Over the last nine years Buick’s lineup has seen several changes and many new faces, but one thing has always remained constant – the ringing endorsement of Tiger Woods. However, General Motors’ sponsorship bucks have all but dried up over the last nine years, culminating in the contract termination between Woods and Buick.
General Motors made the announcement on Monday morning that Woods would no longer be the face of Buick. “Both GM and Woods agreed to a mutual and amicable separation that included a desire for more personal time for the 14-time major winner who is expecting his second child in late winter as well as the search for budget efficiencies during a difficult economy for General Motors,” the Detroit automaker said in a statement.
Although GM used the term “coincidental” to describe the timing of the split, there is no hiding the fact that Woods’ contract was cancelled due to GM’s current financial situation. Woods’ current five-year contract with GM is reportedly worth $40 million.
Woods will fulfill the remainder of his contract with GM, which is slated to expire on December 31st.
11/24, 1:59 PM
posted by:
A4
well back when the only thing as boring as buicks was golf, this made sense. now it seems lexus has taken its place.
11/24, 2:04 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
Hopefully after the bail-out/restructuring of GM all washes out, Buick will be history.
11/24, 2:04 PM
posted by:
Mike the loser
Lexus is boring?
A4, i sat in a few new buicks in dealerships, Honda Accord is more luxurious, so i am sure Lexus is above and beyond anything buick has in looks, speed, and luxury.
11/24, 2:08 PM
posted by:
Andre Neves
^ Agreed. I think Buick is getting to “riskay” for Golf. LoL jk
11/24, 2:13 PM
posted by:
A4
umm i never said they were “luxurious” but yes. Lexus is boring. Case closed.
11/24, 2:47 PM
posted by:
Mike the loser
A4 is by boring you mean you do not get to know your mechanics ex girlsfriends aunt, yes it is boring.
11/24, 2:50 PM
posted by:
Lionwithoutpride
A4
A Lexus was, and I was surprised, one of the most comfy cars I have ever ridden in. However, it was also probably one of the most boring. And as far as Luxury (other than the comfort) the Lexus vehicles I have been in have definitely not been it. I would still have to give Mercedes the win in the Luxury department. Of course, this is all subjective opinion; but, Mike the loser is not going to let anyone have a subjective opinion about something like Lexus unless it is inline with his own views.
11/24, 3:00 PM
posted by:
Lionwithoutpride
Oh and Mike the Loser-
Which brand of car tied with Lexus for quality last year? Oh, right . . . Buick. Man, if we are getting to know our mechanic’s ex-girlfriend’s aunt by driving a Lexus, I can see that the auto industry truly is in decline! For shame!
11/24, 3:59 PM
posted by:
Borat
I cant afford Lexus, but in my opinion it is the most amazing brand under the sun. It challenged German iron and won hands down. 15 years ago you would be laughed at if you were mentioning Japanese luxury car (oxymoron until late 80’s). Look at Lexus now: it is definitely unique in styling and the one that everyone compares in quality against: “Which brand of car tied with Lexus for quality last year?”. What about last 10 years. In Germany, it is considered the most reliable brand and competes with locals for big bucks. Actually, the only gasoline powered luxury cars I saw in Europe are Lexus LS (I don’t think they have appropriate diesel).
I don’t know who is looser in this divorce: Tiger Woods has a long career ahead of him; his agent will find crap to peddle. Buick – perhaps will be sold to China. I doubt that even our money wasting congress will let this one live.
11/24, 8:38 PM
posted by:
Pauly
Money well conserved. Buick wasn’t selling any cars anyway with the endorsement. I agree that they might not be around much longer anyway. Why not just give the decent Buicks like the Enclave to Pontiac which has no crossover wagon. The G8 isn’t selling either so the Lucerne with some design changes could become the reintroduced Bonneville or Pontiac’s big car. Finally, who cares about the LaCrosse, and if the new Aura is going to be on the same platform as the new LaCrosse, just keep the Saturn and dump the Buick.
11/24, 10:06 PM
posted by:
Get Real
In real life Tiger’s nanny drives a Buick.
Buick lost it’s mojo after the Grand National died and with it every dream Buick ever had of a comeback.
11/25, 12:06 AM
posted by:
planet_drive
You just know tiger woods is a total sell out to endorse a laughable brand like Buick. But you can’t blame him. I hate Ford with all my heart, but if Ford asked me to promote their poor quality products for a suitcase full of cash (if they still have cash left) I would praise Ford products. Of course all my friends would call me a big fat liar and be jealous of the new 911 turbo I was driving.
11/25, 10:41 AM
posted by:
PW
Actually, A4, your beloved Audi and Ford are the brands that are boring.
11/25, 3:19 PM
posted by:
beemerdude
Most product endorsement contracts last 2-3 years. The fact that this one lasted 9 years is amazing!!
11/25, 10:31 PM
posted by:
sharpie
I am staying out of the Lexus fight, but Ford? Are you serious, PW? Have you not seen the new Mustang and Fusion and soon the Fiesta? Ford is anything but boring at the moment.
11/29, 2:49 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
I bought my buick DESPITE the company’s endorsement deal with that woods idiot.
Mike the loser: Yeah, toyota’s faux-luxury division is boring. I hope your job doesn’t do random drug testing.
Lionwithoutpride “I would still have to give Mercedes the win in the Luxury department.” I’d go for BMW.
“Which brand of car tied with L—s for quality last year? Oh, right . . . Buick.”
No, it tied in the JD Power rankings. The Buick is actually a better car.
Borat: “15 years ago you would be laughed at if you were mentioning Japanese luxury car.” Just like today, i’m still waiting for the first japanese luxury car to show up in the States.
Get Real: My stepfather had a Grand National. If only i knew ….
planet_drive: “You just know tiger woods is a total sell out (sic) ….”
That moron was a sellout a long time before that!
I don’t think Ford wants anyone to promote its poor-quality products … I think the company wants all the attention on its CURRENT products.
PW: Audi is not boring.