Now that General Motors has almost completed shedding its non-core brands, the company is refocusing attention to its main brands. The company is in research and development of a new sport coupe that could be sold as a Buick.

In an interview with Buick and Chevy design director John Cafaro, Automotive News confirmed that Buick is angling for a younger audience. “My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas [for] coupes, more expressive vehicles,” he said. “That is really my job.”

The automaker is in a similar position as Cadillac had been, with only an aging market segment showing any interest. According to Cafaro, Cadillac knew that they had “to carve a new image. That is where Buick is right now,” he told the news outlet.

Currently, the automaker sells just three different models, including the soon-to-be-cancelled Lucerne. Aside from the full-size crossover Enclave, the company also sells the LaCrosse, completely remodeled for 2010.

“Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline,” Cafaro said, later mentioning that the company needs a new car that makes a statement. Any such car would become Buick’s flagship. “A coupe is definitely where you say, ‘I’m back.’”

Source: Autonews

Buick has been thinking about a coupe again, perhaps another reemergence of the classic Riviera? More specifically, GM, after the success of new, smaller & sportier Buick models, wants to give the B another shot at sports coupes. Last year, an updated Buick Riviera concept hit auto show floors, complete with gullwing doors and an Apple laptop styled instrument panel. It was as if the DeLorean from Back to the Future made sweet love to the Star Trek reboot USS Enterprise and had a Buick baby.

Automotive News recently interviewed Buick design director John Cafaro, who confirmed that Buick is targeting a younger audience. “My role is really being a zealot for getting Buick more youthful, more spirited and probing ideas for coupes, more expressive vehicles,” he said. “That is really my job.” Pretty good gig, if you ask me.

Currently, the automaker sells just three different models, including the soon-to-be-cancelled Lucerne. Aside from the full-size crossover Enclave, the company also sells the LaCrosse, completely remodeled for 2010.

“Buick definitely needs more product in the pipeline,” Cafaro said, later mentioning that the company needs a new car that makes a statement. Any such car would become Buick’s flagship. “A coupe is definitely where you say, ‘I’m back.’”

The Source: WCF

In a recent article by CNN Money, it was pointed out that GM cars, specifically Buick vehicles, are selling like hot cakes still overseas, throughout Asia…mostly in China. This isn’t news to anyone who follows GM with a close eye – Buick has been GM’s Asian brand for years. Only about a quarter of GM’s vehicle sales worldwide were made in the U.S. during the first part of 2009. Where GM is losing money hand over fist on US soil, the company actually made a profit in China, the rest of the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America.

Experts believe it’s important that GM keeps overseas operations linked with North American units as it goes through restructuring . GM is hopeful their current efforts will also leave them as competitive at home as it has been abroad. “Their success overseas demonstrates that they have the capability of succeeding here,” said Tom Libby, president of the Society of Automotive Analysts. “The stuff they’re being forced to do now, it’s stuff that should have been done a long time ago.”

Yes, Buick’s Riviera Concept in fact has gull wing doors. A design theory shared by Japanese and German auto makers alike, it looks like America can jump on the vertical door bandwagon. This original concept was introduce in China, where Buick still sells very well (even to those who are not over the age of 65 and half blind). American made automobiles are a hot commodity over seas, to the point that Chinese car companies copy American design ideas into their own vehicles. This car is expected to be fuel efficient and full of the latest Green technologies.

Outside, concept engineers tried to continue the Y-Shaped body of original Rivieras. This proud, massive grill houses misty blue headlights as well as an illuminated Buick logo. From there an additional straight blue light starts from the hood’s peak and stretches all the way back to the windshield. Buick’s logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers also have icy green back lights available at night.

Inside, Buick wants the Riviera to be your “Sanctuary” – leather seating stretches back with a T-console separating the driver from its passenger. A three-dimensional speedometer is gorgeous to look at, and accents the touchpad dash very well. Buick claims interior designers were encouraged to “consider people’s personal belongings to enhance their feeling of familiarity and comfort in the vehicle.” The Riviera is comfortable to sit in and wonderful to look at. But will it be a joy to drive? Keep your fingers crossed and maybe we’ll see the New Riviera at a GM dealership soon.