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A Buick Regal wagon is coming to America

The signs have all been pointing to the US getting a Buick version of the gorgeous Opel Insignia wagon, and we now have the most concrete evidence yet that the rumors were true. Our spy photographer caught one of the wagons out testing, and it features a number of styling cues that indicate this one is coming to America. The most obvious change is the grille. While the overall shape remains the same, the look of the grille itself is altered. The geometric slats of the Opel- and Holden-badged versions have been exchanged for Buick's trademark waterfall bars. The badge itself is significantly larger, too. Aside from that, a close look reveals subtle changes along the lower edge of the car. The fenders seem to be slightly flared. They're complemented by sideskirts that are rounder and chunkier than that of the normal Insignia wagon. These styling touches also suggest that this Buick variant will take on the psuedo-crossover aesthetic with black plastic body cladding. If this is the case, the Buick Regal wagon could be the high-riding, plastic-clad Regal TourX that's been rumored. We know that General Motors trademarked the TourX name a while back, and Buick wants more crossovers or crossover-esque vehicles since they make up the majority of the brand's sales. It would also be an excellent option to established models such as the Audi A4 Allroad, Volvo V60 Cross Country, and Subaru Outback. Considering the fact that we've seen the Opel Insignia and Holden Commodore revealed already, we expect the Buick versions to be fully revealed sometime this year. Related Video:

General Motors posts record earnings, but global sales fall

General Motors started the year with record success. The automaker's $2.7 billion in adjusted earnings before interest and taxes was its highest ever in in the first quarter of 2016, up from $2.1 billion in from the same time period a year earlier. Net income grew to $1.95 billion, which was more than double the $953 million in the same period last year. The company's figures also beat analysts' predictions, according to the Detroit Free Press. Despite the financial growth, global sales actually decreased by 2.5 percent to 2.36 million vehicles. "We're growing where it counts, gaining retail share in the US, outpacing the industry in Europe and capitalizing on robust growth in SUV and luxury segments in China," CEO Mary Barra said in the company's financial announcement. GM did well in North America with an adjusted EBIT of $2.3 billion, up from $2.2 billion last year. Sales in the region also grew 1.2 percent to 800,000 vehicles. According to The Detroit Free Press, the company has been especially successful at selling more expensive models in the US. The company's average vehicle was $34,600 in Q1, about $3,000 more than the industry average. Elsewhere in the world, GM also showed improvement. Europe practically broke even after losing about $200 million last year, and Opel and Vauxhall sales grew 8.4 percent to more than 300,000 vehicles for the quarter. South America only lost $100 million, which was half as much as Q1 2015's $200 million loss. China remained flat at $500 million of income. Cadillac volume jumped 6.1 percent there, and Buick's deliveries increased 22 percent, thanks to the Envision crossover's success. GM Reports First-Quarter Net Income of $2.0 Billion 2016-04-21 EPS diluted of $1.24; First-quarter record EPS diluted-adjusted of $1.26 First-quarter record EBIT-adjusted of $2.7 billion GM Europe posts break-even performance DETROIT – General Motors Co. (NYSE: GM) today announced first-quarter net income to common stockholders of $2.0 billion or $1.24 per diluted share, compared to $0.9 billion or $0.56 per diluted share a year ago. Earnings per share diluted-adjusted for special items was a first-quarter record at $1.26, up 47 percent compared to the first quarter of 2015. The company set first-quarter records for earnings and margin, with earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) adjusted of $2.7 billion and EBIT-adjusted margin of 7.1 percent.

GM announces 3 new recalls affecting 1.7M vehicles in North America [w/video]

Still embroiled in the ongoing ignition switch recall, General Motors announced today three more discrete recalls, affecting a grand total of 1,546,900 vehicles in the US. The Detroit News reports that some 1.7 million vehicles are affected overall in North America. The first and largest of the trio of new recalls concerns some 1.18-million Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia crossovers from the 2008-2013 model years, Chevrolet Traverse from 2009-2013 (pictured above) and Saturn Outlook vehicles from 2008-2010. All of the crossover utilities may have an issue with the wiring harness for their seat-mounted side airbags. Apparently, the vehicles are equipped with a Service Air Bag warning light that, if ignored, "will eventually result in the non-deployment of the side impact restraints." Those restraints include the side airbags, a front-center airbag if the vehicle is so equipped and seatbelt pretensioners. Dealers of affected vehicles will be instructed to remove driver and passenger side airbag wiring harness connectors, and then "splice and solder the wires together." The second recall affects 303,000 Chevrolet Express (pictured right) and GMC Savana vans from model years 2009-2014, and with gross vehicle weights under 10,000 pounds. Said vehicles do not comply with a head impact requirement for unrestrained occupants, and will need a reworking of the instrument panel material to be sent back on the road. It doesn't sound as though there's a quick fix for this one, as the GM press release states: "Unsold vehicles have been placed on a stop delivery until development of the solution has been completed and parts are available." Finally, the third recall affects 63,900 Cadillac XTS luxury sedans from model years 2013 and 2014. A brake booster pump may be susceptible to corrosion by way of the relay, potentially causing and electrical short, overheating, melting of plastic components and even engine fires. GM says it is aware of two engine fires in unsold XTS models and two cases of melted parts. Repairs for the issues affecting the XTS have not not mentioned by GM in the release. The Detroit News is also reporting that along with news of the triple-recall, GM is taking a $300-million credit to help pay for the repair costs, and to deal with the ongoing costs associated with the ignition switch recall. In an attempt to explain just what GM has been doing in the face of these very serious issues, newly minted CEO Mary Barra has addressed the issues in a new video.