The doom and gloom surrounding GM in the U.S. feeds on the perception that the company can’t build desirable cars. In China, however, the Buick brand has seen a boom in popularity over the past few years, and it features a number of relatively upscale products.
GM is still developing global products, and at this week’s Shanghai auto show it debuted the Buick Business concept based on its upcoming Chevy Orlando small van, which will be sold in Europe.
The Buick Business is aimed at China’s growing middle class, who are the people moving the dial on the auto market there. A Buick in China costs less than a Mercedes but still holds status it doesn’t quite retain in the U.S.
The Business will likely be a hit in China, but it has little chance of being one of the company’s products in the U.S. There’s word GM is bringing the more affordable Chevy Orlando stateside in 2011 to compete with the Mazda5 and Kia Rondo.
We could be wrong, though. Do you think a small luxury van could sell in the U.S.? Check out more photos below and let us know what you think in the comments.