China's Buick line-up

Buicks are not just for upper-mid level local Communist Party bosses anymore.  In 2009, Buick sold 447,001 vehicles in China.  Here is the line-up (I was shocked; no wonder GM didn't want to kill this brand):

1. Enclave: Luxury crossover made in Michigan and exported to China.  Take that, stubborn trade deficit.

2. GL8: It's a Pontiac Montana, without the roof rack.  The marketing mavens in Shanghai were able to convince the public that this vehicle was meant to be chauffeur-driven!

3. Park Avenue: Look familiar?  It's a Chinese-made Holden Statesman(!), although it's only available with a V6.  This is definitely my favorite.

4. LaCrosse: It's just like the American LaCrosse, only with a different interior, exterior, and engine choices.

5. Regal: Based on the Opel Insignia.

6. Excelle GT: Based on the compact Chevy Cruze.  A version of this will be introduced in America.

7. Excelle: Even the bottom of the rung looks decent, kind of.

Buick trivia: Famous Chinese owners of Buicks included Sun Yat-Sen, the father of modern China, and Pu Yi, the last emperor.