Published by Ash October 27th, 2008
in Buick China and Chinese Car News.
The Buick SUV has been scheduled to come into the Chinese market place for some time, perhaps various small issues with its USA factory going on strike delayed the initial launch, but pricing has now been announced and its not cheap! The Buick Enclave is set to go on the market at 600,000rmb, putting it up there with the likes of the Volvo XC90 and Lexus SUVs in the price stakes, although GM claim that the Enclave is the most luxurious SUV ever, it may actually be worth its price tag!
Enclaves are reportedly on their way to dealers, where rich punters will be able to put down a 20,000rmb deposit for their Enclave. The Enclave has already been given a Chinese name, 昂科, (ang ke) which could mean something along the lines of ’soaring branch’
Published by Ash October 20th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
According to the Chinese automotive media, the Buick Regal, aka the Opel Insignia, is to be delayed until the end of year, the original launch date was set to be October, but it appears to have been pushed back by two months to December 2008, the reasoning hasnt been fully explained as of yet though.
Further information was leaked to the Chinese press, presumebly to quench the thirst that the media have whipped up regarding the new Regal, the old Regal being one of the best selling Buicks in China, its no wonder that the Chinese have a whole lot of love for the new Regal. Prices are set to be from 200,000rmb to 250,000rmb, and engines will be turbo assisted, shying away from the GM (over) reliance on V6 engines for their luxury models, a 1.6T will be used that allegedly produce an impressive 180bhp/230nm and also a 2.0TSIDI which gives out 220bhp/350nm.
An interesting car, look out for its possible launch at the Guangzhou Auto Show!
Published by Ash October 13th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
The upcoming Buick Insignia, err, Buick Regal is looking fantastic! Why are the wheels about 12inch, though? More pictures as we get them!
Published by Ash September 30th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
The last photos we posted regarding the new Buick Regal were heavily camoflauged, making the lines of the Regal hard to see.
The above photos show the Regal looking good in red, although the badging is covered up, you can see the Buick verticle style front grill has been added onto the Insignia. Although engine details have not been released as of yet, we can be sure that it will be pretty similar to the Opel Insignia’s offerings, but probably wont come with any option of a diesel in the PRC.
The new Buick Regal is expected to be launched at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November this year.
Published by Ash September 18th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
The Opel Insignia was unveiled at the 2008 London Auto Show, but CCT readers will know that the car was spotted out testing in the PRC branded as a Buick, as the Insignia seems set to replace the aging Regal.
For Chinese consumers. the Regal was one of the first mass produced Buicks that they could get their hands and money on, and it sold in a vast number until competition in the luxury sedan segment opened up to other players such as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes, although the Regal did manage to bring American luxury to China at an affordable price, something that Germans havent quite yet mastered, although with their sales figures already booming, why would they bring their prices down?
With the popular Regal heading off the stage, the Opel Insignia is expected to be rebrande as the new Buick Regal, and as such, Chinese auto fans have been out scouring the streets near GM headquarters to take pictures (above) of the Insigina out testing.
CCT does not have any solid information on when the Buick Regal/Insignia will make a debut, but we can guess that it will make an appearence at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November.
Published by Ash August 1st, 2008
in Buick China.
The Buick Regal has finally come to an end in the PRC, the Regal was the first ‘big Buick’ to enter the PRC, and perhaps the only ‘true Buick’ to go on sale in the PRC to date.
The Regal only sold 3791 cars in the first half of 2008, a long way from the 8000 cars per month it would sell when it was launched in 2003. A new Buick Regal, a badge engineered, Opel Insignia, is expected to take over the Regal mantle later this year.
Published by Ash July 16th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
Buick is GM’s flagship brand in China, without Buick regulary pumping up sales figures for GM, what shape would they be in now? Its no wonder that GM give Buick China extra special care, in such a boom or bust environment they would be foolish not to.
Many people comment that the Chinese Buick line up is far better than the American one, an odd observation seeing as much of the Buick China line up is taken from other GM divisions, such as Daewoo and Opel, and then badge engineered for the Chinese market. Its a win-win situation for the customer, who for the most part require smaller cars, but also want to believe they are getting a premium brand for bargain bin money. The only real ‘Buick’ that Buick offer to China is the Buick Regal, but it seems that is all about to change…
Continue reading ‘Buick China to get a shake up?’
Published by Ash April 16th, 2008
in Buick China and Shanghai GM.
The original Buick Regal was Buick Chinas first ‘big hit’, it was the first non Asian big car to hit the big time in PRC, middle class executives lapped up the motor which ranged from a pokey 2.0l 16v to 2.5V6 and 3.0 V6 model that offered a decent amount of power and luxury, whilst not breaking the bank. The Buick Regal is certainly getting on a bit in China, and its time for a replacement from GM, who seem to be slowly weening China off the first gen Regal. Much of the Regal line up has been discontinued, only 2.0l 16v standard and higher 2.5V6 models are available now, the 3.0l V6 has disappeared from the line up.
The above photo shows what looks to be an Opel Insignia wearing what could be a Buick front grille.The Chinese motoring press say the lines of the above car, match the below, as of yet unreleased, Opel Insignia.
Published by Ash April 4th, 2008
in Buick China.
The latest generation of Buick Excelle will be officially launched on April 12th this year, a little bit earlier than what we were expecting. The US made, Buick Excelle SUV will also be launched on the same day, giving Buick China a double whammy. Buick China have released a few teaser photos of the new Excelle:
The latest Excelle will still use the same 1.6l engine as the previous generation Excelle, however, we have not heard word of the 1.8l engine. Have GM improved that engine, or will they not offer the 1.8 for the latest generation?
Published by Ash April 3rd, 2008
in Buick China.
The latest incarnation of the Buick Excelle garnered mix results from China Car Times readers, the latest update sees the Excelle’s front end put in line with the rest of the Buick 07/08 line up. The interior, does not seem too bad for what is essentially a cheaper car.
Buick regulary sell over 10,000 Excelles per month, making the Excelle one of the top selling motors in China, hopefully the latest one will continue to do well and perhaps even knock the Jetta/Santana off the top two spots!
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