Will Riviera design revitalize Buick?
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Despite being some eight months old, the Buick Riviera concept has generated buzz here in Motown. Hailing from Shanghai, the gullwing-door front-drive 2+2 coupe looks good on the floor and, per GM design boss Ed Welburn, is a sign of things to come for Buick.
Elements of the Riviera's design -- the production future of car itself is unknown -- are seen in the Enclave crossover and on spied prototypes of the next-generation LaCrosse, which to us looks better than the current car even in full camouflage. The effects of the new design direction will probably begin to take shape on the next-generation Lucerne, reportedly scheduled to show up shortly after the LaCrosse.
Avant-garde design was a staple of Buick during the '50s and '60s, but the brand lost its mojo and its offerings became the main way elderly ladies got to their bingo nights. Now that GM is diversifying its brands again, Buick seems to be regaining its design mojo. But will this new direction be enough to revitalize the brand?
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