As General Motors realigns its brands, especially Buick, Pontiac, and GMC, many redundant models are getting the axe. With the decline in sales of traditional SUVs and the forthcoming Buick Enclave, GM will stop production of the Buick Rainier SUV in the second quarter. The move will trim Buick down to three or four models, about half of its lineup in 2005, but the brand will spend more to develop and sell its remaining models.

General Motors is focusing on Buick’s future as a luxury brand, and in addition to poor sales, the Rainier didn’t fit Buicks new image. Buick will focus on the Enclave crossover, in the brand’s battle with the other luxury crossovers like the Lexus RX and Acura MDX.

From what we’ve seen, the Enclave is a much better fit for Buick’s new focus and ending production of the Rainier is right choice.

## Source: Detroit Free Press ##

Posted in: Buick, Manufacturing, SUVs, News, Car Buying
RSS 2.0 Feed | Comments | Permalink |  Email This Post