2010 Buick LaCrosse

Designers take a global approach to Buick’s newest sedan

By Nina Russin

2010 Buick LaCrosse

The new General Motors brings with it four core brands: Chevrolet and GMC, both volume leaders, and the more upscale Buick and Cadillac. GM execs know that Buick’s turnaround hinges on bringing younger buyers into the showroom. The Enclave crossover vehicle was the first Buick designed for drivers with active lifestyles.

The 2010 LaCrosse sedan appeals to a similar market. It is the first American car built on GM’s global midsize architecture: the same platform used for the Opel Insignia. Buick is targeting two markets: the United States and China. Designers made the LaCrosse four inches longer than the Opel, translating to more room in the back seats and trunk.

The LaCrosse engineering team, based in Europe, included members from North America and Asia. A team in Shanghia designed the car’s interior, while a group out of Detroit penned the exterior. Although the LaCrosse is a huge departure from Buicks that came before it, the team kept the brand’s design heritage in mind, incorporating portholes, the waterfall grille, and sweep spears in the beltlines from classic models. Read the rest of this entry »