Buick

Legendary car brand. One of the oldest in the US, survived to this day.

It all started in 1899, when the talented engineer David Buick, a Scot by origin, founded the company Buick Manufacturing Company, which was engaged in the production of automobile engines, using its own unique developments for this. Over time, Buick decided to aim at the production of cars, sold the company and founded with the proceeds in 1902 Buick Motor Car Company, whose products the world saw already in 1903. This was not the first development of a talented engineer, but for the first time he tried his hand at mass production of cars. And he didn’t succeed - the lack of talent of a businessman prevented him.

Introduced by him in 1904, the car (Model B) not only favorably differed from competitors from a technical point of view, but was also very expensive, which prevented the young company from getting on its feet. Buick never managed to deal with the many financial problems that emerged and he was forced to sell his offspring. In total, only a few dozen cars were produced during this period.

1954 Buick Century Riviera

In 1908, the company was acquired by Crapo Duran, who later founded General Motors. Buick became one of the first companies in the corporate bond GM, becoming a real diamond in its frame. Duran didn't understand technology at all, he didn't care much about cars, but he was a talented businessman. By 1909 cars Buick already sold in the thousands. More and more perfect models begin to appear. The brand fell in love with the general public, while remaining extremely prestigious, but quite affordable. As for David Buick, he then tried himself in several more endeavors, but they all ended in failure.

In the 1920s, many divisions General Motors were profitable. The exceptions were Cadillac и Buick. The situation was saved by someone Alfred Sloan, vice president GM. He decided to clearly position the brands, giving each his own role. What was done, only 5 stamps out of 7 were saved. Buick took an honorable middle place. In 1929, the millionth car was produced.

К концу 30-х годов марка обрела щит на логотипе. Вместо простой надписи прописью стал использоваться герб древнего шотландского рода Бьюиков. Видоизменяясь, но сохраняя узнаваемый вид, логотип существовал до 1959 года, когда количество щитов увеличилось до трех — в честь трех моделей, выпускаемых компанией: Electra, LeSabre, Invicta. В 1975 году, в связи с запуском в производство флагманской модели Skyhawk, щиты были заменены на сокола, парящего над надписью Buick. Но век этого логотипа оказался не слишком долгим — в 1990 году он ушел на свалку истории, вместе с Skyhawk. И вновь вернулись три щита, правда уже не напыщенно-геральдические а простые, в духе модерна.

1963 Buick Wildcat 4 Door Hardtop

However, we digress. Real heyday Buick began in the postwar period. The demand for powerful and luxurious cars grew rapidly. In the early 50s, cars of this brand diverged in hundreds of thousands of copies. At that time, few people thought about saving, and cars of this class sometimes consumed up to 30 liters per 100 kilometers. Exceptionally luxurious and provocative models appear, the brand is at the zenith of its glory.

In the future, everything was not so smooth. Since the late 1960s, a slow decline has begun. And as the most Buick, and all GM. Wrong marketing has done its dirty work. Brand cars Buick gradually began to differ from other brands of the company, in fact, only in name. A similar model range, exorbitant appetites of engines, poor build quality led to the fact that users began to look towards much more interesting Japanese cars. The situation was further aggravated by the oil crisis of the 1970s.

From the end of the twentieth century to the present day, the division Buick deals with small and not very interesting middle class models, created mainly for the American market. The beginning of the 21st century was marked by the promotion of this brand to the Asian market.