Brougham All the Things: Avenir Sub-brand to Grow Across Buick Lineup

Matthew Guy
by Matthew Guy

Launched last fall on the new-for-2018 Enclave crossover and extended to the LaCrosse large sedan, Buick now is making noises that the Avenir sub-brand will extend across the lineup, potentially landing on every model it sells.

That didn’t take long. Less than three months ago, we reported Buick brand boss Duncan Aldred said, in reference to Avenir, “We’re not going to force it,” while speaking at a media event near Detroit. It must be tempting to do so, however, when the brand looks across the showroom to see Denali trucks helping push the GMC brand to a record average transaction price north of $55,000.

“As a premium brand, we reach up into luxury and down into mainstream and Avenir is the way we go toe-to-toe, I think, with some of these Tier 1 luxury brands,”Aldred told Automotive News during the Detroit auto show. “You’ll see Avenir roll out across many more models and maybe the whole range over time.”

The Denali sub-brand was allowed a significant gestation period in the early 2000s before it migrated to other models. It was offered exclusively on the Yukon SUV for a solid two years before appearing on the Yukon XL and Sierra. In doing so, it arguably allowed the trim to exceed expectations because it was permitted to grow slowly rather than immediately be pinned to everything the brand built.

In contrast, it has been about four short months since the first Avenir-badged Buick rolled onto dealer lots.

Those with long memories will recall the short-lived C3 trim which preceded Denali on the Sierra. Machines with Denali badging garner a younger and more affluent audience than conventional GMCs, do not disrupt the Cadillac Escalade’s success, and more thoroughly differentiate it from its bowtie brother. Buick seems to be trying the same trick with Avenir.

For 2018, an all-wheel drive Enclave Avenir stickers at $56,795, representing a $5,400 walk from the Premium trim. Its littlest crossover, the Encore, currently tops out at $38,120 with a check-all-the-boxes AWD Premium example. Will the market bear a $40,000-plus Encore Avenir?

The sub-brand’s prospects are greatest, of course, in China, where Buick enjoys a healthy market share and brand image. The Monroney for an Avenir version of the GL8 minivan, shown below, starts at 449,990 yuan (about $70,300). That’s nearly double the price of a base model and 10 percent more than the next trim down from Avenir.

Is Buick jumping the gun with Avenir if it apply it across the lineup? Perhaps. I’m not sure a Regal TourX Avenir would sell any faster than the rate of glacial progression. This author does enjoy the thought of a cushy Buick, and sincerely hopes Mr. Aldred’s interpretation of “over time” is sufficiently lengthy to give Avenir a chance to ingrain itself into the public’s psyche. A stand-alone premium trim, after all, is a terrible thing to waste.

[Images: General Motors]

Matthew Guy
Matthew Guy

Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.

More by Matthew Guy

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  • Ponchoman49 Ponchoman49 on Jan 19, 2018

    Of all vehicles to put this on. LaCrosse sales are shrinking month over month. Making a version that can crest 50 grand is lunacy. Expect about 50 a month of these to sell if they are really lucky.

    • Bd2 Bd2 on Jan 22, 2018

      Sales may be shrinking (due to overall shrinkage in the segment and GM'c reduction in sales to fleet), but ATP for the LaCrosse has been rising. 9 out of 10 LaCrosse buyers purchase the top 2 trims, so think you're underestimating what an Avenir trim will do. That being said, the Avenir trim should include not only a higher-end powertrain, but a higher-end interior.

  • La834 La834 on Jan 20, 2018

    With Buick relying increasingly more on crossovers, and sold in the same showrooms as GMC which also has an upscale subbrand, how are they going to distinguish Buicks from GMCs?

    • See 1 previous
    • Bd2 Bd2 on Jan 22, 2018

      Sheetmetal and direction. JLR doesn't seem to have that problem while adding all those Jaguar crossovers.

  • EBFlex China can F right off.
  • MrIcky And tbh, this is why I don't mind a little subsidization of our battery industry. If the American or at least free trade companies don't get some sort of good start, they'll never be able to float long enough to become competitive.
  • SCE to AUX Does the WTO have any teeth? Seems like countries just flail it at each other like a soft rubber stick for internal political purposes.
  • Peter You know we’ve entered the age of self driving vehicles When KIAs go from being stolen to rolling away by themselves.
  • Analoggrotto TTAC is full of drug addicts with short memories. Just beside this article is another very beautiful article about how the EV9 was internationally voted by a renowned board of automotive experts who are no doubt highly educated, wealthy and affluent; the best vehicle in entire world. That's planet earth for you numbskulls. Let me repeat: the best vehicle in the world is the Kia EV9. Voted, and sealed, and if you try to deny it Fanny Willis is ready to prosecute you; but she will send her boyfriend instead because she is busy.
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