AJ

Buick definitely needs to avoid badge engineering, particularly on vehicles that are readily available in the same dealerships. I guess the market research shows that a lot of people will buy GMCs and not Buicks and vice versa, but really there is a reasonably priced Equinox and more upscale Cadillac SRX available. The Enclave is a nice complement to the Traverse -- here's to hoping the Cadillac brand will not acquire any vehicles of this class.

Buick will have the Enclave (big CUV), LaCrosse (mid sedan), and Regal (also sedan). Lucerne either needs a major update or needs to get thrown out. A coupe might work in this lineup, but it needs to strike a line between nice styling and upscale interior without being boring. I really don't want to see another CUV/SUV for Buick. It just brings back memories of the Saab Trailblazer/Chevy 9-7X... *shudders.

Also, bring back the GNX Grand National if you want people in their 20s to aspire to own Buicks.

"There are also reportedly plans for a crossover that slots under the Enclave and a Cruze-sized sedan in the next 12 months as well."

Read: GM engineers will probably put a Buick emblem on a Chevy Equinox and then debadge a Chevy Cruze so that it can be rebadged as a Buick.

Unlikely Alternative Option: GM will actually design products that are at least mostly ground-up designed to fit into the Buick brand's image.

I have been blessed to know many people in the right places who have had access to company cars even before this new deal. As such, I've seen an array of GM products in driveways, and also gotten a few rides in both a V8 auto and V6 manual preproduction Camaro. I'm assuming they are only allocating a limited number of vehicles to be loaned out in this way to save money, but there is no better marketing than letting people see the cars in person. It's great to see hot new products driving around town, but even better when you know someone who is excited about the car and is willing to tell you all about it and let you check it out up close.

Pretty please!

I pledge to fix the economy one text message at a time. Working the graveyard shift requires that you have people to text in order to save your sanity anyhow.

Plan for saving the economy: Allow me to exercise the power of the pen. Er, uh, keyboard. In this case, a much better keyboard than what I'm using right now.

The funny thing is that everyone always complains about American manufacturers making small cars, but the demand for GM's small, high mileage cars like the G5, Cobalt, and Astra is so low that they are nearly axing production for a few months.

Well, I guess this means Microsoft owes me a free copy of Windows 7. They are going to have to replace my Vista with it if they expect me to revoke my promise that my next computer will not run Windows.

I want it.

Oh my goodness Top Gear on PS3?! I was incredibly upset when they pulled syndication from Discovery, I couldn't get it any more. For anyone who even remotely enjoys cars, or appreciates their beauty and power, Top Gear is the greatest television program of all time. The views of the exotic cars are stunning, & the hosts are hilarious.