What's Wrong With This Picture: Ad Astra Per Aspera Edition

by Edward Niedermeyer

Published: January 6th, 2011

what s wrong with this picture ad astra per aspera edition

Buick’s Verano aims to bring a touch of class to the compact segment, and what’s classier than a Latin motto? Especially Ad Astra Per Aspera (Through Hardship, To The Stars), the motto used by such refined institutions as Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Buckinghamshire, England and (of course) Starfleet. Unfortunately, the Buick Verano isn’t aiming for the stars… it’s got more humble foes like the Audi A3, Volvo S40 and Lexus IS250 in its sights. In fact, it’s actually “from” the stars… well, it’s closely based on the Opel Astra, anyway. So, make that “Ex Astra Per Aspera.” Although, come to think of it, it didn’t really come through “hardship” so much as “China.” So I suppose the official classy Buick Verano motto should probably be “Ex Astra Per Sina.”

The hardship part comes when GM tries to slot this bad boy between the $22,695-$26,780 Cruze LTZ and the $26,995-$36,105 Buick Regal. Or when they realize that neither the Audi A3 nor the Volvo S40 cracked 7k units last year (Lexus doesn’t break out IS250 numbers, but if were half of the IS-line mix, it would have sold 17k units last year). Keeping it classy in the compact segment just isn’t that easy.

#3WTP #Design #Luxury

Edward Niedermeyer

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2 of 35 comments

Daga on Jan 06, 2011

I guess the Buick-GMC dealers call for a pontiac replacement was heeded. God forbid GM exhibiting some channel discipline.

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Kita Ikki on Jan 07, 2011

6 plasti-chrome "Venti-Ports" with 4 cylinders inside ...

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