Future Buick Crossover On New GEM Platform Uncovered
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GM’s Buick brand is not standing still: besides the potential Buick Envoy midsize crossover based on the short wheelbase C1 platform as well as the upcoming Buick Enspire compact crossover off the E2 architecture, General Motors is developing another all-new crossover SUV for the Tri Shield brand.
Platform
From a platform standpoint, this future Buick crossover will be based on GM’s new Global Emerging Markets architecture, also known as the GEM platform, developed in conjunction with its Chinese joint venture partner, SAIC.
Thanks to a confidential document seen by GM Authority, we were able to learn that the project code for this future Buick CUV is JBUB. The acronym translates to the following:
- J – GEM architecture code
- B – B-segment vehicle
- U – crossover utility vehicle body style
- B – Buick brand
By comparison, the imminent second-generation Buick Encore will ride on the VSS-F platform (project code 9BUB).
Positioning
The future Buick crossover in question will be a subcompact (B-segment) model. In that regard, it will be roughly the same size as the Buck Encore.
Having two similarly-sized models is a strategy Buick has been utilizing to great success with its sedan offerings in China. For instance, the Buick Verano is a compact sedan positioned at the premium level, while the Buick Excelle is a similarly-sized compact sedan but is positioned downmarket, making it significantly more affordable.
As such, we expect this upcoming subcompact Buick crossover to be sold alongside as a less premium model alongside the next-generation Buick Encore. In that regard, this upcoming Buick CUV will be a closely related to the upcoming Chevrolet Tracker (program code JBUC), which will be positioned in China as a less premium alternative to the next-gen Chevy Trax.
Spied
This future Buick crossover was recently captured undergoing validation testing in China. The photos, published by Chinese news outlets, show a prototype with a partially-exposed front end, giving us the ability to see its design.
The front clip has a rather sporty appearance, with a grille featuring horizontal slats. The logo, meanwhile, is flanked by more prominent “wings” that flow outward into the rest of the fascia. Below is a sculpted front bumper cover with marked air intakes. Meanwhile, the rear window slopes quickly downward.
Production
According to the aforementioned document, SAIC-GM will begin production of the vehicle at its GM Norsom plant in Shenyang (Liaoning Province), the same facility where the future Chevrolet Tracker is expected to be manufactured.
Reveal & Availability
Production is forecasted to commence in June 2019. Given this information, and the advanced stages of the developmental prototype, we expect that this future Buick CUV will be revealed during the first half of next year.
Unlike the aforementioned Buick Envoy and Buick Enspire crossovers, we do not believe that this upcoming subcompact crossover will be made available outside of China, primarily since it rides on the low-cost GEM architecture. As such, it’s more likely that JBUB will be a China-only crossover offering.
Even so, this model will enable Buick’s crossover range to double from the three models currently to six CUVs – a move in accordance with the ongoing shift in buyers dynamics that favors CUVs over sedans.
Naming
It’s currently unknown what name will be assigned to this upcoming, subcompact Buick crossover. However, we would not be surprised that the name will work very well in China due to its China-first focus.
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Just more proof more is going on than what is just seen.
With GM’s recent moves it gives pause to wonder what else is going on.
The key to the future is what we have yet to learn.
To me, GM Authority’s report of this newest Buick crossover, as well as their recent comprehensive coverage on the Enspire concept’s features and the forthcoming Envoy, places the site at the top of automotive reporting. The other car news sites (and you know their names) don’t stay on top of things like this and should be embarassed! Congratulations, GM Authority!
Meanwhile I think that these new additions to the Buick lineup show GM’s continued interest in and appreciation of the brand. Whatever GM’s future is, it should include its original cornerstone, Buick.
I do have one question, what exactly will be taken away from the Encore so that this newest crossover is “less premium”? Will it not have multiple trim levels like Encore or not have an AWD option? Or?
Thank you.
Thanks, Christopher. We appreciate your comment and your participation.
Regarding your question, although we do not have all details project, it is expected that the vehicles of GEM platform have simpler technical elements and manufacturing materials with respect to models based on VSS-F. For example: suspension schemes, transmission, soundproofing, technological equipment, etc.
In short, this future Buick crossover will be cheaper to manufacture and maintain than the second generation Buick Encore.
If its made In china they can leave it to beaver ! People need to say NO to china and Mexican production!
Today I saw Honda small suv with big letters on the top of the windshield (MADE IN ONTARIO) well there’s your sign! LOL.
Hey Berry, you should read the article.
The car is going to be made in China for China. GMA says it won’t see the light of day in North America. So they are leaving it to beaver… or the dragon.. or whoever.
Exactly what should happen. Make it in China for China, America for America. Better yet, and “American company” like GM should support Americans first and foremost, especially since the AMERICAN taxpayer bailed GM out to the tune of $50 billion!!!!! Not use American taxpayers money to finance Chinese operations and fire American workers before the holidays thinking you might save a buck or two.
Meanwhile, Toyota, Mercedes, Honda, Chrysler, and even Ford are all pouring big money into plant and research investments in the U.S. Yup, Toyota and Honda building new plants and employing more American workers while GM tries to backstab the American worker, taxpayer and community.
Somehow people still cling to the delusion that the US should only export vehicles to the rest of the world and not import any. Most countries expect some reciprocal trade — either you build there — or you import some models built in that country to offset the ones that you are exporting there.
barry
The Honda must have been a CRV, because the HRV is made in Mexico. Along with the Honda Fit.
As a long time GM owner I feel kicked out the door since GM announced they would no longer produce 4 door sedans. I have been looking at foreign cars since and have come to realization that even though car or truck may have a U.S. name, it is most probably foreign made and esp now with GM all aglow with Chinese made products I am out the door. I will enjoy my Silverado (made in Mexico) and my Buick Lacrosse premium (Made in U.S.A.) and when those are used up I will go looking elsewhere unless GM changes which I am not expecting. Funny, but what GM is doing reminds me of what J. C. Penney did a few years ago when they dumped their successful lines and courted the new “young” buyers. Their stock is worth all of $1.03 today with the “WITH IT” modern look.
Raymond E. Frechette
Don’t be silly GM still builds the: Bolt, Sonic, Camaro, Corvette, Malibu, Colorodo, Silverado, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Express, Acadia, Yukon, Canyon, Sierra, Savana, Enclave, ATS, CTS, XT4, XT5 and Escalade in the U.S. With most Equinoxes coming from Canada. A growing number of these vehicles are exported to Mexico. Most of GMs engineering, designing and Testing is done in Michigan.
Meanwhile 9 out of the 10 Lexus models are imported, and all of Toyota’s Engineering and Testing is done in Japan.
* GM has 3 full sized pickup assembly plants 2 are in the U.S.(Flint & Fort Wayne)
** The Express & Savana are built by Navistar in Indiana.
Raymond – what you’re doing is looking at minuscule factors/events and then jumping to conclusions.
What you really need to do is to get a grasp on the whole picture… and that picture is that GM still contributes significantly more to the United States than any automaker (domestic or foreign), regardless of local manufacturing footprint.
First is the issue of “white collar jobs”. For every one of these positions, 5 auxiliary jobs are created. GM has more “white collar” employees in the United Sates than any other automaker. These people perform functions such as business planning, marketing, vehicle development (engineering, design, supply/sourcing), production management, financial/accounting, and various other supporting areas on the business side of the house.
Second is the issue of “blue collar jobs”. For every one of these positions, 2 auxiliary jobs are created. GM has more of these jobs than any other automaker doing business in the United States. Honda, Toyota, and others make some models in the U.S…. but not nearly as many as GM does.
Now, GM does make vehicles in plants outside the U.S. It does so for various highly complex reasons, all of which typically boil down to these three factors:
1. Risk management – as it relates to the political climate, exchange rate fluctuations, supplier risk management, etc.
2. Production volume, capacity and flexibility factors: it’s better business sense to have a few plants churning out similar product (vehicles using the same platform) so as to have production flexibility while also protecting against risk. An example of this is the vehicles made on the C1 platform (Enclave, Traverse, Blazer, Acadia, XT5), which currently span three plants: two in the U.S. and one in Mexico. The forthcoming Cadillac XT6 and upcoming Buick Envoy will be two more vehicles to add to that list.
3. Profit: make no mistake about it, GM is in the business of making cars to MAKE MONEY. They’re not here to support your ideologies; they are here to bring return on invested capital to themselves and their shareholders. Sure, they will do so while being as societally responsible as possible… which they are doing.
Toyota, Honda, and any other foreign automaker are no different in this matter… the only difference is that they are given handouts on a regular basis by their own government(s) in the form of subsidies or payments. GM has never received hese, unless one counts GM’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009, and that was a very unique transaction that wasn’t in the form of a subsidy, handout or payments but rather a structured way of keeping afloat a company that is vital to the financial and economic health of the United States.
So stop grasping at straws and pointing out tiny little examples that only serve to distract from the bigger picture. Follow the money… and you’ll see exactly who (and in what country) winds up with the revenue generated by Honda and Toyota. Hint: it isn’t people in the United States.
Ford now employs more hourly employees than GM in the us
But gm closes FOUR USA plants
Quantity is never the answer.
Cheaper than Encore? 10 years ago, GM was using Buick in comparison’s to Lexus. Encore can already be bought for $20,000 after rebates…… this new CUV is going to sell for $17,000 and compete with Lexus?
Sorry, but Buick doesn’t need this. It needs a CUV between the Envision and the Enclave. That is a huge size gap in their portfolio.
You have to look at the complete picture here.
This model is just for China… where Buick needs it. This will likely become Buick’s best-seller in the coming years as the crossover craze spreads there.
Lexus is a non-starter in China, and the Chinese market requires these low cost Buick models to maintain volume. So yes, it’s needed there… but it’s not needed in North America.
By having these low cost models as part of the Buick line, GM might as well just rename Buick to Chevrolet in China… but it can’t do that because Buick enjoys substantially higher interest and popularity there. So you’ll see Buick and Chevrolet get different body variants of the same cars… and the Buick variant will sell more because it’s a Buick. But for all intents and purposes, they don’t really deliver on being Buicks…
If it comes from China. It can go back. I am a long time Buick buyer but the last Buick I will ever have now sits in my drive way. Sad but I will not buy another Buick as much as I love my Buicks!!!
As the article clearly states, this vehicle is not coming to any North American markets. So it has no reason to “go back”, since it’s not coming here in the first place.
Glad we all read nowadays.
They can read it, but don’t/won’t comprehend. Sad.
General Motors is killing off production to sedans that are not selling well which includes the Buick LaCrosse; thus, one has to think of this as a possible LaCrosse replacement because the demand is for cross-over vehicles.
Right now I would like to purchase a full size GMC Acadia the size of an Enclave. GM seems more future product focused on China than North America. Didn’t GE try that many years ago?
This thing is for markets outside of the US. Then someday if market variables and conditions warrant they can upgrade it and certify it for US standards of crash worthiness and other safety and emissions related rigamarole, 😉
We’re beginning to see modular platforms taking place and there will be more to come. Expect Cadillac to have a modular platform for sedans, crossovers, EVs and hybrids mostly to itself.
They’d better not forget the disable switch for the automatic start/stop system.
That shortsighted/stupid decision to exclude the disable feature on the Enclave, Traverse, XT5, Blazer, Malibu, LaCrosse, and Regal have ruined those vehicles.
Don’t screw this one up too.
If it’s not for the US and if that’s where you happen to be, why worry about start/stop on this.
Apparently chinese people just really like Buicks, and there is space in the market for a multitude of these sub-compact CUVs.
I’m actually thinking that the Encore might away and be replaced with this.
To upgrade all their current models with some of the latest text safety stuff and not charge 45,000 for base models I would be really happy to consider a GM again unfortunately I’m a car buyer and not an SUV buyer and they’re giving up on the market entirely