As GM Authority reported last week when SAIC-GM revealed the interior design of the GL8 Century Avenir, General Motors has just officially launched the all-new 2023 Buick GL8 Century lineup in China.
The all-new 2023 Buick GL8 Century hits the Chinese market setting a new standard for premium mobility in the Asian country’s luxury MPV segment, which the GL8 nameplate has led since the first-generation model’s launch in 1999. In fact, the new GL8 Century is the most technologically advanced vehicle ever launched by the brand and once again elevates its position as Buick’s flagship in China.
“Buick is the pioneer and ongoing leader in the luxury MPV segment in China. Our successful GL8 family has continued to raise the bar over the years,” said General Director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM, Cesar Toledo. “Representing a ‘century’ of development from Buick, the GL8 Century provides unmatched spaciousness and integrates expressive design with intelligent technology as well as luxurious comfort. It will exceed the expectations of customers and take the brand to new heights,” he added.
Based on GM’s all-new full-size MPV architecture, the 2023 Buick GL8 Century was designed as a high-tech minivan and launches with either four- or six-seat variants to cater to a new generation of upper-class Chinese consumers, including business elites and celebrities. In addition to debuting the new Pure Design language, the GL8 Century features cutting-edge technologies and an unprecedented level of refinement.
Notably, the all-new 2023 Buick GL8 Century boasts the brand’s most luxurious cabin with four- and six-seat configurations that offer the most enjoyable experience in its class. Innovations include a new 30-inch Freeform display with maximum in-dash connectivity, multiple digital control knobs and the first-ever 32-inch sliding screen partition wall on the Flagship trim, which includes a touchscreen in the center console and a luxurious 8-inch digital clock.
Mechanically, the 2023 Buick GL8 Century comes standard with the turbocharged 2.0L I4 LSY engine in conjunction with SAIC-GM’s 48V mild hybrid system that adds an electric motor and 48V battery, delivering 233 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is mated to GM’s nine-speed automatic transmission, ensuring good dynamic performance and outstanding fuel efficiency.
The all-new 2023 Buick GL8 Century line-up is now available for sale throughout Buick’s extensive network of official dealers in China, the only country where the brand markets the full-size MPV. The model includes massive equipment with state-of-the-art technology and safety features, focused on offering a first-class premium travel experience. Here are the prices of the three versions of the 2023 GL8 Century in China:
- 2023 GL8 Century Avenir with six seats: 529,900 CNY (about $72,570 at the current exchange rate)
- 2023 GL8 Century Avenir with four seats: 609,900 CNY ($83,530)
- 2023 GL8 Century Flagship: 689,900 CNY ($94,490)
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Comments
It might be take it or leave it as far as styling goes, but the level of luxury and boldness are leaps and bounds beyond anything Buick offers in the U.S.
GM must bring this to America right away with a different name of course.
You can’t be a market leader in the domestic auto industry and NOT offer a minivan across your multiple brands.
Last year Toyota sold over 150 thousand Siennas. GM offered ZERO. Add in Kia, Honda and GM forfeited that market. In any other industry the CEO would be fired for not even offering something in a segment as lucrative.
Call it the Buick Century or Buick Estate if they want to keep that silly E naming thing?, but give dealers something.
How about no? No one will buy a minivan that starts at more than $70,000.
“Last year Toyota sold over 150 thousand siennas” that’s because the sienna starts at $32k. Less than half the starting price of this.
There is no market for a luxury minivan. Why do you think the Mercedes Benz R Class failed. Why do you think Audi/BMW/Lexus/Acura/Infiniti haven’t brought a luxury minivan to the US? There is nothing “lucrative” about the luxury minivan market because it’s non existent and has 0 demand in the US.
Most of the Siennas sold are over 50k. Some are in the 70k range. This would sell very easily as a premium model.
Why anyone would want to spend $70k on a Toyota minivan is beyond me.
Very nice mini van but probably not feasible in the USA. Not enough takers for a business case for GM to build or ship it here.
As big of a fan of minivans I am that is sadly probably the case. They could bring this to start with the competition in the low 30’s then have this top trim about 70k like shown above, but I still don’t think it would sell well enough and you know some on here would be complaining about it being built in China.
This is the same case though when those people complain GM should build a Raptor or Wrangler fighter, sadly they sell even less than the Sienna (the Raptor is somewhere around 15-20k per year) and is no way feasible in a saturated and small market. They have to run the business like a business, so what makes money needs to be produced. Look at Ford versus Gm now, yes Ford is doing some more exciting things, but they are in much worse of a financial spot than GM…
Lmao I wonder what the profit margin on a Raptor is vs. Sienna. Its not always about volume.
I wonder why these cars are released in China and not here?
Don’t forget about Chrysler. GM could bring a de contented version of this to US as a Chevy. Even if it sells 50 K units, an easy sell, it’s a win. You can’t give buyers a reason to go to other showroom.
I think Buick could sell this. Livery etc too. GL 8 name needs to go.
Because in China anyone that can spend $70000 on a vehicle can also afford to pay for a personal driver. In the US this vehicle is completely impractical unless you have Maybach money which you would of course spend on a Maybach and driver instead of a Buick.
Bring it to the United States!!!
GM, build and Ultium based minivan in the US, and I’ll buy one.
Please keep this fugly POS in China! A 4 cylinder…can’t get out of its own way. Styling…what styling, it’s any ugly box with a Lego front end. Just what drivers need is another means of distraction when the kids are fighting over what to watch on the TV in back.
For goodness sake what has happened to REAL design, styling and taste in the automotive industry? We don’t need any more bread boxes, box-on-box CUV/SUV’s or mall crawler pickups jacked up so high they can’t see what is in front of them and rearending sedans or sports cars. Same with the SUV/CUV’s that the drivers can’t see what’s in front or back of them. They think everybody has to watch out for them.
Really? You’re calling this beautiful Buick “fugly”? The exterior of this beautiful Buick is awesome, and so is the back end of the Buick. Buick knows how to design good looking vehicles, and you know it.
It’s very much a bland copy of other Asian minivans (with its tall front, chrome etc), and like most China Buicks, its styling has nothing whatsoever to do with Buick. Just like that Ultimum Buick SUV, so bland it could be on the labels of cleaning products in the automotive section.
I wouldn’t be surprised if this abomination was still based on the old U platform.
I think the premium minivan market in China is different. For example, if you can afford a luxury minivan you may also have your own chauffeur. Did you notice in the GL8, the amenities for the passengers in the second seat? That’s where the owner sits. Now, my information may be from a few years age, but I believe this situation in China still exists.
Bunch of clueless oblivious Communist China Party fans on this thread. Smh.
Nice futuristic looking minivan, fwiw.
Oh my! Nice vehicle. But does anyone realize what is missing?? There are no black, hispanic, or racially ambiguous people in the photos. I guess they don’t bother because they know the Chinese would laugh them out of the country. It’s nice to see some people love their country and want it to be safe, stable, and happy instead of the “diverse” chaotic West. Shame we can’t have nice things cuz libtards won’t let us. Double shame cuz nobody fights back like they do.
Looks like someone beat the front end with Lexus’s ugly stick.