http://www.freep.com/article/20090819/BUSINESS01/90819069/1320/Buick-kills-crossover-that-drew-jeers
In a striking and atypical move, General Motors Co. today announced that it had killed plans for a compact Buick crossover ? plans that were announced less than two weeks ago.
Since that time, GM brought about 100 consumers, as well as industry analysts and automotive journalists, to its Warren Technical Center to get a sneak peak at its future product pipeline.
That unnamed Buick vehicle, which was slated to hit the market late next year, got poor reviews, however.
?We were all struck by the consistency of the criticism of the compact crossover,? Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman for product development, wrote on a GM blog today. ?And what we decided to do in response is a good example of the essence of the new General Motors? acting quickly, and boldly, and listening to feedback from customers, employees, dealers, media and just about anyone else with an opinion.?
Stephens said GM decided to cancel the project after GM?s executive committee met last Friday and discussed reaction to the vehicle. ?It was decided that if it didn?t belong, it didn?t belong,? Stephens wrote.
In 2011, GM had planned to offer the Buick crossover with hybrid plug-in technology in what it had been touting as the first SUV crossover to offer such technology.
Instead, GM will apply the technology to another vehicle, according to Stephens. ?At no delay,? he noted. Further details would be released later.
As the Free Press had reported, some of the consumers specially invited into GM?s secret design studio were less than impressed with the Buick crossover.
Consumer Joel Feder of the Minneapolis-area wrote on his Twitter page about the vehicle during the tour, calling it ?hideous.?
After emerging from bankruptcy July 10, GM CEO Fritz Henderson has promised the new company would do a better job listening and reacting to customers.
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