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Buick Makes it Official, Verano Disappears in 2017

By William Maley

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  • It was nice knowing you Verano

Earlier this month, we reported that the Buick Verano would be leaving at the end of the 2017 model year. This is due to the sales sliding down due in part to the success of crossovers such as the Encore. At the time, General Motors declined to comment on the story. Today, they have made it official.

 

In a statement provided to Automotive News, General Motors said Verano production would wind down at its Lake Orion plant in October. The model will have an abbreviated 2017 model year. The decision as to why comes down to crossovers.

 

“When we’re thinking about where we’re investing for the future, with the whole market moving toward SUVs, that’s where we want to put our investment,” said Buick spokesman Stuart Fowle to The Detroit News.

 

Workers at Lake Orion were notified about the decision on Wednesday. Dealers were told about it during national meetings in Austin, Texas this week.

 

The writing on the wall for the Verano's departure has been on the wall for a while. Last year, Buick sold 31,886 Veranos while the similarly priced Encore crossover moved 67,549 units. Also, Buick's chief Duncan Aldred said that 70 percent of Buick's sales will be made up of crossovers once the Envision hits dealers.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required), The Detroit News

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    William Maley

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    Chinese Verano has the looks of a mid 2000's Hyundai on the outside.  GM wasn't gonna have the $$$ to fix that for here.  SO I guess the Regal gets that money.

     

    Check out that large back seat though!

     

    http://www.carnewschina.com/2015/06/24/this-is-the-new-2016-buick-verano-for-china/

     

    buick-verano-china-is-2-660x280.jpg?7562

     

     

    http://www.carnewschina.com/2015/11/18/this-is-the-new-buick-verano-hatchback-for-china/

    What mid-2000's Hyundai are you referring to? It reminds me more of the last-generation Hyundai Sonata which was introduced back in 2009.

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    hyperv6

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    Regardless of what it looks like in China it was not one of the best GM efforts for the American market for the price slot they were targeting. 

    While it does not need to challange BMW it does need to be better looking and more different than the lower models that do look similar. 

     

    I as have said the same as Drew for a long time. They need to focus on the Audi/high end VW models and be the affordable euro like sports sedan that Pontiac always tried to be but never came close to being. 

    Delorean has visions of Pontiac challenging the models from Germany with an American car that could compete. With Opel/Buick there is no reason why they could not do this and even offer some of the OPC models here. 

     

    Buick in America has no limits that they have to meet and can take chances on lower volume models and grow appeal that is a Anti Asian like car. Even China like the Euro thing as they still hold a grudge against Japan for what they did to their people. 

     

    Buick needs to be more than just a gussied up fancy Chevy like Pontiac was restricted to being for too many years. 

    I feel the new Regal or what ever they will call it may show the way forward with their thinking as it is a true Opel Buick model. The Lacrosse has not shown their global intent but the Regal replacement will being shared in Europe and with Holden. 

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