Photo: Buick
Question time! How many Buicks were sold in the United States in 2019? Make that 206,926 units, now try to guess how many Buicks were delivered in China last year. Despite a decrease of 17.58 percent over 2018, the American brand sold 871,506 units in the Middle Kingdom. How is that even possible?
Well, there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration, starting with body styles and demand. China loves premium and luxury sedans as much as it does minivans while the U.S. prefers crossovers and proper SUVs.
It’s because North America is falling out of love with traditional body styles that Buick will transition to a utility vehicle-exclusive brand in 2021 with the discontinuation of the Regal, Regal TourX, and Regal GS. Not that long ago, the LaCrosse full-size sedan was phased out of the U.S. lineup as well.
As the headline implies, the LaCrosse does soldier on in China thanks to the SAIC-GM joint venture with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. What the U.S. should have received as the mid-cycle refresh is now available to order in the People’s Republic in Avenir trim, and boy, does it look luxurious!
Now arriving at dealerships, the LaCrosse Avenir features a reshaped rear bench with better ergonomics and more luxurious upholstery than before. A PM 2.5 air filter and a larger panoramic roof come as standard equipment, joined by negative-ion air purification for the dual-zone auto climate control system.
Sitting at 5,030 millimeters (198 inches) long and featuring a wheelbase that stretches over 2,905 millimeters (114.3 inches), the top-of-the-range specification of the Chinese LaCrosse is propelled by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 174 kW and 350 Nm on tap. That’s 233 horsepower (237 PS) and 258 pound-feet of torque, OK-ish figures for a curb weight of 1,640 kilograms (3,616 pounds).
As for pricing, 289,800 yuan translates to $40,660 at current exchange rates. The U.S. specification for the 2019 model year used to retail at $44,870 with the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 as standard instead of the 2.0-liter motor.
It’s because North America is falling out of love with traditional body styles that Buick will transition to a utility vehicle-exclusive brand in 2021 with the discontinuation of the Regal, Regal TourX, and Regal GS. Not that long ago, the LaCrosse full-size sedan was phased out of the U.S. lineup as well.
As the headline implies, the LaCrosse does soldier on in China thanks to the SAIC-GM joint venture with the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. What the U.S. should have received as the mid-cycle refresh is now available to order in the People’s Republic in Avenir trim, and boy, does it look luxurious!
Now arriving at dealerships, the LaCrosse Avenir features a reshaped rear bench with better ergonomics and more luxurious upholstery than before. A PM 2.5 air filter and a larger panoramic roof come as standard equipment, joined by negative-ion air purification for the dual-zone auto climate control system.
Sitting at 5,030 millimeters (198 inches) long and featuring a wheelbase that stretches over 2,905 millimeters (114.3 inches), the top-of-the-range specification of the Chinese LaCrosse is propelled by a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder with 174 kW and 350 Nm on tap. That’s 233 horsepower (237 PS) and 258 pound-feet of torque, OK-ish figures for a curb weight of 1,640 kilograms (3,616 pounds).
As for pricing, 289,800 yuan translates to $40,660 at current exchange rates. The U.S. specification for the 2019 model year used to retail at $44,870 with the 3.6-liter naturally aspirated V6 as standard instead of the 2.0-liter motor.
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