General Motors has just renewed its commitment to Buick‘s range of green vehicles, simultaneously launching two new Velite models – the exclusive sub-brand family of electrified models for China. A few weeks after revealing the first details, the company officially launched the all-new Buick Velite 7 EV in the Asian country along with an updated version of the Velite 6 plug-in hybrid.
2021 Buick Velite 7 EV
With them, Buick is expanding its EV presence in the in its largest-volume market through a strengthened portfolio, which includes distinctive design proposals and various powertrain solutions. In fact, the Velite 7 EV becomes the Tri-Shield brand’s first fully electric crossover, a key bid to win over younger customers and drive sales of zero-emission vehicles.
“There has never been such an ambitious rollout of two remarkable electrified products at the same time in Buick’s history in China. It demonstrates our long-term commitment to technology leadership in the electrification segment in our largest market,” said Executive Director of Buick Sales and Marketing at SAIC-GM, Molly Peck, in an official press release.
“With their contemporary styling, exceptional driving experience, trusted safety and reliability, and incredible connectivity functionality, we believe the Velite 7 and Velite 6 PHEV will change people’s perceptions of electric vehicles and convince more of them to make the move from traditional vehicles powered solely by petroleum to environmentally friendly vehicles powered by electricity,” she added.
2021 Buick Velite 6 PHEV
The Buick Velite 7 EV introduces a design language evolution for the brand’s electrified vehicles, with a distinctive front fascia and sophisticated body panels. As we reported last month, the subcompact crossover 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.
As for the updated Buick Velite 6 PHEV, it adopts the brand’s latest eMotion propulsion technology. The system includes a 1.5L internal combustion engine, an electronically controlled variable transmission (E-CVT), and a high-performance electric motor that produces 181 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Coupled with a 9.5-kWh battery pack, this powertrain offers a total range of up to 780 kilometers (485 miles).
The all-new Buick Velite 7 EV and Velite 6 PHEV are now available for sale in the Chinese market, with new customer-centric services including a free home charging station for easy daily use and the iBuick app to manage various vehicle functions. Additionally, both models carry an eight-year powertrain warranty and free 100-gigabyte OnStar 4G LTE data service each year. Here are their starting prices:
- Buick Velite 6 PHEV: 159,800 CNY (about $22,800 USD at the current exhange rate)
- Buick Velite 7 EV: 179,800 CNY ($25,680 USD)
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Comments
Nice looking vehicles. At those prices (us dollars), they would sell very well here.
Sad that GM will produce these vehicles for China but not for the US. 22k for the Velite 6 PHEV is almost half of what I paid for my 2017 Volt (not counting the tax incentive and GM discount).
These are both great looking cars and if I understand the article correctly GM is forming a sub-brand for Buick Electric cars in China. That strategy make a lot more sense that Cadillac’s US strategy, which will alienate existing Cadillac loyalists and threaten future sales and probably the future of the brand.
GM is keeping quiet on the fact that quality in GM China plants now exceeds the quality in GM US plants by a wide margin.
Healthy, fit workers produce better cars.
I’m a long time Buick owner – and I would purchase the Velite 7 today if it was offered in the US. It’s sporty and has the range that I need for my commute which is 118 miles round trip.
I’m a long time Buick owner – 20 years and love the brand. I’ve been waiting for the GM EVs for years and the Velite 7 is an EV I would purchase today. I have the opportunity to drive the “T – Model s” for work and I’m determined that my next purchase with be an EV as long as it has the range that I need. My commute is 118 miles round trip. GM a needs to sell this Buick in the US.