Today at the 2024 Beijing Auto Show GM brand Buick displayed a couple of EV concepts which ride on the Ultium platform. The Electra-L and the Electra-LT possibly preview a new EV for China.
There’s no denying that General Motors is not doing so well these days in China. Where once the Buick brand particularly seemed to sell by the truck load the company is now largely dependent on the SAIC-Wuling joint venture for sales with Buick, Chevrolet and Cadillac no longer appealing to consumers in the more developed cities due to the switch over to NEVs. So far GM has failed to come up with anything electric that has gained much traction.
Enter the Electra concepts. Designed by the SAIC-GM Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center with support from GM’s global resources the design gives a new direction to future electric Buick models.
The Electra-L has a length of 5036 mm and a wheelbase of 3000 mm and has a fastback sedan shape. It looks the closest to production of the pair. It is possible a production version will launch at next year’s Shanghai show at the latest. Currently the car features side view cameras, frameless doors and a minimalist interior. The eConnect intelligent cabin system is powered by AI and supports 7-screen linkage. Also powered by AI is the voice assistant and fragrance dispenser!
Meanwhile, the Electra-LT is a shooting brake complete with roof box. While obviously related to the Electra-L, the Electra-LT seems more removed from production. Up to around the C-pillar the two cars seem near identical with both having the same hood contours, side view camera and kinked running board leading into distinctive rear wheel arches. Although there are no pictures of the interior for the LT it allegedly has zero gravity seats, floating tea tables and a light sensing panoramic canopy.
Decked out in blast yellow the car has all-wheel drive. A real interior can be seen through the darkened out windows and so this along with the Electra-L may become a production car. These days shooting brakes seem to be quite popular as Chinese EVs and so a production version of the LT would be a good move for Buick to try to stem the decline in sales.
Source: Autohome
