General Motors has filed to trademark Velite, GM Authority has uncovered.
Filed on January 26th, 2021 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the application is assigned serial number 97240685. The application was filed under the Goods and Services category of “Motor land vehicles, namely, automobiles.”
As many GM Authority readers will already know, the Velite name has already been applied to two separate Buick PHEV and EV models offered exclusively in China. The Buick Velite 6 is a plug-in hybrid compact with a 1.5L internal combustion engine, small electric motor and 9.5 kWh battery pack. This setup produces 181 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque and provides up to 780 kilometers (485 miles) of driving range.
Buick Velite 6
The Buick Velite 7, meanwhile, is a battery-electric subcompact crossover that shares GM’s BEV2 platform with the Chevy Bolt EUV. The Velite 7 is equipped with an electric motor that produces 175 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, along with a 55.6-kWh battery pack that offers a range of up to 500 kilometers (about 311 miles) on a single charge.
Buick Velite 7
GM has filed to trademark the Velite name several times in the past. It first filed to reserve the trademark back in 2012, then made similar filings in 2014 and in 2015. The name has so far only been applied to production Buick models in China, however with the premium brand set to introduce two new EVs in the near future, it seems possible the Velite name could be applied to one of its U.S. products in the near future.
Buick Electra Concept
GM recently filed to trademark Electra, as well, which is a historic Buick name that seems as though it would be well-suited to be applied to a future EV model from the brand. It seems possible one of the future Buick EV crossovers could receive the Electra name, while the other may be called Velite. We’re only speculating based on these recent trademark filings, though, so we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from GM for confirmation. As an aside, the Electra name was also applied to an electric Buick crossover concept that debuted in China back in 2020 (above).
The first electric Buick crossover model is expected to hit the market in 2024, with the second likely arriving shortly after. In the meantime, be sure to subscribe to GM Authority as we bring you the latest Buick Velite 6 news, Buick Velite 7 EV news, Buick Electra Concept news, Buick news and ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
Thank you, Sam, for this story. Do you think they’ll add the numeral “8” to the Velite name? I agree that it’s likely if Buick is introducing two electric crossovers that, since they trademarked two names, they will be called Velite and Electra. Here’s to 2024!
I’ve always really liked the paint they always use to show off the Chinese EV Buicks. What’s the name of that paint?
It’s called CCP blue. And it’s exclusive to china.
I have two questions. First, why on earth is GM killing Buick with zero EV’s till 2024? I just don’t understand how a company can ignore a brand so badly. Second, what is the electric range for the Velite 6? It just says the combined range, but not the electric range. Is that more like the old Chevy Volt with an electric range of around 50?
The Velite 6 comes in different versions. The PHEV with a 9.5KWh battery pack and 60km of electric range (NEDC) [780km total range]. The full EV version was recently updated with a 61.1KWh battery pack and rated at 518km NEDC. Keep in mind NEDC ratings yield much more generous range ratings than US EPA.
Nero, thanks. Now Buick just needs to get several PHEV or EV’s in the showroom yesterday, not in “maybe” 2024!!
Velite sounds like a new synthetic fiber, like polyester or rayon.
Truth, mainly because Vel… could means Véu in Portuguese which means this soft Wedding Face Textile.
Would prefer the Term ELITE… it is a car for fortunate pocket people.
Boring and forgettable name for another boring and forgettable vehicle.
Keep phoning them in…
So that’s what gm is doing with all of the batteries that they are removing from the 2017-2019 Bolts….
Is it me or is China getting all the great Buicks?
Well the Chinese buy twice as many if not triple the amount that Americans buy so it makes sense.
Hey guys 👦
I just happened to come across your conversation about Buick’s new Velite 7 EV. I am a Buick SUV owner in the US. When will the US be introduced to the new EV line-up? Just a curious senior citizen!