Buick Will Play A Major Part In GM’s Electric Car Strategy
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General Motors rolled out its plans for an all-electric future in the years to come and promised 20 new electric cars by 2023. Two all-new electric cars will arrive in the next 18 months. Although Chevrolet will absolutely be a major part of the strategy, Buick will become an important leader in the electric vehicle segment, mostly due to its relevance in China.
WardsAuto reports the brand will roll out its first all-electric car in 2019 based on the Chevrolet Bolt EV. News of this car first broke earlier this year, and Buick will likely position the car as an upscale alternative to the Bolt EV. “Buick will play a huge part” in GM’s broad electrification strategy, Duncan Aldred, Buick chief, said.
He admitted, however, legislation and regulations will drive a lot of vehicle electrification. This is especially true in China where the country will require new-energy vehicles (zero emission cars) to make up 10 percent of an automaker’s sales in 2019. The regulation will climb to 12 percent in 2020. All the while, China continues to build a plan to phase out the internal-combustion engine in the near future. And China is incredibly important to Buick, and GM as a whole, so it’s easy to understand why Buick will follow the electron trail.
“We’re GM’s biggest brand in the world’s biggest market, Aldred added. “You’ll see a number of different technologies to go toward (our) zero-emissions objective.”
One major setback in Buick’s electrification goals is the brand’s luxury status. Things like leather seats, premium materials and other niceties add weight; adding weight to an electric car is never a positive attribute with regards to range estimates. Aldred said GM’s next-generation battery technology won’t sacrifice premium appointments in the name of range.
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We expect to finally see the long awaited Buick Electra, but it must be a midsized or large electric sedan, not a relabeled Bolt EV.
Why does GM refuse to offer a Panaromic Roof on the Volt or Bolt?
I would like to get an EV but cannot drive a car without a sunroof.
Added weight lowers range
I don’t see Tesla having the slightest range issues due to their huge Panaramic Roof especially in AWD Form. . Just saying lol
You can’t drive a car without a sunroof! Really are you kidding Me? That has got to be the dumbest thing I have ever heard anybody say!
But if this is how you roll then you do realize that you can have a sunroof installed on your own. I have in the past, it was done at the dealer.
So what’s the next excuse you have for not buying a bolt?
Yes I do not like owning a car which does not have a sunroof. Is that ok with you?
Should I ask you what features I should get on my next car so I know I’m not ordering something idiotic?
Just please offer AWD. The only way many people in the Northeast will really jump on board for electric vehicles is with AWD. Tesla offers it, its time for GM too as well.
Folks this who,e deal is in the beginning stages.
Yes Tesla has AWD but it also is in a larger car that they can put a larger battery in that cost $120,000.
GM is trying to do the difficult First and make a smaller car with a decent range and sell at a price an average customer can afford.
The future of Buick taking a lead here is smart. The price range better supports this and China pushing EV cars will make this a real global effort.
GM right now is much farther along than most MFG and should continue to advance well.
Rebadges and more e-assist most likely.
First mfg to solve ev for CUVs/trucks/AWD will likely have a huge start.
Tesla’s got some solutions, but expense and range-worthiness and production issues seem prohibitive, for the time being.
Well the article above says that Buick’s electric vehicle will be based on the Chevy Bolt . This is a good place for Buick to start as the Bolt sales seem to be healthier than the Volt . And the Buick Encore is next in line for electrification which will help with the new rules coming from China as that’s where the vehicle is currently built .
I do agree though , for these to sell better nation wide an AWD system is a necessity .