The blog post from Edmund's Inside Line about the Encore has some really interesting quotes.
http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline...eiled.html#more
Quote:
Like most of the cars GM builds and sells in China, the Encore is engineered in South Korea, and the plant in Bupyeong will handle assembly for the U.S., though GM President Mark Reuss was careful to leave the door open for potential North American assembly when we spoke to him today. However, he closed the door to the possibility of badge engineering.
"We're not doing Chevrolets off this platform," he said. "The last thing we want to do is put a Chevrolet alongside this and take Equinox sales away."
Possible N. American production if it sells well, but "no way t" to brand engineering? Smart. GM is learning.
As far as size goes, it about the same as the BMW X1 and Audi Q3, but...
Quote:
And while the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 (which have yet to be launched in the U.S.) look like obvious Encore rivals, Reuss says they're not direct targets.
"It's not a performance entry, it's not an Audi entry.... It's really carving out a Buick definition of size and luxury in this space," he said.
How many cars have been launched from any number of automakers stating something to the effect that "our comparison in development was the BMW 3 series"? Of course, it's never close to a 3 series.
It's refreshing to hear someone say, "No, it's not designed to compete with BMW or an Audi," instead of playing lip service to it's customers.
About the 1.4L turbo:
Quote:
Notably, the Encore is the first GM vehicle to combine the 1.4-liter turbo with active noise-cancellation technology. Microphones in the car pick up assorted engine noises, which then get processed and mixed with counteracting noise that plays through the speakers. Federico tells us this engine (which in our experience, is on the shrill side) couldn't have otherwise been used in a Buick.
"With active noise control, we can bring this engine into a Buick," he said.
Not a new technology for GM, but it gives a bit of insight that the product development teams at Buick take what they market seriously. Without ANC, the 1.4L can't be in a Buick? I guess that explains why it's not an option for the Verano, which shares a platform with the Cruze.
GM is sticking to it's guns and putting out product developed to some type of standard, instead of just pushing out whatever they think will sell. This is good.
