NC dealer falsely announces return of Regal Grand National, Regal GNX
Wed, Dec 3 2014
Like many new car dealers, Liberty Buick GMC gets so excited about its brands' new wares that it puts out press releases announcing when new models are on the way. That's not typically national news, but the Charlotte, NC store has created a bit of internet hubbub by announcing that it will be "one of the first dealers in the country to offer the Buick Regal GNX," and it's even started to add customers names to a waitlist.
Only one problem: Despite seemingly annual rumors and calls for such a model, Buick hasn't announced any Grand National models at all – let alone a GNX – and no such models are actually in the cards.
The Liberty Buick press release talks in a nostalgic, venerative tone of the original 1982-1987 GN franchise, and goes on to say:
"These returning relics will be based on the highly-acclaimed Alpha vehicle architecture currently used in the Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, and soon to be in the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro. Alpha is the internal name of a General Motors vehicle architecture engineered to underpin compact and mid-size rear-wheel-drive vehicles."
In the release, Liberty Buick claimed the GN/GNX models would arrive in late 2015, citing a coupe bodystyle, including a rather fantastical-looking GNX rendering from Bestride.com.
Unsurprisingly, none of this is true. Autoblog reached out to Buick for comment about the release, and brand communications manager Nick Richards confirmed that the company had discussed the matter with Liberty Buick representatives. Richards went on to say that the release was wholly incorrect, proclaiming "an agency [for the dealer] picked up a lot of stuff off the internet" and ran with it, including an old Car and Driver story from 2013. The dealership subsequently issued a retraction, with Scott McCorkle, owner of Liberty Buick GMC saying:
Unsurprisingly, none of this is true. Autoblog reached out to Buick for comment about the release, and brand communications manager Nick Richards confirmed that the company had discussed the matter with Liberty Buick representatives. Richards went on to say that the release was wholly incorrect, proclaiming "an agency [for the dealer] picked up a lot of stuff off the internet" and ran with it, including an old Car and Driver story from 2013. The dealership subsequently issued a retraction, with Scott McCorkle, owner of Liberty Buick GMC saying:
"We love the idea of the Buick Regal GNX coming back to our showroom but for now, it's only a concept. Bottom-line, the article was incorrect. Facts were not checked and we sincerely regret releasing the information."
When we posited that perhaps the release was the result of Liberty Buick misinterpreting something about future Regal product in a dealer meeting to Richards, he flatly denied the idea, saying the release was purely the result of "a rogue agency."
Liberty Buick GMC is announcing the return of the Buick Regal Grand National and the Regal GNX
As Charlotte's flagship Buick store Liberty Buick GMC will be one of the first dealers in the country to offer the Buick Regal GNX.
Charlotte, NC (PRWEB) November 30, 2014
The waiting list for the new Buick Regal GNX began on Black Friday, 2014 at Liberty Buick GMC in South Charlotte NC.
The Buick Regal GNX was first announced in the 1980's and is making a big come-back in 2015!
"Customers have already started calling about test driving one of these new cars, " reports Scott McCorkle, owner of Liberty Buick GMC. "We are adding their names to a waiting list," he adds.
The 1980's were known for some very cool technology. It was the decade the personal computer found its market replacing the IBM Selectric typewriter on office desks. Video games systems like Pac-Man and Golden Axe became an extension to American televisions, and who could forget the Walkman being sported by many during a workout or a walk in the park. But according to muscle car enthusiasts, the coolest of technology came in the form of high-performance cars – the Buick Regal Grand National and its high performance big brother the Regal GNX.
"The Buick Regal Grand National, along with the Chevy Corvette, was about the coolest performance car to be had in the 80's," says McCorkle. "This new model will again compete in the high performance category, but will have a bit of luxury added in for the price."
In 1982, Buick introduced a limited edition Buick Regal Grand National and then in 1987 its high performance big brother the Regal GNX. Named after the Grand National Winston Cup series it participated in, the Grand Regal was only available from 1982-1987. Buick went out with a bang in 1987 producing the Regal GNX model, representing the epitome of performance for the Regal. Only 547 Regal GNX's were ever produced, making it a collector's item for car enthusiasts. A total of 26,000 Buick Regal Grand National cars were produced in the six years of production.
"There are just a few details available now about these new exciting cars," says Scott McCorkle. "We do know that Buick will be offering both models once again - the Regal Grand National and the high-performance Regal GNX sport-luxury coupe. These returning relics will be based on the highly-acclaimed Alpha vehicle architecture currently used in the Cadillac ATS, 2014 Cadillac CTS, and soon to be in the sixth-generation Chevy Camaro. Alpha is the internal name of a General Motors vehicle architecture engineered to underpin compact and mid-size rear-wheel-drive vehicles."
The Regal GN and GNX coupes will join the currently popular Buick luxury sport Regal sedan. Scott McCorkle expects to have these new high performance Regals in his showroom floor in late 2015.
The Scott McCorkle Family of Dealerships now includes Liberty Buick GMC,Mount Airy Toyota Scion, and Mount Airy Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. For more information on any Buick GMC model, stop in to visit or take a test drive at 9028 East Independence Blvd. in Charlotte and Matthews.
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North Carolina Buick Dealer Jumped The Gun! The New Buick Regal Grand National Is Not Currently Being Produced By Buick.
The dealership has apparently received several phone calls from people that are excited about the return of this car. After checking with authorities at GM however, it was clear that the car will not be on the Liberty Buick GMC lot in the fall of 2015.
Liberty Buick GMC does have a great lineup of Buick Models that are on the lot right now.
"We are very excited that we have had so much interest in our Buick inventory outside of the Buick GNX buzz. The Buick LaCrosse and Buick Enclave continue to be two of our top sellers! We hope our customers and Buick Fans will visit us and take advantage of the excellent year-end savings no matter which Buick Model they favor," said McCorkle.
Liberty has one of the largest Buick inventories in North Carolina. Their dealership is located on the border of Matthews and Charlotte, NC. McCorkle and his team receive awards each year for their excellent customer service. For more information on the Buick Enclave, Buick LaCrosse, Buick Regal, Buick Verano or Buick Encore call 704-708-8000 to speak to a sales representative.
By Chris Paukert
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