New Buick Regal

[tnpartsguy]

Didn't GM learn from the Cimmarron? http://http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1658545_1658533_1658526,00.html

The new Buick Regal is a Cobalt, plain and simple. It has the same engine in the base car, but a hefty $10k surcharge for that tri-shield emblem.

OK....it's NOT a Cobalt...it's really a Saturd built in German and rebadged as a Buick....but it's still a Cobalt in my mind

:confused:

[SHACOS]

What I don't understand is the American car industry's obsession with rebadging vehicles? I think consumers are smart enough to know that the different versions are in fact the same vehicle.

You see Hyundai and Kia do it, but the vehicles don't look anything alike. Is it just laziness in the design department or a boring effort to keep costs down?

[XDCX]

Is it just laziness in the design department or a boring effort to keep costs down?

I think both your answers are correct.

I also think one of the major reasons the Detroit 3 have resorted to "badge engineering" is because it works. Perhaps one of the better recent examples is the Chrysler Aspen version of the Dodge Durango. With just a few minor changes Chrysler made the Aspen a much more appealing vehicle and the sales results followed.

To be clear, I don't think there's any need for "badge engineering" in a well run car company, but the reason we keep seeing it is because it provides a quick fix to a bigger problem.

[ohiobuckeyes]

The new Buick Regal is a Cobalt, plain and simple. It has the same engine in the base car, but a hefty $10k surcharge for that tri-shield emblem.

OK....it's NOT a Cobalt...it's really a Saturn built in German and rebadged as a Buick....but it's still a Cobalt in my mind

:confused:

Or maybe GM is just getting ready for the new cafe standards that vehicles produced have to get 30 MPG. So are going to say that a Cadillac that has a ECOTEC engine is a cobalt but with a 25K surcharge.

NO GM is thinking of the future Passenger Cars in 2011 must get 30.2 and Light Trucks have to get 24.1 combined (2 and 4 Wheel)

Over the weekend I went to a Buick Dealership and saw a 2011 Regal and it does not remind me of a Cobalt its a sweet car and would give my right arm for a loaded one.

[FixedOpsGuy]

and would give my right arm for a loaded one.

...and that's exactly what they want. They already have the taxpayer's money. An extra right arm on the assembly line has value.