With General Motors’ relationship with Saturn set to end by 2012, the Detroit automaker is said to be seriously considering using its Buick brand as an Opel importer. Saturn currently sells several re-badged Opel models – such as the Astra and Vue – but those responsibilities could soon switch over to Buick .
According to Bloomberg, GM is considering giving Buick its own version of the Saturn Vue crossover – essentially a redone version of the Opel Antara. The Buick-badged Vue would give Buick an entry-level CUV, slotting below the up-scale Enclave.
Additionally, GM is mulling a version of the Chinese-spec Buick Regal for the U.S. market. The Regal has close ties to the Opel Insignia and was even designed by Opel in Europe.
It remains unclear what other Opel models, if any, would be bound for U.S. Buick dealers.
Although GM has yet to make an officially decision on the matter – though one is expected before the government-imposed June 1st restructuring deadline – it sounds like an Opel-based Buick is a safe bet. Not only would the move help GM spread the cost of platform development, but it would also give Buick the new models it desperately needs. As it stands now, Buick only offers three models, with sales dipping down to just 137,000 units last year. GM has also identified the Buick division as one of its four core brands, so a product expansion seems likely.
