GM to market two locally built Buick minivans in China
General Motors Co. says it will launch an all-new Buick GL8 luxury minivan, while continuing to sell the current version as a less expensive alternative to expand its presence in China's minivan market.
Both vehicles will be built by Shanghai GM, a joint venture between GM and SAIC Motor Corp.
Jointly developed by Shanghai General Motors and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), the all-new GL8 is longer, taller and wider than the model it replaces.
The new seven-passenger minivan is 5,256 mm long, 1,878 mm wide and 1,800 mm tall. Customers can choose a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. Prices range from 288,000 to 388,000 yuan ($43,000 to $57,900).
Meanwhile, Shanghai GM will continue to sell an upgraded version of the old GL8 minivan at a lower price than the all-new version.
The old version is 5,213 mm long, 1,847 mm wide and 1,750 mm tall. It will be fitted with a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine and will be priced at 228,000 to 248,000 yuan.
Both minivans will feature a six-speed automotive transmission.
"This dual-vehicle strategy will enable Shanghai GM to more fully address the MPV market, from the upper-medium to luxury segments," GM China said in a statement.
Since 1999, GM has sold more than 330,000 GL8 minivans in China, according to GM China. The Buick GL8's main competitors in China include the Honda Odyssey and Mazda8.
