Buick Astra Heading for 2011 Release

New Baby Buick Prototype Spy Photo / Copyright by CarPix

By Thami Masemola
May 6, 2009 9:18 PM
Filed Under: American, Buick, Rumours

The spy pictures you see here are from the WCF archives and show a baby Buick prototype. While it may not be so, it is probable that the images are that of a Buick Astra, a car that is rumoured to be headed for the US from 2011.

Previously the plan had been to sell Opel vehicles in America under the Saturn brand. But since an announcement was made that General Motors would either be selling off that brand or dismantling it by Christmas 2009, that scenario has all but vaporised.

Buick on the other hand, survives and would be the channel through which the US public get their hands on Opel products. The first of these was to be the Astra under the Saturn badge. It was going to be a car designed specifically for the American market and would not be imported like the 2008 Astra which came from Belgium. Saturn was also scheduled for three-door and five-door Astras.

Right now there is no indication that this will be the case for a Buick Astra as well, especially with the future of Opel itself also hanging in the balance.

Should GM retain Opel, the likely manufacturing sites for the car include the Lordstown, OH plant and the San Luis Potosi, Mexico assembly plant.

 

Source: gminsidenews via egmcartech

Comments

Renegade
May 6, 2009 9:42 PM
Nice, make it OPC/GSX and I might want one.

Bristol411S3
May 6, 2009 9:57 PM
But if Opel goes to Fiat or Magna then I guess the compact Buicks will be from Korea.

Renegade
May 6, 2009 10:34 PM
I think that GM and Fiat will co own Opel, plus if I'm not wrong the new Astra is developed on the Chevy Cruze platform.

danteskov
May 7, 2009 9:37 AM
Its a different platform, the platform for the cruze is the one you see on a Chevy Lancetti in UK or the Chevy Optra in Mexico... lol.. but I hope they fine tune the chasis because it needs it..

coopergt
May 6, 2009 10:27 PM
just get rid of buick

nederina
May 7, 2009 7:25 AM
why don't GM just put the opel badge for the north american market. no one wants a buick and a german brand does wonders too.

rorycarguy
May 7, 2009 6:51 PM
buick asta hmmmmmmm could be nice!

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