General Motors-SAIC has big plans in China with regards to more plug-in vehicles, hybrids and battery electric vehicles. As the automaker plans its future roadmap in China, two-thirds of new vehicles will fall feature some sort of electrification.
To support the slew of new vehicles, GM plans to open a new battery assembly plant in China later this year. Buick has taken the lead on new, electrified products after the brand introduced the LaCrosse Hybrid and the Velite 5. The two vehicles are the beginning of the “Buick Blue” strategy, which calls for more alternative propulsion methods.
A dedicated battery electric vehicle will follow.
While battery technology begins to trickle into more Chinese products, GM isn’t forgetting about the internal combustion engine. New small displacement engines are on track to be introduced in future Chinese vehicles, which will be paired with the automaker’s latest 9-speed automatic transmission. The latest powertrains will help reduce emissions and provide greater efficiency for Chinese consumers.
However, GM-SAIC will sweeten the deal for potential plug-in hybrid customers. As it fears future subsidies from the Chinese government for electric vehicles may disappear, the automaker itself will offer a subsidy on the Buick Velite 5, totaling about $5,233 USD.
The battery plant to support the upcoming EVs, PHEVs and EREVs will go online later this year.
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