Chevrolet Lumina comes to the Philippines

[AG4]

Kahit babaan pa nila presyo nila, PANGET at LUMANA yang Lumina. hahahahaha!

Its not really that bad looking, its just showing its age like the Yulon-Nissan Cefiro still being sold here.
Get one and slap on some big 19 inch alloys on 235/40ZR19 tires.


By the way, here is a spy photo of the Shanghai-GM Buick Regal/ RP Chevy Lumina(?) replacement.

[yuichi]

oo buick regal yan d2 sa china.....sobrang laki at pangmatanda sya. dati uso yan d2 pero ngyon mas prefer nila mga new gen bmw's ,audi a-series, VW passat, MB at ibpa.

[theveed]

Nagiisip kay GM management???

How can it even make money with every sale of this POS???

I doubt if this can even compete with the Sonata of Hyundai...

[AG4]

I doubt if this can even compete with the Sonata of Hyundai...

The all-new Sonata can probably beat the old Lumina.
Here, the Sonata 3.3 V6 is targeted at other large displacement V6 mid-size sedans while the Lumina 2.5L is targeted as an alternative to the lower end 4-cylinder sedans.
According to basti08, Chevrolet sold around 33 Luminas vs Hyundai's 12 units of Sonatas as of October last year...

GM Philippines will most likely stick with the next gen Buick premium sedan as their mid-size contender(Lumina replacement).


The other possible option for GM Philippines is to switch to the slightly smaller Chevy Evanda/Epica.

[Jun aka Pekto]

The all-new Sonata can probably beat the old Lumina.

Unless that Lumina has the GM 240hp supercharged 3.8L V6, it'll be owned by the Sonata.

I had an SVT Focus in front me smoking his tires and throwing pebbles toward my car. He then tried to run off thinking he had a bad ass car and can pull away from the lowly Hyundai behind him. Not! I breathed down his tailpipe all the way to the next stop. Then, he feigned innocence when I pulled up beside him. Luckily the only thing dented was my Philippine flag license plate. These kids. They think they can get away with anything.....

[AG4]

Unless that Lumina has the GM 240hp supercharged 3.8L V6, it'll be owned by the Sonata.

Large displacement cars don't really sell that well here, I think Hyundai made a big mistake by only offering the 3.3 liter V6 Sonata.
If they sold the 2.4 liter Sonata here... now that probably would have done better.

[basti08]

if Cefiro is old...what more is the Lumina? its a regal introduced in the US around early 96 as 97model. but its platform is way older than that...if im not mistaken, its just a warmed over platform that was already used in the 80s.
at least, the Cefiro's platform started all new just in 94. althou its still old ;p

[carlocaraddict]

i'd choose the cefiro over the Lumina.

[AG4]

The USDM Buick Regal was launched as a 1997 1/2 model according to Road & Track(June 1997 issue).
The Shanghai-GM version we have here was facelifted(both exterior and interior) for the 2003 MY.

[AG4]

i'd choose the cefiro over the Lumina.

I'd go for an all-new Camry...

But between the 2 old cars... maybe the Lumina, its an old school american luxury car thats nice bling.


Based on reviews the Lumina 2.5 (Regal) has a quieter and more luxurious ride. (Buick is marketed as a premium brand above Chevrolet).

[Jun aka Pekto]

I can't imagine a Regal without the supercharged V6. Even worse would be a Regal with an engine displacement the same size as my Contour's.

[AG4]

I can't imagine a Regal without the supercharged V6. Even worse would be a Regal with an engine displacement the same size as my Contour's.

2.5 liters may be small by American standards, but 2.0 liter to 2.5 liter engines are common for mid-size cars in Asia/ASEAN markets.
Some brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan offer both large displacement(3-liter) V6 models and entry level small displacement models(2-liter to 2.4 liters). Most of the car buyers prefer the smaller engined models of course...

[cardo]

Actually, its not only the lumina which is rebadged as Buick in China. Even the Venture and Optra are rebadged as Buick models.

Ok naman ang regal/lumina although I don't get to drive it(company rules). Our local driver gets to enjoy the peppy v6 engine. As a backseat passenger, the suspension is nice. very comfy. no complaints here. Lots of room... its all leather as well(tan). It has a convenient cooler box, though it is very small - just a single bottle of water can fit. no speakers on the doors but sound is decent. this car reminds me of my 97 galant when I was a bachelor

[eggman]

Ok naman ang Lumina pero peste ang bulid quality ng materials nya,very cheap still the ride and equipment looks good IMHO.Kaya nga kung ako sa GM Phils eh gawing 1M nalang ang Lumina para maraming bumili.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Wala na yung Regal dito. Dapat itanggal na rin yung Lumina diyan at palitan nito:

Pontiac G6:


Or this:

G6 GTP:

[Jun aka Pekto]

GM is pretty big and has several brands under it, including Chevy, Buick, and Pontiac. Among the 3, Pontiac seems to have the better lineup. GM should concentrate on bringing Pontiac cars there.

Right now, the (Chevy) Lumina is a dead name. But, there should be a new Chevy Lumina coming out with 5.7L V8 and 330hp probably next year.

[AG4]

Actually, its not only the lumina which is rebadged as Buick in China. Even the Venture and Optra are rebadged as Buick models.

GM's minivan and compact sedan are sold in China as Buicks. They needed a premium brand for China(some marketing thing) so they introduced the Buick.

The RP market Chevy Venture is a rebadged Shanghai-GM Buick GL8.
Now the Shanghai-GM Buick GL8 is a rebadged USDM Pontiac Transsport with a smaller standard engine. The USDM Pontiac Transsport is the sister model of the USDM Chevrolet Venture. Since all these GM minivans basically use the same body, its possible to make different combinations, this is the reason why the RP market Venture has the same grill as the USDM Venture, but uses the sportier rims, bumpers and body cladding of the Pontiac Transsport.
*there is a new facelifted Buick GL8/ Venture for 2006.

On the other hand, the RP market Chevy Lumina is really a Buick Regal(made by Shanghai-GM).
This is based on the recently discontinued USDM Regal except it has smaller engines. The Buick Regal is a premium mid-size sedan.
I believe the RP is the only market where the Buick Regal is sold as a Chevrolet.

[AG4]

GM should concentrate on bringing Pontiac cars there.

Right now, the (Chevy) Lumina is a dead name. But, there should be a new Chevy Lumina coming out with 5.7L V8 and 330hp probably next year.

GM is trying to narrow down their brands in the RP, so I don't think they would introduce another brand like Pontiac to the Philippines, besides Chevrolet is more popular than Pontiac here in the RP.
Another thing with USDM models, they have huge gas guzzling engines(big V6 and V8 engines) and these cars would also cost more to import.
A large chunk of the mid-size sedan market in the RP is made up of cars with 2-liter - 2.4 liter engines.

According to some recent rumors, GM Philippines will most likely source their next mid-size sedan from Shanghai-GM.

There are no details yet, but it should be based on the USDM Buick LaCrosse, and will have a more formal look.

By the way, I think the Pontiac G6 Coupe looks awkward... Its cab-forward styling and a long wheelbase is not fit for a coupe.
Here's the profile of the G6 Coupe.

[Jun aka Pekto]

Another thing with USDM models, they have huge gas guzzling engines(big V6 and V8 engines) and these cars would also cost more to import.
A large chunk of the mid-size sedan market in the RP is made up of cars with 2-liter - 2.4 liter engines.

The V8's are definitely out of the question. But, the V6 can probably manage. Their gas mileage isn't any worse than BMW. Plus there certainly are many gas guzzlers out there especially Evos and Subarus WRX/STi's. The gas mileage of those cars are a lot worse than my 3.3L Sonata. GM have 4-cylinder cars with potent performance and excellent gas mileage such as the Cobalt SS supercharged. Somebody needs to whack them on the head and bring that car over. There's Ford who have 4-cylinder versions of the Fusion and of course the Focus which is already there. There's no lack of suitable vehicles which can be shipped there.

According to some recent rumors, GM Philippines will most likely source their next mid-size sedan from Shanghai-GM. I posted the spy photo of the replacement for the Shanghai-GM Buick Regal(RP market Lumnina) in the previous pages.

The Regal chassis is way too big and heavy for a 2.5L V6. 4-cylinder versions of the G6 may come out which is more suitable for the Philippine market.

By the way, I think the Pontiac G6 Coupe looks really odd... cab-forward styling and a long wheelbase is not fit for a coupe.

It does look strange. But, it doesn't look much worse than an Accord V6 coupe or a Toyota Solara. I'm sure they weren't designed to compete in the track. I'd love to have one if my wife would let me buy a coupe again.

[Jun aka Pekto]

About the G6 Coupe. Maybe they're designed for big American guys who need the room....