General Motors revealed an updated version of its Buick Riviera concept vehicle today, April 19, on the eve of the highly anticipated Shanghai Auto Show.
"It is purely a concept, but I've got to tell you, through the development of this concept there is a lot that will have a significant influence on future Buicks," GM Vice President for Global Design Ed Welburn told reporters after the event.
The concept is a plug-in hybrid electric and will only become available in China for now with no word of a world-wide release. It's already received rave reviews from a number of media outlets for its futuristic look which was constructed under the leadership of Welburn.
Welburn said the new two-door coupe has an "athletic shape" with "elegant ambiance" at the auto show, adding that the keys to the vehicle is the blue, wing shaped light beams and waterfall grille.
The gull-wing doors were reportedly "just for show" and will not be included on production models, but the grille shown this week is close to what customers can expect in China according to Wellburn.
"With this new Riviera concept car, we can witness the future global development direction," said Ye Yongming, president of the Shanghai GM joint venture and vice president of GM partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp at the event.
The hybrid will have wireless charging capabilities, although GM did not reveal how long the vehicle will last on a single charge at the event according to The Detroit Free Press.
GM almost eliminated Buick back during its 2009 bankruptcy but decided it was too important in certain locations like China. The company sold the base Riviera from 1963 through 1999 according to Welburn.
"Buick has a very strong presence in China," said Namrita Chow, a Shanghai-based analyst for IHS Automotive, according to The Detroit Free Press. "But, I think they need to keep appealing to the new Chinese buyers. You've already got consumers who have bought their first Buicks. Now you've got to appeal to them when they buy their second one."
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