CHICAGO, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- While Oldsmobile drives into automotive history, Buick unveiled an upscale LaCrosse sedan featuring lots of soft leather and wood at the Chicago Auto Show.
General Motors Vice Chairman North America Bob Lutz said Buick wants the 2005 LaCrosse to be an "American Lexus," an elegant, high-quality, mid-size vehicle with premium brand appeal at a lower cost than German or Japanese near luxury rivals. The conservatively styled V-6 LaCrosse replaces the Century and Regal sedans and is expected to account for nearly half of Buick sales.
Sales of bland Century and Regal models fell 42 percent in 2003. Prices for LaCrossse are expected to range from mid-$20,000 to mid-$30,000.
Oldsmobile ends 107 years of production with 2004 models.
LaCrosse was delayed for six months while designers and engineers refined the interior to give the car "quiet tuning" -- soft-touch surfaces, laminated glass, and a nimble ride that reduces road noise and vibration.
"LaCrosse is quieter than anything we've ever built, quieter than the competition," said Lutz.
