Opel Insignia Confirmed for U.S. as Buick Regal

Chinese Market 2009 Buick Regal

OPC version a possibility?

By Michael Gauthier
October 15, 2009 3:56 PM
Filed Under: American, Buick

GM has officially confirmed, one of the worst keep secrets in the industry, the Buick Regal will return to the lineup.

While the company didn't provide any useful information, the Regal will undoubtedly be a rebadged Opel/Vauxhall Insignia. This effectively means the US Buick Regal will be virtually identical to the Chinese version (pictured).

Engine options will likely include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 217 hp, a 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 with 256 PS, and possibly the 325 hp 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 from the Insignia OPC/VXR.

Expected to be launched in 2010 (as a 2011 model), the Regal will slot below the Buick LaCrosse.

Look for more information to be released in the coming months.

Source: GM

Press Release (Click to expand)

As part of Buick GMC’s strategy to engage and listen to its dealers, more than 1,000 dealers this week will be the first to learn the name of Buick’s next mid-size sport sedan will be the Buick Regal. The announcement was made at the Buick GMC dealer business meeting.

“The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan,” said Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager. “We’re thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family.”

The Regal name has played a very important role in Buick’s history for many years and continues to be one of the top Buick nameplates recalled by consumers even though it’s been out of the market for the past six years.

Buick is emerging as a modern, premium marquee with vehicles characterized by sculpted designs, personal technologies, luxurious interiors and responsive performance. Future new sedans and crossovers will continue to expand Buick's portfolio both in North America and China. More information can be found at www.buick.com.

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Tags: Buick Regal, 2011 Buick Regal

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Comments

mldrieling

October 15, 2009 4:21 PM

Copying Opel didn't work for Saturn, what makes GM think this will work for Buick. GM should drop the Buick nameplate from America and keep it in China only.

EDavis

October 15, 2009 7:51 PM

"Copying Opel didn't work for Saturn"...because the Astra was about as stimulating as watching grass grow.

"GM should drop the Buick nameplate from America and keep it in China only"...that makes as much sense as:

VW should drop the Audi nameplate from Germany and keep it in America only.

simalive

October 15, 2009 5:07 PM

A nice looking car overall. But the rear end and interior look a bit too similar to Acura.

Hero Sina

October 15, 2009 8:22 PM

Acura looks like this,it is older. finally a good car under Buick brand.

autoficianado

October 15, 2009 6:11 PM

...other automakers do this all the time such as : VW Golf/Audi A3, Toyota Camry/Lexus ES, and even BMW is getting into the act with the Mini/BMW 0 series. It's about economies of scale and profit...besides the Opel is a good platform and was meant to underpin GM's midsize vehicles worldwide. I would have rather seen Pontiac remain personally but I like this car.

Edited by user on October 17, 2009 at 9:33 PM

sub39h

October 15, 2009 7:40 PM

the A3 is based on the Golf chassis, not the Polo.

I think this is a VERY clever move from GM. they need to accept that they sell complete garbage, and rely on their European manufacturers to build up brand trust again.

Andres2007

October 15, 2009 9:53 PM

So you're telling me every American-designed GM car is garbage? Well, if the CTS is garbage then keep garbage coming please.

Schizo0223

October 17, 2009 7:10 PM

You mean economies of scale right?

But you're right even competitng car companies do it: SAAB and FIAT have done it with the SAAB 9000, FIAT Croma, Alfa 164, and Lancia Thema(?) (I think that's correct...) Recently FIAT 500 and the Ford Ka. VW group does it by the gazillions...

I hope Ford does the samething and bring those European market Ford products to the US.

theoldman

October 15, 2009 6:16 PM

Why have they simply rebadged an Opel Insignia for a Buick Regal?

Buick should have developed their own design for the model

Edited by user on October 15, 2009 at 6:17 PM

EDavis

October 15, 2009 7:27 PM

This car already IS built as the Buick Regal. And why change the body style, Americans have never seen the Opel Insignia. If they changed the body style there would be 2 different cars with the same name.

AG4

October 16, 2009 12:56 AM

@theoldman,

I guess the obvious reason is to cut down on costs.

Renegade

October 15, 2009 6:19 PM

Make the Insignia OPC a Buick Regal GNX and I'm in.

Siawa

October 15, 2009 6:38 PM

Good looking car. Interior is decent aswell.

politz

October 15, 2009 9:02 PM

great car, just don't see how it's going to fit BELOW the lacrosse now that buick has fitted it with a 2,4 liter 4-cylinder engine. gm will probably have to find a cheaper engine for the entry level regal.

politz

October 15, 2009 9:15 PM

by the way, i have to admit i LOVE what gm is doing with the buick brand right now. the lacrosse and enclave are already awesome products... the insignia is a highly praised euro sedan with some mojo in it... and that future astra-based compact looks promising too, not to mention the upcoming mini-enclave EV. and i'm dying to see what they're about to do with the lucerne replacement. hope gm really turns buick into a global brand, by selling it in global markets like europe, asia and latin america... okay, maybe not the insignia/regal, but the rest of line up is about to become interestingly coherent and relevant in a global perspective.

majorsja

October 15, 2009 10:31 PM

HOT! Say what you will, but you have to admit that this is a plus for the Buick brand. And for GM, it shows that they are listening to consumers. It is not great but, had it not been for bankruptcy, we would not have this (European-born) Regal.

ghouwer1

October 15, 2009 10:49 PM

I'm confused. Opel is sold as a chevrolet in south America, Vaxhaull in the UK - (and australia i think), and now Buick in the US? Why do you need the same car with 4 different names? A VW is sold as a VW everywhere, and I think it works better. Outside of the US no one even knows what a Buick is...

radmeister

October 16, 2009 10:35 PM

Opel/Vauxhaul is sold in Australia as Holden. The thing is nobody in the US knows about those other brands, so to them this is a new Buick not an old Opel. It's a new American car, not an european car with a new badge.

v6s_stink

October 15, 2009 11:03 PM

I was hoping this awkward montage of 12 or so other designs would stay out of the USA. I love European cars, but not this automotive mutt.

wmgtxi

October 16, 2009 12:48 PM

but isnt this car the same size and in the same segment as the Lacrosse? if it is then whats the point?

pscs

October 18, 2009 1:34 AM

Do people always need a cut up car with semi-transparent airbags photoshopped in?

jamziz

October 19, 2009 6:45 PM

I love this car! Especially if they offer it with the opc version with awd and 300 plus horsepower mated to a 6spd manual. I would buy it the first day. Now all GM needs to do is usr the Opel name instead of Buick so we can forget that our grandfathers drove these cars.

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