Talk:Buick

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[edit] IPA character set

The IPA pronunciation of Buick is not displayed correctly in the first paragraph. I'd change it myself but when I try, I get little squares instead of the characters I'm trying to insert --Thanatosil 19:11, 14 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] David Dunbar Buick

David Buick invented something considerably more important than the enamelled bathtub and much more relevant to this article. He invented the overhead valve engine on which Buick built its fortune and which all car companies now use. You don't see a lot of sidevalve engines any more. That is much more relevant to the article than the enamelled bathtub. Yet it's not even mentioned. The article also neglects to discuss the process by which he was manoeuvred out the car company by the money men, in itself a fascinating story. -- Derek Ross | Talk 21:51, Feb 9, 2005 (UTC)

Good point. What I liked about the bathtub though was that its just one of those things that you never expected, but everybody uses. Could we add it back in as an also, or do you feel its best to remove it totally. user: stude62 user talk:stude62 01:13, 10 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Well, I don't want to seem prejudiced against bathtubs (or lawn sprinklers for that matter), so I don't think that the information should be removed totally and permanently! And I can see your point about a fact that deserves to be more widely known. I think that the best solution would be to create the David Dunbar Buick article, which is overdue anyway, and put the information about his important inventions there. -- Derek Ross | Talk 16:39, Feb 10, 2005 (UTC)

Agreed. —Morven 20:37, Feb 10, 2005 (UTC)
Derek- A good idea. I know very little about D.D. Buick, could you do an article or a quick stub? user: stude62 user talk:stude62 22:46, 10 Feb 2005 (UTC)

Well that makes two of us, stude, but I will do what I can to put something together in honour of a fellow Arbroathian even if it will be a bit stubby. -- Derek Ross | Talk 00:44, Feb 11, 2005 (UTC)

How's it pronounced " BUICK" ?

I'm inclined to agree the engine design is more important to the industry, but without the $$ from the enamel process, the Buick car company wouldn't have been formed, which was, I think, the point. Trekphiler 02:14, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

I disagree with the addition of "luxury" by 68.72.20.71. I'm a Buick fan, but realistically Cadillac is GM's luxury marque and Buick has never been more than a "near luxury" line (to use the phrase that seems to be current nowadays). Some Buicks have even been rather plain! I'll probably revert this unless a good counterargument appears. RivGuySC 03:23, 17 Jun 2005 (UTC)

Yeah, I thought so too.Gzuckier 16:32, 17 Jun 2005 (UTC)

I amplified the last edit on the logo design somewhat. It is not always depicted in color, either in advertising or on the cars, although it may be. RivGuySC 19:24, 23 July 2005 (UTC)

Can somebody identify who conceived the Ventiports? I've heard the name, but don't recall it. Also, I question the definition of "nailhead" as referring to the valvecovers; I always understood it referred to the vertical valvestems in the block. Can someone confirm? Also, it seems to me the article needs some work on the history of the company and its impact on the industry, not least a mention of the Buick/Olds aluminum 215 V8, used until recently by BLMC, and the Buick musclecars. Trekphiler 02:14, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

Is it possible to extend the "model year" sidebar backward to include all past models? And can someone include information on how body styles were shared across GM? (For instance, the '50 Olds 88 matched the Chevy, more or less.) Trekphiler 04:07, 25 November 2005 (UTC)

[edit] Explaination of Edit

I edited the Buick in China section where it mentioned the GL8 because it said the GL8 was a modified version of the Terraza, while it is actually based on the last generation of GM minivans. Since Buick didn't have a version of that van, I used the Montana because Pontiac is the closest related to Buick corporately of Pontiac, Chevrolet, and Oldsmobile (who had a version of the van) and because the GL8 page says it is related to the Montana. Bok269 19:55, 27 May 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Buick in China

I recall reading somewhere that GM was only allowed into China if they branded all their cars Buicks. Any truth to that? FunkyChicken! 23:17, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

I read something similar too. Apparently Buick was well-known in Asia before WWII, and the Chinese remembered it favorably. But I can't cite a reference--sorry. And I think GM is marketing other nameplates there now. RivGuySC 05:14, 7 June 2006 (UTC)

Yeah, you can only sell products in China as long as the products are MADE in China. They won't import. That's why there are Buick plants over there.

[edit] Errata

Obbop says, it would be groovy if someone in the know could add information about the Grand National. It was an awesomely fast/quick car during a period when the typical American car was choking on smog equipment and struggling to get out of its own way.

Anuddah' thing, can anybody confirm sumpthin' I read many moons ago? Sumpthin' about Chevrolet considered by GM to be their entry-level line with Oldsmobile being a step up then Buick then Cadillac. That was a general guideline with a few obvious exceptions. I believe that in the 1970s that GMC started getting away from that "ladder of models" that generally correlated with socio-economic demographics. Or sumpthin' like that. Obbop told yah' this. 209.50.1.74 23:37, 13 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] List of Updates

12.7.06 - Streamlined the rather cluttered and disorganized collection of External Links. Divided into two section (Official and Enthusiast) and related model-specific links to their respective pages. Flybrian 02:32, 8 December 2006 (UTC)

12.25.07 - Edited the opening passage to replace "Israel" with "Middle East." I know for a fact that Buicks are sold in the GCC countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE etc.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 204.111.136.42 (talk) 20:41, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Speculation & buicks future.

I removed some speculation on Buicks future that was based solely on lineup changes. The Rainier (2004) and Terraza (2005) and even Rendezvous (2002) were recent additions to the buick lineup, it's hardly fair to use that as a sign that the brand is on its way out. As time went on, these became overlapping models, and were replaced by a single model, the Enclave. The Lacrosse replaced BOTH the Regal and Century, another pair of overlapping models, and similarly, the Lucerne replaced both the Lesabre and Park Avenue. 1999 was the last model year for the Riviera, so claiming 'since 2000' is somewhat questionable. However, there isn't much of a market for large coupes anyways (production of the Monte Carlo and Grand Prix coupe has also ended) so again, it's hardly fair to use that to claim the brands future is questionable.

Now, if an actual source, maybe some quotes from upper gm management, was used regarding the brands future, that would make more sense than pure speculation.

[edit] China market size?

The section on China first says: “Buick has stated that it expects China to become its second largest market.″ Then it says: “Making up nearly 35% of those sales, China is Buick's largest market.” So which is it? 128.223.6.140 (talk) 18:12, 17 April 2008 (UTC)