Shanghai-GM Introduces New Buick Sedan to China

Shanghai-General Motors hopes to shake up sales by adding the LaCrosse to its roster. The Chinese LaCrosse is based on the domestic LaCrosse architecture, however it has been re-engineered for the unique Chinese market. It sports a new body shape on the outside and a different engine lineup and features on the inside.

The Chinese-market LaCrosse was redesigned in Shanghai by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a joint venture of General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. Group (SAIC).  The changes were made to please the Chinese market.

In a statement, Chris Gubbey, the Executive Vice President of Shanghai GM states "With its contemporary design, luxurious interior and superior handling, the LaCrosse epitomizes the Buick spirit of striving for excellence. It is targeted at those who want a vehicle that reflects their exquisite taste and desire to achieve. "

Consumers will have three models to choose from: the 2.4 Luxury model, priced at approximately $29,789, the 2.4 Elite model, priced at roughly $33,515, and the 3.0 Flagship model, priced around $41,000. Retailers are already taking orders with a delivery date expected in the second quarter of this year.

The North American LaCrosse comes with either a 3.8-liter V6 or a 3.6-liter V6, the former a 2-valve OHV mill and the latter a 4-valve DOHC engine with variable valve timing. Shanghai GM LaCrosse buyers, on the other hand, have two very different engine choices. First there is the ECOTEC D-VVT 2.4-liter all-alloy four-cylinder, which has a host of advanced features such as double variable valve timing,  as well as sequential fuel injection (SFI) and electronic throttle control (ETC). The second option is a 3.0-liter V6, which adopts the automakers Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder-deactivation system (previously named Displacement on Demand). The engine automatically shuts down half of the engine cylinders when not needed.

The styling of the Shanghai Buick is quite different from its North American cousin. The Shanghai LaCrosse has an oversized three-dimensional chrome-plated grille that butts up against a U-shaped hood. Horizontally shaped air intakes contrast with fog lamps on either side of the sedan. Specially designed low-air resistance side mirrors are inlaid with five LED indicator lamps. Three-dimensional circular tungsten tail lamps with jewel-like lenses light up the rear.

Inside, the vehicles uniqueness continues. The redesigned Buick comes with a Bluetooth hands-free communication system which permits the driver to receive calls through a hotkey on the steering wheel. It is also equipped with a powerful GPS audio cruise control system, and by a head-up display (HUD) system that shows information such as speed, a direction indicator, and even caller ID. Both front and rear passengers will be entertained by the cabin theater DVD system, which comes with 6.5-inch double display monitors in both front and back. Each can be independently controlled and the system allows users to enjoy DVDs, CDs and the radio all at once.

China is the worlds third largest vehicle market and Shanghai GM accounts for about 50 percent of General Motors sales in the country. Shanghai GM also assembles Chevrolet and Cadillac vehicles. Calendar year 2005 was a record year for the Asian manufacturer with 325,429 vehicles being sold. North American competitor Ford Motor Company also had a stellar year in China with sales rising by 46 percent to 82,225 vehicles. Europes number one carmaker, Volkswagen AG, had a rough 2005 in the worlds largest nation. It saw its market share fall from 25.2 in 2004 to 17.3 in 2005. And tougher times for may lay ahead for GM as well.

 

As reported in the China Daily: "Shanghai General Motors Companys sales will increase about 20 per cent this year, down from a 29 percent gain in 2005", states Gubbey. "Chinas passenger car market may grow by 16 percent this year after increasing by 23 percent last year. Chinese auto sales grew by more than 60 percent about three years ago. Since then there has been a lot more wait-and-see than expected, and now were reaching a much more stable level of growth."

 

However, in a statement issued by GM, Gubbey believes there is still a lot of room for growth. "Of every 1,000 drivers, only 20 own a car in China, compared with 700 in North America and 500 in Europe".