gavriil

GM Prepping Six Chicago Debuts

Six new General Motors vehicles will take to the stage next week as the Chicago Auto Show stages its media preview days, Feb. 3 and 4 at McCormick Place. Among GM's new vehicles will be the new 2005 Buick LaCrosse, the small Buick destined to replace the Regal and the Century. Also on the docket are the Chevrolet Uplander and Pontiac Montana SV6 crossover sport vans; a new GMC Envoy Denali, Envoy XL Denali and Sierra Crew Cab Denali; and a lightly restyled Pontiac Vibe. TCC begins its Chicago auto show coverage on February 3.

Source: TCC

gavriil

By the way, this is the new Regal replacement, called the LaCrosse

1SICKLEX

I liked the previous regal. Nice car. Looked great. Not sure why they did this in Chicago and not something bigger like Detroit or LA.

charliemike

So it doesn't get lost amid 100 other debuts ...

heyitsme

Thursday, January 29, 2004


Chicago and New York shows get big crowds -- and a few debuts, too


By Paul Lienert / Autos Insider

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Detroit's annual auto show draws the most media attention in North America, although the car shows in Chicago in February and New York in April draw more visitors. Go figure.

There was a time when Chicago rivaled, if not eclipsed, Detroit in importance, but its significance has waned as most makers have embraced Detroit's deep-freeze revue in early January as their venue of choice. But New York is coming on strong.

We don't have a complete list of vehicle introductions yet, although it appears that New York has the early edge over Chicago in terms of significant vehicle launches.

The biggest news in Chicago may be the introduction of the all-new 2005 Buick LaCrosse, a mid-size sedan that replaces the Regal and the Century this fall. Although the sheet metal is new, the architecture is an updated version of the aging MS2000 platform that underpins the current Buick sedans.

Also on tap for Chicago is the world debut of the all-new 2005 Hyundai Tucson -- the so-called "baby Santa Fe" -- that shares its compact platform with the redesigned Kia Spectra that was unveiled at the Detroit show.

Dodge is expected to introduce its redesigned 2005 Dakota pickup in Chicago, and Toyota will counter with the redesigned 2005 Tacoma. Toyota will also pull the wraps off the redesigned Solara convertible.

Other Chicago debutantes include the all-new 2005 Mercury Montego sedan, 2005 Pontiac Montana SV6 and Chevrolet Uplander minivans and the face-lifted 2005 Nissan Altima, which gets a major upgrade to its cabin.

New York will play host to at least a dozen new and redesigned products. Among them are the 2005 Cadillac STS, 2005 Saab 9-7x, which is based on the Chevrolet TrailBlazer; and 2006 Chevrolet HHR crossover vehicle that shares its Delta platform with the new Cobalt compact and is Chevy's answer to the Chrysler PT Cruiser.

Also due to break cover in New York are the next-generation Acura RL sedan, Honda Odyssey minivan and Chevrolet Corvette convertible. Among the SUVs on display will be replacements for the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Land Rover Discovery and the Nissan Xterra.

Chrysler plans to unveil the new SRT-6 performance editions of its Crossfire coupe and roadster, while sister brand smart will make its American debut with the new ForFour utility vehicle.

There may not be as many new model launches in either city as there are in Detroit. And, although I'm a Detroit native, I hold no grudge against those other towns. But I can assure you that I'd rather be in New York in April than in Chicago in February.

You can reach Paul Lienert at plienert@yahoo.com.

gavriil

Not sure what you mean by "bigger", though the Chicago Auto Show is the largest auto show on the planet (as far as space).

gavriil

Yeap.

heyitsme

I guess its weak then, if it can't handle competition why build it.

1SICKLEX

I concur with all ya'll!

charliemike

You're confusing the car with the debut ... One has nothing to do with the other ...

heyitsme

haha, possibly.

heyitsme

Why exactly does gm have more than one brand again? haha. Be nice if each brand had its own seperate team of designers, like the ford focus, mazda 3 and volvo compacts.

Maximized

I was at the World of Wheels last night and saw the workers getting the place ready for the show. It was pretty neat seeing them put up all the displays.

gavriil

When he wrote "So it doesn't get lost amid 100 other debuts", I took as... GM Debutes.

gavriil

Could these be the first Chevys or Pontiacs (if not GM cars overall), where the interior is is superior to the exterior?

charliemike

Which is just as good a reason as to find another venue to debut the La Crosse so that it receives more attention.

The argument that the car isn't worth standing up on its own at the NAIAS is kinda silly. There are debuts at Paris, Geneva, LA, Detroit, NY, and Chicago (among others) ...

gavriil

Here is another reason:

From Autoweek:

OF THE 13 WORLD INTRODUCTIONS planned for the upcoming Chicago Auto Show, it’s not surprising that two of Detroit’s automakers will focus on new upscale sedans. Chicago’s show is tilted to the buying public, and spiffy sedans are as bread-and-butter as you can get.

Source: Autoweek

gavriil

And another reason:

2004 Chicago: Buick and Mercury unveil new plans on friendly turf - - - By RICK KRANZ | Automotive News - - - - - Buick and Mercury hope to make a splash at the Chicago Auto Show this week. Both brands will tout plans to reinvigorate themselves with new models, nameplates, and most important, fresh styling. Why Chicago? Despite aging car lines, the area remains loyal to both domestic brands.

Source: Autoweek

ruski_RENAMED

GM has been putting that steering wheel into almost every car... except the Malibu and G6. How come Malibu and G6 got an ugly steering wheel instead?