Opel Insignia is Next Buick Regal

Another rumor that's been flying around for some has been confirmed: Buick is bringing back the Regal nameplate in America, and it will be a North American version of Europe's Opel Insignia. The Regal has been a well regarded name within Buick for quite some time, and making a U.S. version of an Opel also fits in with GM's penchant for sharing platforms and saving money. But there's some other interesting twists and turns here.

The word is that the US-spec Buick Regal will be identical to the Chinese market version of the same car, and the Chinese version is based on the European Opel Insignia. Wait, they sell a Buck Regal in China but not here, you ask?

Indeed they do. That's one of the reasons why the corporate ex fell on Pontiac when it did. Although they sell more Pontiacs in America than Buicks, they sell more Buicks in China in a month than GM sold Pontiacs in a year. Hence, the downfall of Pontiac. And that also explains why the "new" Regal is headed this way.

Susan Docherty, Buick GMC General Manager, had this to say: "The transformation of Buick began with our luxury crossover, the Buick Enclave and continued this year with the launch of the 2010 LaCrosse premium sedan. We're thrilled to announce that the Regal will be the next member of the Buick family."

It's also worth keeping in mind that even though the Regal hasn't been produced for the past six years, it still has one of the best nameplate recognition scores for Buick. With the announcement GM did not say when the Regal will go on sale in the States, but it should show up at dealerships towards the end of 2010 or early 2011. Engine options will probably include 4-cylinder turbocharged units as well as a V6.

And no, for you motorheads out there with a long memory and dreams of a modern GNX revival, there most likely won't be one on the cards. A shame really, because in Europe there is the Opel Insignia OPC that features all-wheel drive and a 325HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6. So a modern day GNX is completely possible, if GM could just find a reason to build it.

Source: CarScoop