GM sells and builds vehicles all around the world, but generally people think that the company builds its vehicles in North America and ships them around the world.
Now, where that may be true for a few vehicles, GM does build vehicles in other places around the place.
Generally the vehicles built in North America are aimed and sold in the North American market, and those built as Opel in Europe are for the European market and the Holden vehicles in Australia are for that market. Now, although there are some safety, emission and other regulations that differ from continent to continent, there is generally no reason why GM can't use a vehicle from one continent on another. The only thing that may change is the badge.
Take for instance the new Buick Regal. What started life as an Opel Insignia, the vehicle has been as GM puts it "adapted for North American roads and preferences." What this usually means is that they must change the emissions to meet North American standards and safety requirements, but what it also usually means is that the spirit is taken out of the car and it is given a softer ride, and often the whole winning package has been lost. That is why there are often such huge differences with European built vehicles and their sisters on this continent.
But this time GM has decided to do things a little differently, and here's why. In Europe the Opel Insignia won the coveted title of European Car of the Year and "has established itself as the best-selling mid-sized car in Europe" as well as "winning 39 awards in 15 European countries."
So if you have a vehicle with credentials like these, why mess with it? This is why the Regal has kept a European feel to its drive and handling qualities. After all, there are a lot of people in North America from Europe who would appreciate the driving feel of a European car.
And it is that European feel that comes through. The thunk of the doors, the slightly stiff feel of the suspension and the non-floating feel of the steering wheel and suspension are all appreciated.
They all make for a more sporty mid-sized family sedan, and the options and fit and finish make for an excellent entry in the mid-sized luxury sedan class.
Buick has thrown a huge amount of options at the Regal and laid them out in a classy and easy-to-use manner. Take for instance the stereo and climate control dials and buttons on the dash. They are large, easy to read and can all be used with gloves on.
The seats are not too cushy offering a little firmness to the leather covering, but at the same time offering the lateral support necessary for a sporty sedan.
The Regal came with a 2.4 litre four cylinder putting out 182 horsepower, which although not huge, is actually plenty for the Regal. There is no problem with hauling ass when you need to and the manumatic six-speed shifter is very nice to flip through when you have a European-tuned suspension to throw around.
This is definitely not the old-man vehicle Buick had become synonymous with over the years. After all, how many of your dads or granddads like to head into a corner in sixth gear and drop three or even four gears in an instant before shooting round the corner?
Buick has always been a step above most of the general GM lineup, and has always shown what the company is capable of if they decided to do it. Taking the luxury from one vehicle, the sportiness of another vehicle, the roominess of another, and the panache of another and putting them all together makes the regal what it is. And all this without the huge cost some may associate with a car like his.
On the options front Buick has included: manumatic transmission, ABS, ESC with Stabilitrak, TSC, keyless entry, Onstar, dual zone climate control, cruise, Bluetooth, TPMS, power seat, tilt/telescoping wheel, satellite radio, rear park assist, 120-volt outlet for the computer and a lockable pass through in the back.
The Buick badge, and especially the Regal with this new model, will no longer be associated with old man driving and that's a good thing, because it means it will be aimed at and bought by a much larger segment of the auto-buying market.
GM has done something it should have done a long time ago. It has taken a winning formula from one of its European vehicles and made as little changes as necessary to get it to the North American market. This can only make for more sales and more awards for the Regal, and after you drive it you will realize why.
Buick Regal
4-door sedan
6-speed manumatic
2.0 litre four cylinder
Horsepower 182 @ 6,700
Torque 172 @ 4,900
Mileage: 10.8 l/100 km 26 mpg City 6.5 l/100km 43 mpg Hwy
Price $34,670
