, the amount of “Saabness” in the Buick is quite remarkable:

• Sophisticated, fourth-gen Haldex all-wheel-drive system. Check.

• A full range of turbocharged, fuel-efficient small engines. Check.

• Six-speed manual transmission. Check.

• European-tuned driving characteristics. Check.

The Regal may as well be wearing a Saab badge, like above. At least Government Motors will be getting (some of) our tax money back from all those kroners that GM (allegedly) sunk into Saab over the past twenty years.

But what about you Saab fans out there?

Ironically, the Regal is targeted at the same premium-Japanese brands that basically stole Saab’s customers in the 1990s. Can Buick be GM's entry-level luxury brand? Can Buick be the new Saab?

Would you consider all this Saab technology, but wrapped in a Buick body?

Comments

[Larry]

The Haldex system in the Insignia is carried over from the 9-3 X, with some additions. Everything else you mention is not specific to Saab. I still see the new Buicks as an attempt to compete with Audi, Jaguar and Lexus, not what Saab was or may yet become again. Unless the Regal has its ignition between the seats and toggles on the dashboard vents, the answer is a resounding 'nej' and Saabophiles will be spending their kronor (not 'kroners') elsewhere.

[Randy]

Under the skin it might be Saab-ish but no, Buick is NOT the new Saab.
Where are the wagons?
How about a Hatchback like the Saab 900 and 9000?
Is the ignition key between the seats?
Scandinavian design?

If they bring the Opel wagon over from Europe I'd consider a Buick, however I prefer the Scandinavian styling of Saab. These Buick's look nothing like the new 9-5. Buick's are a little too glitzy to my eye. I prefer more sport and less chrome.

If Saab morphs into a Swedish BMW or Audi without the high prices I'd be happy.

[Bryan]

To me, as a 29 yr old male, Buick is a brand for 60+ males who want to drive a pseudo-luxury car. i'm sure i'm not alone in my thinking

[Randy]

After the news yesterday, looks like Saab isn't going to be around anyways. I'd be very surprised if GM doesn't shut it down.
Too bad Koenigsegg couldn't come up with the money to complete the deal.
:(