Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Why are you so hung up on Buick being a rebadged Opel? Opel is not being sold in NA, so bringing those models over here and selling as a more known brand makes perfect sense. Acura is doing just that with Honda sedans.
Also, the Buicks get the upscale interiors and premium engines, like the 2.0T. You will not find the basic engines that are available in Opels. The suspension tuning could also be totally different. In essence, besides similar outside looks, these models could feel and drive totally different.
Also, you see many Mercedes Benz vehicles being driven as taxi cabs in EU, should we start lamenting that the Merc models we have in NA are nothing more than tarted up taxi cabs? What about the low end BMW models/trims that we never see in NA? Should we bash BMW for selling us overpriced appliances.
Really? 2.0T engine is Opel's product. You can find them in Opel Insignia. All turbo engines in GM are product of Opel.
Reason why I am saying is that Opel is, how to put it, people's car, but sold here under Buick or Cadillac as luxury. Cadillac hides its roots, Buick not whatsoever. Difference between Buick Regal and Opel Insignia is that Regal has instruments in Fahrenheit's and miles and that is it. For some time Buick Regal's were actually made in Opel factories.
Opel is a good car, and Buick and Cadillac are having a lot of Opel DNA, so comparing it to MB, BMW etc. is nonsense.
As for "low-end" BMW's, reason why they are not here is that you cannot fit 24oz cup in them, other then that, I would take BMW 318d over any Cadillac or Buick at any given day.
Low end? U.S Acura in Europe is Honda, I would say you will find much more sophisticated engineering from any manufacturer (including the U.S manufacturers) in Europe then here, including MB taxi's. When you have to pay $6-7 for a gallon of gas or diesel, you cannot play games with what you put under the hood.
That is why GM is transplanting engines and other stuff from their subsidiary in Europe.