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.December 10, 2003
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This Week:

• The New BMW 6 Series Convertible Makes Its World Debut At The 2004 Detroit Auto Show

• Saab 9-2X: Summary: New Benchmark Among Dynamic Premium Compacts

• 2005 Chrysler and Dodge Minivans Designed From The Inside Out

• Toyota Prius Hybrid Production Increased By 31 Percent For U.S. Market

• 2005 Focus: The First Salvo In Ford's "Year Of The Car" Product Blitz

• Terraza Brings Buick SUV Refinement Into Premium End Of Mini-Van Segment

• Porsche's growth continues

• Consistent implementation of the new product naming strategy: smart city-coupé becomes smart fortwo as of 2004

• BMW M3 for 2004: The legend continues

• Delphi Invests in New China and Korea Technical Centers

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Terraza Brings Buick SUV Refinement Into Premium End Of Mini-Van Segment

Photo: GM

Buick has a long-earned reputation for transporting families in a premium way. Terraza, the third entry in Buick's growing truck portfolio, continues this tradition, bringing Buick refinement into the growing premium end of the mid-van segment. With its ability to carry seven people and plenty of cargo, the Terraza crossover sport van (CSV) complements Rendezvous and Rainier in the Buick truck lineup by combining SUV features like bold front-end styling with the functionality required by customers in the mid-van segment. Like Rendezvous and Rainier, Terraza is expected to continue the trend of bringing new and younger customers into Buick showrooms. Terraza, available in CX and uplevel CXL models, is expected to attract the attention of affluent married couples with children.

"Terraza positions Buick in the growth area of the mid-van market," said Roger Adams, Buick general manager. "Although the overall segment has declined slightly the last few years, sales of $30,000-plus vehicles have grown from 19 percent to 24 percent of the mid-van market.

"Terraza is another proof point of Buick's commitment to the truck market," added Adams. "Terraza will appeal to families who need mid-van functionality and also appreciate understated elegance on the inside and real style on the outside."

Buick's approach to trucks is to weave sedan values into the equation without compromising truck utility and functionality. The focus is on four attributes: power, ride, quiet and style. These distinguishing attributes are all part of the Terraza.

Power

The horsepower and torque of the overhead valve 3500 3.5-liter V-6 provide excellent launch feel and responsive performance at all driving speeds. Its estimated power ratings -- 200 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque -- are highly competitive with those of other mid-vans.

Ride

A Terraza-exclusive standard independent long-and-short-arm rear suspension and a unique Ride and Handling package provide premium ride. These features, combined with the new world-class braking system that includes larger 16-inch brakes and four-wheel-discs, 17-inch tires, and the availability of StabiliTrak -- GM's advanced Vehicle Stability Enhancement System (VSES) -- provide superior handling and control in almost any driving conditions. Terraza's VSES maximizes handling, braking and acceleration dynamics by using a combination of systems, including stability enhancement, anti-lock braking system and traction control.

Terraza also offers as an option GM's Versatrak all-wheel-drive system (not available with VSES). If one or both front wheels lose traction, the Versatrak system automatically transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also from side to side between the rear wheels to help maintain grip.

(December 4, 2003)